Dr William Samuel Powell, B.A. 1738, was elected master of S. John's College Cambridge in 1765. ‘In the very first year of his mastership he applied himself to the establishment of those college examinations which before his time were unknown in our university, and which form so excellent a test of proficiency in the various subjects of lectures. The examination lists still preserved in S. John's, which were all drawn up with great care and consideration by Dr Powell himself, as long as he presided over the college [till 1775], bear strong testimony to the acute discrimination, the strict impartiality and the resolute industry with which he conducted and perfected this his favourite scheme.’ By prizes and punishments he overcame the opposition which the young men at first presented.

‘He allowed the students of no year to pass without examination in one of the Gospels, or the Acts of the Apostles; no talents or acquirements being permitted to compensate for the neglect of this.’

The entry in the S. John's coll. conclusion-book is as follows.

5th July, 1765. ‘Agreed that the examiners annually chosen shall by themselves or their sufficient deputies examine the undergraduates, both fellow-commoners and others publickly in the hall twice a year, the time and subjects to be determined by the master.’