p22  Chapter VIII

Nature of the Preliminary Academical Examination

If candidates were always fully informed as to the nature of this examination, in time for them to make preparation, there would be comparatively few failures at admission. Many go to the Academy with the belief  p23 that they must be well up in the most advanced studies, and fail to realize until it is too late that they are only required to have a fair knowledge of the most elementary. They have ample opportunity to soar into the flights of knowledge after admission, but to be admitted they are only required to know what a young man with few or no opportunities but a studious application does know.

Candidates must be well-versed in reading, in writing, including orthography, and in arithmetic, have a knowledge of the elements of English grammar, of descriptive geography, particularly of our own country, and of the history of the United States.

In Reading, candidates must be able to read understandingly, and with proper accent and emphasis;

In Writing and Orthography, they must be able to write from dictation sentences from standard pieces of English literature both prose and poetry, and sufficient in number to test the qualifications both in hand-writing and orthography;

In Arithmetic, they must be able

First, To explain, accurately and clearly, it's objects in the manner of writing and reading numbers — Entire — fractional — compound, or denominate:

Second, to perform with facility and accuracy, the various operations of addition — subtraction — multiplication and division of whole numbers, abstract and compound, or denominate, giving the rule for each operation with its reasons, and also for the different methods of proving the accuracy of the work;

Third, to explain the meaning of reduction — it's different kds — Its application to denominate numbers in redu­cing them from a higher to a lower denomination  p24 and the reverse, and two equivalent decimals; to give the rule for each case with its reasons, and to apply readily these rules practical examples of each kind:

Fourth, to explain the nature of prime numbers, and factors of a number — of a common divisor of two or more numbers, and particularly of the greatest common divisor — with its use, and to give the rule, with its reasons, for obtaining it; also the meaning of a common multiple of several numbers particularly of their least common multiple and its use, and to give the rule, with its reasons, for obtaining it, and to apply each of these rules two examples:

5th, to explain the nature of fractions, common or vulgar, and decimal — to define the various kinds of fractions with the distinguishing properties of each — to give all the rules for their reduction; particularly from mixed to improper and the reverse — from compound or complex to simple — to their lowest terms — to a common denominator — from common to decimal and the reverse; for their addition — subtraction — multiplication and division, with the reason for each change of rule, and to apply each rule to examples:

6th, To define the terms, ratio and proportion — to give the properties of proportion and the rules, and their reasons, for stating and solving questions in both simple and compound proportion, or single and double rule of three, and to apply these rules two examples:

7th, The candidates must not only know the principles and rules referred to above, but they are required to possess such a thorough understanding of all the fundamental operations of arithmetic as will enable them to combine the various principles in the solution of any complex problem which can be solved by the methods of arithmetic. In other words they must possess normal  p25 such a complete knowledge of arithmetic as will enable them to take up but wants to hire branches of mathematics without further study of arithmetic:

Eighth, it is to be understood that the examination in these branches may be either written or oral, or partly written and partly oral — that the definitions and rules must be given fully and accurately, and that the work of all examples, whether up on the black-board, slate, or paper, must be written plainly and in full, and in such a manner as to show clearly the mode of solution.

The following examples and questions in Arithmetic are a few of those which have been used at past examinations. They are given in order to indicate more clearly what is required, but it should be distinctly understood that entirely different ones are used each year. zzz

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