That looks like a test to see if a student is not a fool. A basic entrance exam to eliminate lost causes. Check out some high school graduation exams from 100 years ago. I would have difficulty with the subjects I have knowledge in like science and maths even with a few weeks of study to refresh. I would likely fail history and geography and I would be a no hoper in the likes of English.
I would say a degree level today equates with leaving cert of 100 years ago.
In the 80s year 4 of a US civil engineering course was the same as year 2 in UCG.
However up to the age 10 the standard seems higher than in Irish schools, maybe it suits me to believe this.
The rot sets in later perhaps.
Propably depends on the school. The school where Bush went Andover Academy, not far from here could be over 50 grand a year. Milton Academy is about 30 grand a year.
Boston Latin is a public high school that is free I think but it has an entrance standard which is very hard to meet. A nephew got in and did fine, his brother got in but left soon after. The going would be heavy there
Portal 