Timing and Format
Comprehensive exams typically begin in mid-to-late May. Students are ordinarily notified of the exam dates in the Fall semester prior to the exams. Students on an approved leave of absence may coordinate alternative exam dates with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). All comprehensive exams are鈥攚ithout exception鈥攁n individual effort. Students will be notified of any changes to the timing, format, or structure of the exam if they arise.
The MS Theory/PhD Theory Exam
The MS theory exam is identical to the PhD theory exam; students are expected to take it in the spring, shortly following completion of BIOS 6342 (Contemporary Statistical Inference). This is ordinarily conducted as an in-class exam that is completely closed-book/closed-notes. All exams are graded under the same scoring guidelines, although the PhD-level pass threshold is typically around ten percentage points higher than the MS-level pass threshold. A PhD-level pass is required to enroll in BIOS 8361 (Advanced Probability and Stochastic Processes).
The MS Applied/PhD Series 1 Applied Exam
The MS applied exam is identical to the PhD series 1 applied exam; students are expected to take it in the spring, shortly following completion of BIOS 6312 (Modern Biostatistics Methodology II). This is ordinarily conducted as an in-class exam that is completely closed-book/closed-notes (although a scientific calculator is typically allowed). All exams are graded under the same scoring guidelines, although the PhD-level pass threshold is typically around ten percentage points higher than the MS-level pass threshold.
The PhD Series 2 Applied Exam
The PhD series 2 applied exam is offered in the spring, typically following completion of two years of core coursework. Students must have passed the PhD series 1 applied exam at the PhD level to be eligible to take this exam. This is ordinarily conducted as an open-book/open-notes take-home exam (generative AI is prohibited). Passing this exam is required to take the Doctoral Qualifying Exam (see page 13 of the for more details).
Overview Session
Exam overview sessions are typically held (one for the MS theory/PhD theory and MS applied/PhD series 1 applied exams, and another for the PhD series 2 applied exam) in the Spring semester.
Exam Development
Comprehensive exams are summative assessments developed by sub-committees in consult with the DGS. All proposed problems are vetted by the sub-committee chair and by the expected instructors.
Evaluation
Each question is evaluated by two graders. Final scores are ranked, at which point the sub-committee decides upon pass thresholds (considering factors such as perceived exam difficulty):
- Scores above the PhD threshold constitute automatic PhD-level passes.
- Scores above the MS threshold (if applicable) constitute automatic MS-level passes.
- Scores below the target thresholds are not automatically decided, but discussed by the sub-committee to determine the appropriate course of action.
Several factors are weighed when deciding between a Pass, Conditional Pass, or Not Passed, including coursework performance, scores on each individual problem, and whether a condition can be identified that will set the student up for success in the next stage of their training. For cases in which a conditional pass is earned, conditions for the pass to be achieved will be made clear when students are notified of their results, Comprehensive examination results are considered final; disputes regarding performance are not subject to an appeal process. A student on the PhD track who does not pass on a second attempt is dismissed from the PhD program. PhD-level financial support generally continues through August 31. A student who is eligible and chooses to continue in the MS program (e.g., has earned MS-level passes on the series 1 examinations and is in good standing) beyond this date will receive MS-level financial support beginning September 1. A time-limited extension of PhD-level financial support beyond August 31 may be possible if it is in service to progress toward the MS, but requires written approval from the DGS in consult with the funding advisor and in coordination with the Graduate Program Manager (GPM). Written requests to the DGS must be made from the student by July 15.
Post-Exam Open Meeting
Exam results are typically finalized and delivered via Box on a Friday in June. There is ordinarily an optional open meeting to broadly discuss the exams that morning; students are invited but not required to attend.
Tips for Exam Preparation
- Study early, and study often! Both group- and individual-studying are highly encouraged.
- Exams from prior years are available, but be mindful that exam formats have evolved over time.
- Do not ignore the exams and assignments you completed from the courses you actually took.
- Instructors are often willing to lead Q/A sessions. Take initiative by coordinating sessions in advance of the exam and be prepared with questions for the instructor.