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Exams Collection

"Exams: A Journey Through Time and Achievement" From the first Durham University Exam in 1842 to the nerve-wracking GCSE results day at Blakelaw School in 1997

Background imageExams Collection: A class at Poundwick junior School in Woodhouse Park sit for their Grammar School

A class at Poundwick junior School in Woodhouse Park sit for their Grammar School entrance examination March 1954

Background imageExams Collection: Durham Univ Exam 1842

Durham Univ Exam 1842
Examination of the students of the University of Durham

Background imageExams Collection: Before the Exam (engraving)

Before the Exam (engraving)
8672576 Before the Exam (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Before the Exam. Boy studying)

Background imageExams Collection: Divers examining the wreck of the 'Royal Adelaide', 1850

Divers examining the wreck of the 'Royal Adelaide', 1850
3359199 Divers examining the wreck of the 'Royal Adelaide', 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting divers examining the wreck of the 'Royal Adelaide', lost off Margate)

Background imageExams Collection: Mobile dentist examining children at a rural school (b/w photo)

Mobile dentist examining children at a rural school (b/w photo)
8635907 Mobile dentist examining children at a rural school (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mobile dentist examining children at a rural school)

Background imageExams Collection: Army doctor conducting a physical exam on a young World War I recruit

Army doctor conducting a physical exam on a young World War I recruit. Washington, DC, 1917 (b/w photo)
7134277 Army doctor conducting a physical exam on a young World War I recruit. Washington, DC, 1917 (b/w photo); (add.info.: Army doctor conducting a physical exam on a young World War I recruit)

Background imageExams Collection: Illustration for The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (litho)

Illustration for The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (litho)
8664685 Illustration for The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (litho) by Furniss, Harry (1854-1925) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sally Brass under examination)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination of the larynx using an electric polyscope (coloured engraving)

Examination of the larynx using an electric polyscope (coloured engraving)
8655708 Examination of the larynx using an electric polyscope (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExams Collection: A diver examining the wreck of the HMS Euridice, 1850

A diver examining the wreck of the HMS Euridice, 1850
3359183 A diver examining the wreck of the HMS Euridice, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a diver examining the wreck of the HMS Euridice. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageExams Collection: Oxford: The Schools, from Exeter College Garden (engraving)

Oxford: The Schools, from Exeter College Garden (engraving)
8675570 Oxford: The Schools, from Exeter College Garden (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Schools, from Exeter College Garden)

Background imageExams Collection: Students receiving their GCSE results at Blakelaw School. 21st August 1997

Students receiving their GCSE results at Blakelaw School. 21st August 1997

Background imageExams Collection: Death by Numbers

Death by Numbers
Dhruv

Background imageExams Collection: David H. Young examining Cotton Stocking, Washington DC, USA, 1941 (b/w photo)

David H. Young examining Cotton Stocking, Washington DC, USA, 1941 (b/w photo)
5974361 David H. Young examining Cotton Stocking, Washington DC, USA, 1941 (b/w photo) by Harris & Ewing (1905-45); Private Collection; (add.info.: David H)

Background imageExams Collection: Microcosm of London, Early 19th century (print)

Microcosm of London, Early 19th century (print)
7315202 Microcosm of London, Early 19th century (print) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Guildhall. Examination of a bankrupt before his creditors)

Background imageExams Collection: Postcard for Graduation Congratulations, c. 1910 (colour photo)

Postcard for Graduation Congratulations, c. 1910 (colour photo)
1701955 Postcard for Graduation Congratulations, c.1910 (colour photo) by French School, (20th century); (add.info.: Postcard of congratulations for a young girl who obtained a diploma, c. 1910)

Background imageExams Collection: Sella stercoraria, chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope (woodcut)

Sella stercoraria, chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope (woodcut)
7186182 Sella stercoraria, chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope (woodcut) by German School, (17th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sella stercoraria)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London

Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London to a pupil of
7148810 Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London to a pupil of Moreland Street School, 1887 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey

Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1875 (colour litho)
7148803 Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1875 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Higher school certificate awarded by the University of London to a pupil of Sir Walter St Johns

Higher school certificate awarded by the University of London to a pupil of Sir Walter St Johns School, Battersea
7148838 Higher school certificate awarded by the University of London to a pupil of Sir Walter St Johns School, Battersea, London, 1922 (litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Examination of Robespierre (photogravure)

Examination of Robespierre (photogravure)
7169711 Examination of Robespierre (photogravure) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Examination of Robespierre)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey

Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1877 (colour litho)
7148808 Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Boys School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1877 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Launceston High School, Cornwall

Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Launceston High School, Cornwall, by the Royal Drawing Society
7148806 Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Launceston High School, Cornwall, by the Royal Drawing Society, 1914 (litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Man examining a coin (colour litho)

Man examining a coin (colour litho)
7150205 Man examining a coin (colour litho) by Clarke, Joseph Clayton (Kyd) (1856-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man examining a coin, humorous card)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of East Crompton School, Manchester, 1879 (colour litho)

Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of East Crompton School, Manchester, 1879 (colour litho)
7148825 Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of East Crompton School, Manchester, 1879 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Clarks Civil Service and Commercial College, Chancery Lane, London (litho)

Clarks Civil Service and Commercial College, Chancery Lane, London (litho)
7148860 Clarks Civil Service and Commercial College, Chancery Lane, London (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Clarks Civil Service and Commercial College)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London

Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London to a pupil of
7148805 Examination certificate for reading, writing and arithmetic awarded by the School Board for London to a pupil of Clapham Park Road School, 1887 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Examination of Guy Fawkes (engraving)

Examination of Guy Fawkes (engraving)
7152661 Examination of Guy Fawkes (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Examination of Guy Fawkes)

Background imageExams Collection: Objects in a memory test (litho)

Objects in a memory test (litho)
7186419 Objects in a memory test (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Objects in a memory test)

Background imageExams Collection: Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Girls School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey

Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Girls School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1880s (colour litho)
7148801 Examination certificate awarded to a pupil of Christ Church Girls School, Surbiton Hill, Surrey, 1880s (colour litho) by English School

Background imageExams Collection: Crammed for an Examination (engraving)

Crammed for an Examination (engraving)
7177905 Crammed for an Examination (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Crammed for an Examination)

Background imageExams Collection: Entrance to the Examination Hall of the University, Peking (b / w photo)

Entrance to the Examination Hall of the University, Peking (b / w photo)
3642154 Entrance to the Examination Hall of the University, Peking (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExams Collection: Two patients being examined, Dentists room, Seton Hospital, Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx

Two patients being examined, Dentists room, Seton Hospital, Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx
1078932 Two patients being examined, Dentists room, Seton Hospital, Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx, October 30, 1914 (b/w photo) by Hassler

Background imageExams Collection: Blobbs working for the 'Exam'(engraving)

Blobbs working for the "Exam"(engraving)
2792633 Blobbs working for the " Exam" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExams Collection: Oxford, Examination Schools (b / w photo)

Oxford, Examination Schools (b / w photo)
3093206 Oxford, Examination Schools (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oxford, Examination Schools)

Background imageExams Collection: Oxford Examination Schools, Marble Staircase (b / w photo)

Oxford Examination Schools, Marble Staircase (b / w photo)
5986796 Oxford Examination Schools, Marble Staircase (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oxford Examination Schools, Marble Staircase)

Background imageExams Collection: Eastern rosella and yellow-crowned amazon

Eastern rosella and yellow-crowned amazon
Eastern rosella, Platycercus exams, and yellow-crowned amazon, Amazona ochrocephala. Perruche omnicolore et Perroquet tete jaune

Background imageExams Collection: Girls taking exams at the Hotel de Ville (colour litho)

Girls taking exams at the Hotel de Ville (colour litho)
2818660 Girls taking exams at the Hotel de Ville (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girls taking exams at the Hotel de Ville, Paris. A l Hotel de Ville)

Background imageExams Collection: The Trial Against The Brigand Musolino At The Assizes Of Lucca

The Trial Against The Brigand Musolino At The Assizes Of Lucca, The Examination Of Witnesses (colour litho)
2798546 The Trial Against The Brigand Musolino At The Assizes Of Lucca, The Examination Of Witnesses (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExams Collection: La Maison Rouge trade card, the eve of the exams (chromolitho)

La Maison Rouge trade card, the eve of the exams (chromolitho)
963866 La Maison Rouge trade card, the eve of the exams (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Maison Rouge, fabrics of all kind)

Background imageExams Collection: 'What is the good of exams?'(engraving)

"What is the good of exams?"(engraving)
2781307 " What is the good of exams?" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " What is the good of exams)

Background imageExams Collection: City of London School: An Examination (b / w photo)

City of London School: An Examination (b / w photo)
3102029 City of London School: An Examination (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: City of London School: An Examination)

Background imageExams Collection: Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas)

Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas)
INN169477 Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) by Farren, Robert (b.1832-fl.1889); Private Collection; eMalcolm Innes Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Background imageExams Collection: Annual examination in Trinity College, Cambridge, May 1842 (litho)

Annual examination in Trinity College, Cambridge, May 1842 (litho)
5229984 Annual examination in Trinity College, Cambridge, May 1842 (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Annual examination in Trinity College, Cambridge)

Background imageExams Collection: Wrong! Next Boy! (engraving)

Wrong! Next Boy! (engraving)
3643605 Wrong! Next Boy! (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wrong! Next Boy! Illustration for The Boys Own Annual, 1893)

Background imageExams Collection: Taking writing exams in Tonkin (colour litho)

Taking writing exams in Tonkin (colour litho)
2818661 Taking writing exams in Tonkin (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Taking writing exams in Tonkin. Au Tonkin. Les examens des lettres)

Background imageExams Collection: Preparing for Examinations, 1864 (oil on canvas)

Preparing for Examinations, 1864 (oil on canvas)
SRM96567 Preparing for Examinations, 1864 (oil on canvas) by Repin, Ilya Efimovich (1844-1930); 38x46.5 cm; State Russian Museum, St

Background imageExams Collection: Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477)

Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477)
INN259704 Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477) by Farren, Robert (b.1832-fl.1889); Private Collection; eMalcolm Innes Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Background imageExams Collection: Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477)

Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477)
INN259703 Degree Morning at Cambridge in 1863 (oil on canvas) (detail of 169477) by Farren, Robert (b.1832-fl.1889); Private Collection; eMalcolm Innes Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright



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"Exams: A Journey Through Time and Achievement" From the first Durham University Exam in 1842 to the nerve-wracking GCSE results day at Blakelaw School in 1997, they have been a constant presence in our educational journey. They hold the power to shape our futures, sometimes even resulting in "Death by Numbers. " In David H. Young's captivating photograph of Cotton Stocking examination in Washington DC, USA, back in 1941, we witness the intensity and focus that exams demand from students, and is a microcosm of London itself during the early 19th century when exams became an integral part of education. Fast forward to c. 1910 with a colorful postcard capturing graduation congratulations; it symbolizes both relief and accomplishment after successfully conquering countless examinations. However, not all they can academic - take Sella stercoraria for instance, a chair used to confirm the masculinity of the Pope through an unusual woodcut process. Certificates awarded throughout history provide tangible proof of hard work paying off. From Moreland Street School's reading, writing, and arithmetic certificate granted by the School Board for London in 1887 to Christ Church Boys School's recognition on Surbiton Hill just two years later – these litho prints represent milestones achieved through rigorous examinations. The Higher school certificate awarded by Sir Walter St Johns School underlines how they were gateways to higher education opportunities offered by prestigious institutions like the University of London. Such certificates held immense value as they opened doors for future success. Yet not all examinations were celebratory occasions; Robespierre faced scrutiny during his examination captured vividly through photogravure techniques – reminding us that even those who wielded great power could be subject to questioning. As we reflect on these historical moments surrounding exams, let us appreciate their significance beyond mere tests or assessments. Exams encapsulate determination and resilience while shaping individuals' paths towards brighter futures.