Eighth Grade Exit Exam

In the late 1800s, the 8th grade exit exam was a major milestone of education in the United States. In states like Kansas, students had to  correctly answer hard questions in subjects like reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and US history to graduate from grammar school. For many students, especially in farming towns, this was the highest level of school they would attend. High schools existed, but they were mostly found in cities, and not every town had one. Passing the 8th grade exam meant a student was ready for work, to help on the farm, or even become a teacher. As time went on, some schools began to change how they tested students, but in the 1800s, these exams were a serious and important indicator of competency.

Below is an example of an 8th Grade Exam. Click here to see the answers to the questions.