The Exams will be given in two stages: Exam ONE (Math 630 & Math 670) is on the Friday of Week 12 in the semester, and Exam TWO (Math 620 & Math 675) is on the Friday of the last week of classes. Information will appear on the department web site around the 3rd week of the semester regarding exact days/times. If Math 692 does not show up on the schedule of courses, then students need to fill out a Special Registration Form to sign up for Math 692.
Each question is graded on a 0-to-4 point scale as follows:
- 4 (Good) - mostly correct but possibly some minor errors, mostly complete
- 3 (Satisfactory +) - has some errors or omissions but demonstrates a satisfactory degree of understanding
- 2 (Satisfactory -) - has some substantial errors or omissions but demonstrates a satisfactory degree of understanding
- 1 (Needs improvement) - has some substantial errors or omissions and does not demonstrate a satisfactory degree of understanding
- 0 (Missing) - nothing relevant is submitted
There are a total of EIGHT questions that a student will answer over two exams, for a total possible score of 32. A passing grade of 20 is needed, which is an average of 2.5 per question. Any combination of 1, 2, 3, 4's that lead to a cumulative score of 20 or above is a passing grade.
Yes, students may retake the Math Comprehensive Exams. A student in need of retaking the exam should meet with the Graduate Coordinator to work out a plan for preparing for the exam. If a third attempt is required, the Graduate Committee may require that the student retake one or more courses with grades of B or better before taking the Exam again. Eventually, the Committee may choose not to permit an additional attempt due to repeatedly inadequate results.