As many Oxford Chemists know, Chemistry students are currently not allowed a copy of the periodic table in their exams. Oxford University is one of the only (if not the only) academic institutions that still requires students to memorise the periodic table.

This is not of any use in the modern world, where periodic tables can be accessed in many ways, both digitally and physically. Further, memorising the periodic table takes up time that could be spent revising content which would actually be of use in practice and which isn’t so readily available online.

The periodic table would not by itself give the answer to any questions on the exam papers - it being provided would be equivalent to the provision of statute books in law students’ exams; it would centre the focus the examination on application, rather than mere memorisation. The application of knowledge is a skill which demonstrates students’ understanding of concepts and topics far better than memorisation does.

Fostering such understanding should be the principal aim of the university, particularly if it wishes to justify the academic prestige attributed to it and to the course. Retention of the memorisation requirement singles Oxford out only in a negative way - as an institution that places an old-fashioned emphasis on skills that are unnecessary in practice, and as a university which in that way lags behind its institutional competitors and peers. It is thus in the interests of the department and university to make this change. 

As stated, the proposed alteration to the rubric would not make the exams easier, exactly - it would assist only in a limited way. There should therefore be no need for the provision of a periodic table to be countered by other changes which operate to increase the difficulty of the exams. In light of this, there does not seem to be any reason why the proposed changes could not take effect immediately, and I, along with those who have signed this petition, would like to see the rubric change take effect as soon as possible - in time for TT22 exams.