Examinations arouse strong emotions among writers on education and even, as in the case of the ‘eleven plus’, among the ordinary public. They are much more often attacked than defended, though their hold shows no sign of slackening. They have for a century been an essential part of the context of English society. They are unpopular, but we have found no better means of fulfilling the tasks which they set out to perform.

In recent years several books have been published which show a growing interest in them. Among these books may be mentioned the collection of lectures, Examinations and English Education (1961), edited by Stephen Wiseman. In 1965 R. J. Montgomery's Examinations gave an account of their evolution as administrative devices. The World Year Book of Education, 1969, is entirely devoted to them. It discusses their aims and efficiency, their organization and structure, the problems of selection, and their effects, economic, social and educational. This very wide-ranging book will obviously become a standard work of reference.

The purpose of this study is different and more limited. It is an account of the historical origins of the modern examination system, particularly in England though some material is included on Scotland and on the colonies. The works already named and others which might also be mentioned, are chiefly concerned with modern problems and consider historical issues as ancillary to them. The objective of this book is to seek out the source from which the early Victorians drew the ideas of open competition and public examination.