176 EXAMINATIONS IV 



and at University College, London. It is only by 

 close contact as a teacher with the actual class of 

 students who are submitted to any particular examina- 

 tion, that it is possible to form a really well-based 

 judgment as to the influence which the examination 

 system is exerting upon education, and it is only 

 by actual experience as an examiner that a correct 

 apprehension of the limitations and possibilities of the 

 examination system can be gained. 



Though I agree with the general statement of the 

 recently published protest that the examination system 

 is at the present moment exerting a most injurious 

 influence upon the youth of this country, I did not 

 feel able to join in signing the published paper on 

 account of the indiscriminate character of the attack 

 therein made. 



I have often thought that in these days of con- 

 gresses a conference of examiners might with advan- 

 tage be brought together in order to discuss the Art 

 of Examining, and if possible to frame some general 

 conclusions as to the best methods of examining in 

 various cases and for various ends, as well as to con- 

 sider the utility or inutility of examinations as at 

 present applied to a variety of purposes. 



It appears to me that it may very well be con- 

 ceded without discussion that it is likely that examina- 

 tion is useful and in every way satisfactory in regard 

 to some of the purposes to which it is at present 

 applied, whilst it may be productive of harm when 

 applied in relation to other purposes. 



No statement or discussion concerning examina- 



