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In 1955 the written examination for candidates for certification by the American Board of Dermatology and Syphilology was developed along the same lines as in recent years. The Board fully realizes the existence of valid objections to the objective type of examination but believes there are far more reasons for using such an examination rather than the essay type. In pedagogic circles generally there is acceptance of the objective examination because of its greater accuracy in measurement, the greater degree of fairness (since in the essay examinations for large groups it is impossible to have all of them reviewed by a single examiner), and the greater ease of administration because of variations in language ability, legibility, and the far greater speed of correction, with fewer errors. Perhaps most important, the objective type of examination can be made more effective for determining the range of knowledge and ability of candidates