This looks like a college exam or certification exam, probably intended to certify a teacher of the 8th grade and not taken by 8th graders. Back then it was common for teachers to teach a variety of subjects, so, they had to know a great deal across the board.

Given the time limits I believe the test was open book in nature. But one would still have to know one's stuff to execute it well.

And still very impressive to me at that level as well. A little different than coach teaching physics today.

Kitz