That’s what they said in the 19th century about 6th grade.
Well ... a 6th grade education back then was 1000x better than a college diploma now.
NO WAY in h3ll a majority of high school, or even "college" kids would pass this test today
Could You Pass This Eighth-Grade Exam From 1912?
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From another website:
Can you pass the 6th and 8th Grade Final Exams of 1890? This is a handwritten essay test using no computers, notes or reference material. Everything must come out of your head in one sit down session in front of the teacher. There is a time limit of four hours. If you fail it as a 12 year old you are considered unsuitable for school and must do hard work on the farm all day for the next six years without pay. Also if you fail it you will have a free trip to the woodshed where father will administer a thorough switching to your bare butt with a willow switch. Many parents took education very seriously. They also had to pay taxes for the schools whether their kids went or not. I remember my grandfather who only had an 8th grade education helping me with my square roots in high school and correcting me on math problems and in other topics when he was in his 80s. He said he learned all subjects well because he had to recite them to the teacher and then help teach the younger kids in a one room school. Using correct spelling, grammar and good hand writing elaborate in essay form the answers. Use no notes.
U.S. History1. Name the parts of the Bill of Rights and explain which rights they protect.2. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War. 3. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion. 4. Tell what you can of the history of Michigan.5. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?6. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, and 1865?
Geography 1. Name each of the states in the USA and give its capital.2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Michigan?3. Describe the mountains of N.A. 4. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?5. Describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, and Orinoco.6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.7. Name all the republics of Europe and give capital of each.8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.10.Describe the movements of the earth. Give inclination of the earth.
Arithmetic1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?