Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Orals | 20070320 | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the first programme he finds out why, for centuries, Oxbridge finals were all done out loud - complete with a jester. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this most upfront, unforgiving form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John O'Farrell explores why for centuries Oxbridge finals were done out loud. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams | |
| 01 | Orals | 20070320 | 20071112 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the first programme he finds out why, for centuries, Oxbridge finals were all done out loud - complete with a jester. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this most upfront, unforgiving form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John O'Farrell explores why for centuries Oxbridge finals were done out loud. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 01 | Orals | 20070320 | 20101122 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the first programme he finds out why, for centuries, Oxbridge finals were all done out loud - complete with a jester. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this most upfront, unforgiving form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John O'Farrell explores why for centuries Oxbridge finals were done out loud. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 02 | Timed Essays | 20070327 | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the second programme he finds out why the very idea of timed literary examinations caused a small war in the Victorian Establishment - and how the timed essay has since shaped the way the British power elite thinks. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this demanding form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John finds out why timed examinations caused a small war in the Victorian establishment. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams | |
| 02 | Timed Essays | 20070327 | 20071113 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the second programme he finds out why the very idea of timed literary examinations caused a small war in the Victorian Establishment - and how the timed essay has since shaped the way the British power elite thinks. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this demanding form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John finds out why timed examinations caused a small war in the Victorian establishment. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 02 | Timed Essays | 20070327 | 20101123 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the surprising history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the second programme he finds out why the very idea of timed literary examinations caused a small war in the Victorian Establishment - and how the timed essay has since shaped the way the British power elite thinks. Plus, examiners and pupils reveal how they deal with this demanding form of examination.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John finds out why timed examinations caused a small war in the Victorian establishment. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 03 | Multiple Choice | 20070403 | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the third programme he finds out how multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. And why America has relied surprisingly heavily ever since on a test that values objective judgements of the masses over quirky individuality. Plus, examiners on the art of writing the wrong questions, and pupils on trying to avoid the pitfalls of this most slippery of tests.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
Multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams | |
| 03 | Multiple Choice | 20070403 | 20071114 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the third programme he finds out how multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. And why America has relied surprisingly heavily ever since on a test that values objective judgements of the masses over quirky individuality. Plus, examiners on the art of writing the wrong questions, and pupils on trying to avoid the pitfalls of this most slippery of tests.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
Multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 03 | Multiple Choice | 20070403 | 20101124 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the third programme he finds out how multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. And why America has relied surprisingly heavily ever since on a test that values objective judgements of the masses over quirky individuality. Plus, examiners on the art of writing the wrong questions, and pupils on trying to avoid the pitfalls of this most slippery of tests.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
Multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 04 | Coursework | 20070410 | John investigates how coursework spread beyond school sports halls and into pupils' homes. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams | |
| 04 | Coursework | 20070410 | 20071115 (R4) | John investigates how coursework spread beyond school sports halls and into pupils' homes. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 04 | Coursework | 20070410 | 20101125 (R4) | John investigates how coursework spread beyond school sports halls and into pupils' homes. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 05 | Practicals | 20070417 | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the final programme he explores Victorian medical practicals, and why semi-naked patients volunteered to let students draw lines on them. And he finds out who examines the examiners - and what happens if they get a 'D'.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John explores Victorian medical practicals. He also asks who examines the examiners. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams | |
| 05 | Practicals | 20070417 | 20071116 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the final programme he explores Victorian medical practicals, and why semi-naked patients volunteered to let students draw lines on them. And he finds out who examines the examiners - and what happens if they get a 'D'.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John explores Victorian medical practicals. He also asks who examines the examiners. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |
| 05 | Practicals | 20070417 | 20101126 (R4) | John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.
In the final programme he explores Victorian medical practicals, and why semi-naked patients volunteered to let students draw lines on them. And he finds out who examines the examiners - and what happens if they get a 'D'.
Producer: Phil Tinline.
John explores Victorian medical practicals. He also asks who examines the examiners. Series of five programmes in which John O'Farrell explores our relationship with exams |