THE UNIVERSITY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1930, Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

SENATE’S DECISION

The Senate of the New Zealand University to-day decided that the minimum marks required in entrance examinations remain as at present, that the present method of reviewing the results on the boarderline be continued, also that the, executive committee consider the question of the adjustment of: marks... . »

At the last entrance scholarship examinations there were 185 candidates of whom 10 were awarded University Junior Scholarships, 20 were, awarded University National Scholarships,, and four Taranaki Scholarships. Seventy-seven passed with credit and .63 others qualified .for matriculation. There, ,vyere 4586 candidates for the University Entrance, examination of whom 2217 pqfssed. Dr addition there were 1069 candidates for the accountants’ preliminary examination, of whom 54 gained a full pass, 349 qualified for a partial pass, and 171 completed a partial pass. The Committee of University Entrance examination reported as follows :

(1) Methods of determining pass oi failure—

(a) That the minima required in the different subjects (40 per cent, in English and 30 per cent, in other subjects) and the average required for the aggregate (45 per cent.) remain as at oresent.

■ (h) That the present method of reviewal of results on the, borderline by the executive committee be continued.

Note: The scheme adopted by the Bmiat# in 1929 on the recommendation of the Academic Board aimed at minimising the hardship that resulted in the case of good candidates who fell short of the minimum, in one subject only, by n few marks. It was laid down that, such failure in a single subject mi>bt. be compensated by excellence in a single subject or group cognate subjects.

(2) Remarking of scrips in entrance examinations—

fa) That no candidate be allowed to have his papers reconsidered in more

than two subjects; application to be made not later than the last day of February; the fee for each subject to be £l, of which the examiner shall re-

ceive os and to he returnable at the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor.

: Note : .The total number ..of applications for recount in 1928, the last year in which this was permitted,, was 240. Of these only 11 were successful. There is no reason to believe that reconsideration, though not required by the University, was generally given by examiners. The total number o>f candidates was 4336.

(3) Rescaling or adjustment oi marks—

That the whole queston be referred to the Executive Committee, which has the matter in hand, and has already communicated with the Civil Service Commissioners, London, Asking for information with regard to the Bryan “sheet” system of adjustment. . (4) Instructions to. examiners—•

■ That a small committee,. consisting of the Vice-Chancellor and Mr Morrell redraft a detailed set of instructions to examiners for the entrance examinations, this committee to report to the executive committee, which shall have power to act in the. matter. Note: All assistant examiners for entrance examinations are now appointed by the exectutive committee. The report was adopted. ;