Word: rank-lists
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...examinations by the manner in which they dim the keenness of the moral perceptions of those affected by them. The mind will not be broadened by an education which is built on the competitive examination system; rather, it will be narrowed by the most superficial and selfish ambition-the rank-list. Knowledge is no longer sought for knowledge's sake, but as an instrument for securing prizes and scholarships. And it too often happens that knowledge is not sought at all, but merely the scholarships and prizes. A false, superficial learning, a knowledge "crammed" just before examinations often serves...
...Substitute the following for the latter part. The four annual aggregates of each member of the graduating class are reduced to a uniform standard and combined to form a final rank-list, called the General Scale...
...recurrence of examinations invites attention again to our system of marking at Harvard. During the interval between the mid-years and the annuals, we are gradually informed as to the results of the first examinations, while the annual rank-list gives the results for the year. Many men are studying with special objects in view, and in the conditions under which scholarships and honors are granted, we often find an entirely arbitrary standard of excellence. There are always men "on the line" who are exultant in case of success, but who suffer corresponding grief in case of failure; in both...
...custom has become an abuse, and this has produced confusion everywhere. Then it is thought best for a student to concentrate his mind on the same subjects during the academic year. All courses, including extras, in which the student receives the required per cent will be placed on the rank-list, but extra courses will not be credited on the Annual Scale. All things considered, we cannot find fault with the Faculty for making the new rule. But we hope that all the Professors will adapt themselves to the elective system and voluntary recitations, so that there will...
Again, when a student has four examinations on four successive days, as was frequently the case during the late mid-years, it is a physical impossibility to do himself justice, - a fact that the rank-list will probably bring to light, - and not a few broke down under the pressure. This mixed system of hour and mid-year examinations is, then, very unsatisfactory, if not pernicious, in its result; and one way of getting rid of the difficulty is to have no hour examinations, and give all the marks on the mid-years and annuals, but with the time...