Natural Science at Cambridge

Abstract

THE Cambridge Natural Science Tripos has just entered upon a new phase of existence. The recent examination is the first in which a division into two parts, elementary and advanced, is carried out, the former being held in June and the latter in December. Candidates who do not satisfy the examiners in the first part are not permitted to compete in the second. The final class-list is to be based on the alphabetical principle, but the first class will consist of two divisions, each arranged alphabetically, and the subject or subjects for which a man is placed in the first class are to be indicated, while a special mark will reward superior proficiency. This system removes some of the worst faults of the competitive system, and is of especial benefit to the more able men. One subject will not be pitted against another as regards marks, an accumulation of cramming in several subjects will not serve an inferior man, and clear testimony will be given that a man has a competent knowledge of a subject, or that he is specially proficient in it. With such arrangements, the value of the examination will largely depend upon the wisdom of individual examiners. It will be obvious that there should be at least two examiners in each subject instead of one. Also the pittance they receive should be transformed into fair remuneration, which will, no doubt, be done as soon as the University has more funds at its disposal.