Graduate-level comprehensive examinations are sometimes also known as preliminary examinations ("prelims"), general examinations ("generals"), qualifying examinations ("quals"), …

Sep 15, 2025 · What is a Comprehensive Exam? Similar to how it sounds, a comprehensive exam is a test that covers a large array of material. Such a test aims to assess the knowledge …

Nov 7, 2022 · A comprehensive exam is a summative test taken at the end of the course to test academic competence of students, while a cumulative exam is taken at the end of a semester …

Jan 1, 2026 · A comprehensive exam is a type of cumulative evaluation used by many graduate programs in the US and Canada. It is a common requirement for how to get a PhD or graduate …

The Comprehensive Exam verifies the knowledge and skills that your field of study demands. Learn about registration, eligibility requirements, and more.

Aug 13, 2024 · What should you expect from comprehensive exams? The nature of the exams – or comps, as they’re commonly called – could vary depending on your school or program, but …

Students prepare for and take the comprehensive exam during the academic year following completion of doctoral coursework, using resources collected through coursework, including …

If one of these questions are given, then it is often accompanied with other questions, and together, make up the comprehensive examination. Students must directly answer all …

The exact content varies by graduate program and by degree: Master’s and doctoral comprehensive exams have similarities but differ in detail, depth, and expectations.

Mar 24, 2019 · What Is a Comprehensive Examination? A comprehensive examination is just what it sounds like. It is a test that covers a broad base of material. It assesses the student's …