• ABOUT
• COURSES
• GRADUATE
  • { MA & PhD in RSTC }
  • { M.S. in S&TC }
  • { Tech Comm Certificate }
  • { Assistantships & Aid }
  • { Graduate Minors }
  • { Handbook }
  • { Diversity Statement }
• UNDERGRADUATE
• NEWS & EVENTS
• PEOPLE
• MAKE A GIFT
• INTRANET

{Home > Graduate : Graduate Handbook: Ph.D.: Evaluation of the Written Exam}

Evaluation of the Written Exam

The answers will be distributed to the question writers and they will notify the advisor of the outcome. They will be allowed two weeks to read the answer to their question. Once all of the outcomes have been received, the advisor notifies you of the outcome.  Your failure to deliver responses on time will be noted and factored into the assessment of the exam.

Two grades are possible: pass or fail. You must pass all three exams in order to take the preliminary oral.  If you fail three areas, you must withdraw from the program. If you fail the exam in one or two areas, you will be given the opportunity to try again to pass the exam in the area(s) you failed. If you fail one or both of the areas on the second try, you must withdraw from the program. Your advisor must be informed of any second-try exams and the time frame involved. The scheduling of the re-takes will likely impact the scheduling of the preliminary oral for that semester.

When you pass the exam, you must file the Preliminary Written Examination Report (GS 17) with the Graduate School, which requires one week to process. All reservations on the written exam must be cleared up before this report can be filed. After the report has been approved and signed by your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies, you may file it along with the Doctoral Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling form (GS 12.)