[Cohort39] Prelim Exam Questions

[Elizabeth Breen]

Thanks, Dennis! I think we are okay waiting a while for this information,
given that the exam is still months away. I'll check back in with you in a
few weeks if we don't hear from you before then.

Thanks for your help,
Elizabeth

On Sun, Feb 17, 2019 at 2:56 PM Dennis Feehan <feehan at berkeley.edu> wrote:

> Hi Elizabeth (and everyone),
>
> Thanks for your questions. We have been discussing this, and will get you
> all more information soon. Just to set expectations: I can't promise more
> information will come as soon as, say, this week. But it is being discussed
> and we'll let you know when there's an update.
>
> Thanks and hope all is well,
>
> Dennis
>
> On Sun, Feb 17, 2019 at 9:41 AM Elizabeth Breen <
> elizabeth_breen at berkeley.edu> wrote:
>
>> Hello Dennis,
>>
>>
>>
>> I’m writing to follow up on scheduling a meeting with Cohort 39 to
>> discuss our preliminary exam. I think it would be helpful to discuss this
>> in person, but I’m also attaching a list of our initial questions below, to
>> give you a chance to prepare for the onslaught.
>>
>>
>>
>> When are you available to meet? Cohort 39 is typically around on Tuesdays
>> from 2:00pm-3:00pm, Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm-2:00pm or
>> 5:00pm - 6:00pm, and every other Thursday (next available on 3/1) from
>> 2:00pm-4:00pm. Would any of those times work for you? (We are also ok with
>> discussing this over email if you’d prefer.)
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Elizabeth
>>
>>
>>
>> Questions:
>>
>> Where will we take the exams?
>>
>> Can we elect to take the exams open or closed book?
>>
>> Is it possible for us to take the exams closed book, but with a single
>> sheet of hand-written notes (equations for the quantitative portion, theory
>> notes for the qualitative portion) we can bring in?
>>
>> Can we bring in scientific calculators?
>>
>> Should we bring blue books?
>>
>> Who is going to proctor the exam?
>>
>> Who is writing the exams?
>>
>> Who is grading the exams?
>>
>> How soon after the exams are finished will we receive our grades?
>>
>> What score counts as passing the exams?
>>
>> What are average past scores?
>>
>> Are the exam scores curved?
>>
>> If we do not pass, will we have a chance to retake the exam?
>>
>> Do the exams determine whether we will a) receive a master’s degree or b)
>> be allowed to continue in the PhD program, or both?
>>
>> Would failing the exam have a different impact on a Soc/Demog PhD student
>> than a Demog Masters or PhD student, and if so, what is that difference?
>>
>> Do you have any recommendations for the timing of the exams?
>>
>> We were considering asking to take the quantitative portion on 5/6 and
>> the qualitative portion on 5/8. Would you recommend spacing them further
>> apart? Or taking them earlier in the semester?
>>
>> Is there anything we haven’t asked that you think we should know about?
>>
>
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