478 



EEPORT — 1889. 



Average difference for 32 boys 



= 1-375 for max. 50. 

 = 8-75 per cent. 



Nineteen of the twenty Army boys were subsequently examined in 

 English essay, the essays being marked independently by two examiners, 

 with the following results : 



Greatest difference =35 



Least difference =3 



Per cent. 

 Average difference . = 16'7 



Comparing the average difference, 16'7 per cent., between the marks 

 of the examiners in English essay, with the average difference, 9"5 per 

 cent., for the same boys, between the marks of the medical examiners, it 

 seems fair to conclude that the marks assigned by the latter are at least 

 as trustworthy as those given for English essay, which may be taken as a 

 sample subject in a literary examination. 



It is hoped that similar experiments will be undertaken at other 

 places, so that materials may be obtained for the comparison and discussion 

 of different systems of marking, and for the construction, ultimately, of 

 the best systems. Such experiments would be rendered all the more 

 valuable by the introduction of fresh points of examination, and by 

 variations in the method of assigning the marks for the different points. 



