As long as the order of the list of those approved for degrees was settled on the result of impressions derived from acts kept by the different candidates at different times and on different subjects, it was impossible to arrange the men in strict order of merit, nor was much importance attached to the order. But, with the introduction of an examination of all the candidates on one day, much closer attention was paid to securing an accurate classification, and more confidence felt in the published order. It seems to have been consequent on this that in and after 1748 the final lists were regarded as authoritative and important and that the names of the honorary optimes were definitely indicated: the lists from this time appeared in the _University Calendars_. The lists from 1748 to 1910, with the earlier Ordines Senioritatis from 1499 to 1747, are printed in the _Historical Register of the University_. Of the detailed history of the examination until the middle of the eighteenth century we know nothing. From 1750 onwards, however, we have more definite accounts of it. At this time, it would seem that all the men from each college were taken together as a class, and questions passed down by the proctors or moderators till they were answered: but the examination remained entirely oral, and technically was regarded as subsidiary to the discussions which had been previously held in the schools. Each class contained men of very different abilities, and to meet difficulties thus caused, a custom grew up by which every candidate was liable to be taken aside to be questioned by any master of arts who wished to do so, and this was regarded as an important part of the examination. The examination now continued for two days and a half, the subjects, as before, being mathematics and philosophy. At the conclusion of the second day the moderators received the reports of those masters of arts who had voluntarily taken part in the examination, and provisionally settled the final list. The last half-day was used in revising and rearranging the order of merit. Richard Cumberland has left an account of the tests to which he was subjected when he took his bachelor degree in 1751. Clearly the disputations still played an important part, and it is difficult to say what weight was attached to the subsequent senate-house examination; his reference to it is only of a general character. After saying that he kept two acts and two opponencies he continued[39]: