And who says exams are getting easier, eh? The New York Times has just published a pdf of the Harvard Entrance Exam for 1869

Now TheEye must confess to a bit of an advantage with the Mathematics questions, and most of the History and Geography question look achievable; but Latin, Greek, Virgil, and Caesar’s Commentaries? Not a chance.

US Universities such as Harvard and Columbia advertised for students steadily through August and September and right up to opening day in October. Entrance exams were even offered the weekend before classes resumed to give students every chance of taking and passing them. Unheard of these days, and it’s a thought that would send a shudder down the spine of anyone filling out an UCCA form now (or whatever they’re called these days; uttered with a Wasn’tlikethatinmyday DailyMailesque frown).

Still, give it a scan, see how you do. TheEye could well use some of it as the basis of the next pub quiz I’ve got to write…so for those readers who come to that regular event here is your chance to preview next weeks questions 🙂

Hint to start you off: the answer to No1 is “Me non refero quam divitem esse Gygen”