More than 200 students, angered by a controversial preliminary report on Harvard admissions, rallied in the Yard yesterday afternoon, and protest leaders threatened an occupation of Massachusetts Hall unless President Bok "immediately" agrees to a set of eight demands.

The rally--prompted by a Bok-requested preliminary report which suggests that high test scores often overpredict the academic performance of Black and women students--included an unexpected march through University Hall after speeches on the steps of Memorial Church.

After marching through the Yard and onto Mass Ave, the demonstrators encircled Massachusetts Hall and heard rally leaders read the list of demands. The demands include calls for a stronger University commitment to affirmative action and a public disavowal of the report, prepared by Robert E. Klitgaard '68, special assistant to Bok.

Protest leaders--who did not specify a deadline for a response from Bok--said the demonstration represented a "warning," adding that further actions would follow if the demands are not met.

"Next time--and there will be a next time unless our demands are met--we're going to take this building," Steven Brusch of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and a second-year Law student, told the protesters in front of Massachusetts Hall.

Lydia P. Jackson '82, president of the Black Students Association (BSA) and other Third World group leaders, said the demands must be met "immediately." Jackson added that she expected to hear from Bok by the end of the week.

Bok, who in a letter published in yesterday's Crimson urged "the Harvard community not to place any weight on" published quotations from the report, last night declined to comment on the rally and demands.

In his letter, dated Monday, Bok said he "did not ask Mr. Klitgaard to investigate the abilities or performance of particular groups of students--either by sex, race, or religion." The BLSA late last week demanded that Bok hand over documents explaining the purpose of the report.

Bok also said he "was truly sorry about any hurt that has resulted from this unhappy episode," noted that the study was only an incomplete draft, and said he commissioned the report as part of an overall review of admissions policies. He stated that he "continues firmly to support" affirmative action.

Bok--as well as Klitgaard--earlier this month stressed that the preliminary report, which Klitgaard called an outline, represented only Klitgaard's views and not University policy.

Third World student group leaders, noting the publicity the report has received, called Bok's letter insufficient. Jackson said minority students "will not tolerate Bok continuing to address the issue as he did in the letter. No matter how sorry he is, the damage is done, and the lives of minorities have been dramatically affected. He can't sweep it under the rug."

Jane Bock '81, president of the Asian American Students Association, termed Bok's letter "very inadequate," saying, "It's not a matter of individual hurt or insecurity, but a matter of institutional responsibility."

The Third World groups are demanding:

* an increase in Third World and women faculty, administrators, students and staff to reach a level "reflecting their national populations," and the establishment of a committee "to monitor the University's affirmative action policies";

* an increase in "the funding and scope" of Third World and women recruitment programs "in all sectors of the University";