Preliminary examinations are offered at the beginning and end of the Spring
semester each year. These are four closed-book written examinations in (i)
differential equations, (ii) advanced calculus, (iii) complex variables and
(iv) linear algebra. The examinations are given at the
advanced-undergraduate/beginning-graduate level. For each of the four exams,
students receive a score of 1, 2 or 3, as determined by the faculty
committee in charge of the examination. All students in AMGS are required
to take the preliminary exams in the beginning of the Spring semester in the
first year of graduate studies. All students must obtain a score of at least
2 on all four exams. A student may retake from one to four of the exams, but
exams must be re-taken at the end of the same Spring semester. If the
student does not obtain a score of at least 2 on all four exams after two
attempts, he or she will be disqualified from further study in AMGS.
Additionally, PhD students must earn a score of 3 on at least three of the
four exams.
For details, please see
Policies and Procedures.
Sample Exams