Exams have been around since the early days of learning. In ancient civilizations a student’s knowledge was tested by an oral examination. This was done by the teacher questioning them in front of others to determine if another class would be required or if they could proceed to the next level. In China students had to show their skills with string and knot, a needle, and a bow. They were required to demonstrate their knowledge by tying the various bows correctly and swiftly. Students who could not do so had to continue studying until they mastered the skill, and repeat any elements of instruction where the student demonstrated weaknesses.
Who invented exams?
Schools exams are invented by Henry Fischel, a Jewish-German mathematician in 1841. Exams are believed to have been around much longer than that! The first school examinations occurred in China about 2200 years ago when students were required to demonstrate their knowledge by tying together the various bows correctly and swiftly according to teacher’s questioning; those who could not do had to continue studying until they mastered the skill, and repeat any elements of instruction where the student demonstrated weaknesses.
The first school examinations occurred in China about 2200 years ago when students were required to demonstrate their knowledge by tying together the various bows correctly and swiftly according to teacher’s questioning; those who could not do had to continue studying until they mastered the skill, and repeat any elements of instruction where the student demonstrated weaknesses.
At first exams were used to determine if students should be promoted within the ranks of their profession, but it wasn’t until the early 11th century that exams were introduced as a way to determine if an individual had learned enough to be considered an educated person.
In China students took exams during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907). The Chinese scholar-bureaucrats who wanted to enter government were required to pass examinations that tested their knowledge of literature and philosophy, which allowed for social mobility.
At the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) an imperial decree made education compulsory for those who wanted to hold office. In 730 A.D., examinations based on Confucian texts began being used as part of a civil service system within China.
In India students who wished to join the priesthood had to pass public tests. Those who qualified became priests or monks in one of the four recognized religious orders in Hinduism — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Sakta and Smarta – and studied Hindu scriptures (shastras) as well as one of many branches of Sanskrit literature.
In Europe, university students in the 11th and 12th centuries had to pass oral examinations (disputations) as well as written assignments. The oral examinations were conducted by a master or scholar who had taken his degree within the past year – he was called a “don” because he would have been “done” with his studies. The purpose of this examination was to test student knowledge of their textbooks. At first each school and each Faculty at a University set up its own requirements for admission to an exam but in the early 40’s Henry II outlaws all these barriers except those put up by Oxford and Cambridge.
Partly out of need for better clergy, universities started requiring that faculty members themselves be examined for their knowledge to become a professor or lecturer.
In Scotland the first university at Edinburgh was founded in 1583 and allowed ambitious young men from all over the world to come together, learn from each other and receive an education that would prepare them for whatever profession they chose to follow. All teaching was oral; there were no written examinations until 1852, when Queen’s College, Belfast was established.
By 1749 Oxford and Cambridge Universities began requiring a dissertation (original contribution to knowledge) as part of a doctorate. This requirement gave rise to modern research paper writing. The dissertation had six components: title page, abstract, introduction with hypothesis, literature review with bibliography and footnotes using primary sources (not secondary), discussion of findings, and conclusions.
The dissertation was the model for research papers that students still write today. The first teaching hospital in London was founded in 1731.
Why were exams invented?
Exams were invented to answer a number of purposes.
The first purpose was to determine if students should be promoted within the ranks of their profession, but it wasn’t until the early 11th century that exams were introduced as a way to determine if an individual had learned enough to be considered an educated person.
The second purpose why exams were invented was to provide a means for students to show their knowledge of specific subjects. This allowed for the formation of education and professional qualifications.
Partly out of need for better clergy, universities started requiring that faculty members themselves be examined for their knowledge to become a professor or lecturer.
The third purpose exams were created was a way to make sure teachers knew what they were teaching by having them write papers, research papers in modern times, as part of their degree programs.
The fourth and final purpose exams were invented is to determine the level of learning on a particular topic that has been achieved by students after completion of certain courses at school or university. Examinations also serve purposes such as helping instructors decide what material should be covered in future courses and identifying students’ strengths and weaknesses.
Exams were invented due to all of these reasons, but most importantly it was a way for students to achieve certain levels of knowledge in their respective fields.
Who invented exams?
Exams were originally used to determine if a student was capable of holding higher office or if they should be promoted within their profession; China began using examinations as part of a civil service system during the Sui Dynasty (581-907). People who wanted to enter government had to pass exams that tested their knowledge of literature and philosophy; India students who wished to join the priesthood had to pass public tests, and those who qualified became priests or monks.
Where in Europe were university students required to pass oral examinations?
In Europe, both Oxford and Cambridge Universities began requiring a dissertation as part of a doctorate starting in 1749; The dissertation had six components: title page, abstract, introduction with hypothesis, literature review with bibliography and footnotes using primary sources (not secondary), discussion of findings, and conclusions. By 1749 Oxford and Cambridge Universities began requiring them for a doctorate degree.
When was the first teaching hospital founded?
The first teaching hospital was founded in London in 1731.
When were the first exams taken in America?
In 1701, Harvard University held its first Commencement which included oral examinations. Also, the College of William and Mary was founded in 1693 and required students to pass written examinations; both Yale and Columbia Universities were established in 1701 with no formal entrance requirements.(McHenry)
Why are there written exams at universities today?
Today higher education has grown as a business that requires an educated workforce so it makes sense for degrees to require some sort of test or exam as part of their curriculum. Exams originated from the need for teachers to keep up with the times and stay ahead of their profession through research papers that resulted in a dissertation (original contribution to knowledge); or to establish that they were ready for promotion within their profession.
References:
- A Brief History of Written Examinations | Public Examinations Examined
- A Brief History of Exams – Northwest Career College
- How have school exams changed over the past 150 years?
- The Historical Background: examinations and control in pre‐modern China
- Examinations | Ancient History
- The History of Entrance Examinations on Jstor
- THE SYSTEM OF SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE POSITION OF HISTORY IN THE HIGHER CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
- Oral examinations: an historical note – Bernard Spolsky, 1990
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