Preparation for the exam is best accomplished through critical review and discussion of the relevant technical literature in student’s research subject area as part of the regular research group activities, participation in a journal club, peer-to-peer coaching and dedicated “QE prep” student groups you may wish to organize/join. Additionally, there will a series of MEGA organized information sessions, workshops and social events to aid in preparation and studying. Regular critical feedback from your faculty advisor, lab group members especially those in senior post-quals standing, and GWW peers is an effective strategy for QE preparation.

The time commitments placed upon a GRA and GTA are identical as both are 1/3 appointments with specific requirements and responsibilities that come with the appointment and that must be managed during the semester the student takes the qualifying exam.

Students will be given the 3 papers which will form the basis of the examination two weeks in advance of the exam. Students needing additional accommodations are encouraged to reach out to graduate office, who will work with the student and the Office of Disability Services to make the appropriate accommodations.

As described in the attached documentation, the exam format was changed in order for the exam to better assess a student’s subject knowledge that will allow them to be successful in conducting graduate research and to better asses a student’s ability to perform critical analysis of subject-specific technical literature as noted in Bloom’s Taxonomy. The previous exam format focused exclusively on the levels of Knowledge, Comprehension, and Application, which are already being regularly assessed through graduate coursework.

The primary RAG that is identified as the administering RAG in the student’s summary will propose an examination committee, in consultation with the advisor, that consists of 3 tenured or tenure track faculty members with a primary, joint or courtesy appointment in the Woodruff School. The committee members do not have to be from the same RAG. The RAG will assign one of the 3 committee members as the Committee Chair, who will be responsible for overseeing the exam preparation and communicating with the student. It is expected that the exam committee will have an overlap with the student’s proposal and dissertation reading committees. The qualifying exam committee will then be responsible for selecting the three papers and arranging the exam. The advisor will not be on this committee; however, the advisor can recommend faculty to be on the committee as well as recommend faculty that they would not like on the committee. Students should talk to their advisor about faculty they would like to have on their PhD committee as there will likely be overlap with their qualifying exam committee.

No, they should not contact the recommended faculty members.

The repository is made to include specific topics from every research scientist in the RAG with each faculty member able to add different publications based on their research interest. The RAG, with input from the student and the advisor, will work to select a committee that will be knowledgeable from your subject area. This often might require committee members outside of the primary RAG to serve as members of the examination committee.

The new exam format is one oral exam of the student’s subject knowledge, given by a 3-member exam committee based on three technical publications selected by the committee from a preapproved list that will be evaluated based on a standard rubric.

The student will retake the qualifying exam by the end of the semester of their failed attempt (i.e., before the start of the semester that follows the failed attempt).

This will be left up to the discretion of the examining committee based upon the best examination approach to address the deficiencies noted in the first exam. The student will not be informed whether or not any of the papers will be reused during the second retake. However, there may be a situation where the examination committee would find it valuable to revisit one or more of the papers that were part of the first exam.

No, given an individual format of the new qualifying examination, such “practice” exams are not useful as a tool for exam preparation. The student handout does contain sample exams from various RAGS to provide the student with an example of the exam format and the types of questions that could be asked.

A standardized rubric will be used to assess each student going through their qualifying exam. This rubric will be posted to the ME website during summer of 2021.

Feedback to the students will be provided via the standardized rubric for students that take the exam no matter the outcome of the exam. Students will be provided with these feedback at the same time that the outcome of the exam is communicated to them. Many of the comments will be made to help students better prepare for their PhD proposal.

It is up to student, in consultation with their advisor, to determine the course load that the student should take. It is not recommended that the student necessarily avoid taking courses during the semester they take qualifying exams. In addition, the best way to prepare for the exam, is to actively engage in research and read and critically discuss the literature relevant to the student’s research area.

The 3-page paper summary should be single spaced, ½ inch margins, and 11-point in a standard font. This is meant to help the student summarize the papers in their own words and prepare for the exam. The paper will not be part of the assessment during the examination and does not need to be turned in to the committee.

No, it will be up to the student, in consultation with their advisor, to develop a program of study that best meets the needs of the student and prepares them to be successful in their research and graduate studies.

No, the timing of when the exam is to be taken is different between students who enter with a masters compared to those who do not, but the assessment and expectations of the student are the same between the two.

No, this is not a requirement. However it is anticipated that in many cases it will be highly beneficial to the student for the QE committee members to also serve on the student’s thesis committee.

You are allowed to highlight and annotate the papers provided to you.

Once the papers are assigned to you are no longer allowed to discuss anything of relevance to these papers, directly or indirectly, with your advisor, lab or class mates, friends, parents, anyone. You are on your own during the 2 weeks of preparation for the exam. You are allowed to read any papers you’d like, those which are cited in the papers assigned to you or others not cited, any books, lecture notes, etc. The only thing that is not allowed is to discuss/consult with others, formally or informally, on any matters that are relevant to your exam preparation.