The assignment of marks to groups of subjects was made under the impression that the best candidates would concentrate their abilities on a selection of subjects from the various divisions. But it was found that, unless the questions were made extremely difficult, more marks could be obtained by reading superficially all the subjects in the five divisions than by attaining real proficiency in a few of the higher ones: while the wide range of subjects rendered it practically impossible to cover all the ground thoroughly in the time allowed. The failure was so pronounced that in 1877 another syndicate was appointed to consider the mathematical studies and examinations of the University. They presented an elaborate scheme, but on 13 May 1878, some of the most important parts of it were rejected; their subsequent proposals, accepted on 21 November 1878 (by 62 to 49), represented a compromise which pleased few members of the senate[77]. Under the new scheme which came into force in 1882 the tripos was divided into two portions: the first portion was taken at the end of the third year of residence, the range of subjects being practically the same as in the regulations of 1848, and the result brought out in the customary order of merit. The second portion was held in the following January, and was open only to those who had been wranglers in the preceding June. This portion was confined to higher mathematics and appealed chiefly to specialists: the result was brought out in three classes, each arranged in alphabetical order. The moderators and examiners conducted the whole examination without any extraneous aid. In the next year or two further amendments were made[78], the second part of the examination being moved to the June of the fourth year, and thrown open to all men who had graduated in the tripos of the previous June. At the same time the conduct of the examination in part II was transferred to four examiners nominated by the board: this put it largely under the control of the professors. The range of subjects of part II was also greatly extended, and candidates were encouraged to select only a few of them. It was further arranged that part I might be taken at the end of a man's second year of residence, though in that case it would not qualify for a degree. A student who availed himself of this leave could take part II at the end either of his third or of his fourth year as he pleased.