Preface

A concise book on studying and taking examinations has a distinct place in today's competitive world. The many fine, lengthy books which describe these subjects are often too rich a fare for today's rapidly moving young people. The shorter books I have seen are chatty enough, but with a pro­fusion of do's and don'ts largely unsupported, and an air that implies, "If you'll just do these fifty-seven things, everything will be all right." Nearly all books — long or short — leave a regrettable void when it comes to flexible adaptations to suit the variations of individuals, except some which are textbooks for full-dress courses. Worse still, most of them are unfortunately silent when it comes to "Why?"

What has been missing is a student-oriented rationale which is short enough to be read easily to the end, and one which endeavors to explain why the educational process is conducted as we find it today. To write expressly for the age-groups most needing such an orientation calls for a careful blending of specific helps, persuasion, and a happy union between pragmatism and idealism. It takes a "heap o' convincin' " to bring most young people into harmony with the confusing picture they think they face as they move toward higher learning. Besides this, there is a service to be rendered to society through an account of federal Civil Service exams, interviews, and various tests of other kinds.

Presenting a logical and amply buttressed rationale in a brief space poses obvious problems which can sometimes only be met by a liberal amount of subjectivity on the writer's part. Apology for gaps or over-simplifica­tions can be no more than half-hearted, however, because the over-riding urgency that has prompted my approach is a first-hand experience with the nature of the conflict of ideologies which is upon us. My view is that there has been insufficient attention given to explaining to young people "what it's all about" in our system. The welding influence of education has somehow been lost sight of in a preoccupation with curriculum prob-
lems, credits, salaries, physical equipment, and school-bus schedules. To me, it seems that the mechanics of education are overshadowing the spirit, eagerness, and importance of youth. The ominous overtone is that there is a distinct risk of our faltering nationally because we have neglected to tell our young people what it's all about.

This book will be a decided help to a great many young people (and others) because it explicitly informs them about things they need to know to study well and take examinations intelligently. It is designed not only for those who are in dire straits because of poor academic backgrounds, but for the able student as well, to make the most of talents that may lie neglected. But this book goes further in trying to create the educational climate, from the student's point of view, which is essential to the local community, the nation, and ultimately the nations united.