BREATHING SPACE

In any careful consideration of the divisional examinations, the haste with which the Bible and Shakespeare examinations follow the midyears must stand out as an unnecessary and remediable fault. Less than ten days after the last midyear examination Juniors concentrating in History and Literature must undergo a test in two subjects which they have had to put out of mind for a considerable period. The nearness of these divisional to the midyears is in disregard of the understandable feeling of fatigue which comes after trial.

The coincidence of the test and the beginning of new courses in which it is important to get a good start offers a further difficulty. Moreover, if the early date is planned to prevent last minute cramming, it must fall, for the crammer believes ten days enough. The simple solution of postponing the examination one or two weeks would give sufficient respite without crowding the March tests known as April hours.