MIT Entrance Exam, ca. 1869

Published by patrick honner on

MIT Entrance ExamThis is the arithmetic portion of the MIT Entrance exam from 1869:

http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/exhibits/exam/arithmetic.html

Since it’s hosted by the MIT libraries website, I assume it’s authentic.  I wonder if examinees were allowed to use graphing calculators on this exam?

Be sure to check out the English section also.  I hope you know who Count Bismark is!


patrick honner

Math teacher in Brooklyn, New York

3 Comments

Ahmed Gouda · December 10, 2010 at 5:55 pm

This reminds me of how several shows depict future characters as geniuses. Like high schoolers from the future solving these massive science fictiony math problems in seconds, and calling it junior high material.

Sam Kolins · December 12, 2010 at 8:42 pm

Yay! I passed! Awesome! 😀

Y’know, it’s funny because my first choice for a college is actually MIT. I’d say I’d hope the exam I’d take in 2012 or whatever looked like this, but I’d be about 157 years too late. 😛

MrHonner · December 12, 2010 at 8:56 pm

Take a copy of your exam to your interview–I’m sure they’ll be impressed!

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