F2.5 Preliminary Examinations

Updated: August 26th, 2011

Some doctoral programs require a preliminary examination before the student may apply to take the Qualifying Examination. A preliminary examination is within the purview of the department and may entail the completion of a paper, a series of papers, a written examination, or some other requirement.

Preliminary examination results need not be reported to the Graduate Division with one exception. The Graduate Council requires that students who fail a departmental examination on the first attempt be given an opportunity for reexamination following a reasonable delay for additional preparation, unless the performance on the exam was so poor that it is unlikely the student will pass it again within an acceptable period of time. If the examining committee, with the concurrence of the Head Graduate Adviser, recommends that no second examination be given and that the student’s status as a degree candidate in that department be terminated, the chair of the committee must provide an explanatory letter addressed to the cognizant Associate Dean in care of  the Graduate Services: Degrees Office (318 Sproul Hall, #5900).

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