If
you are a graduate student, one of the most dreaded part of your student life
is the COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION. I
just had to put that in bold and capital letters to drive my point. When I was
still a graduate student, I sometimes have nightmares about the compre exam
questions.
My classmates and I often scare ourselves about what possible questions
would be asked in the compre exams.
But you know,
all these scary talks and dreadful anticipations are really overrated.
Yes
comprehensive exams are difficult. They should be difficult. But difficult is
good because it forces you to prepare for the exam. It makes you more cautious
instead of being too complacent. It makes you think critically and reflect on
what you have learned for each course you have taken in the past semesters.
There is really no
formula to ace and pass that comprehensive exams. The best advice I can give
you is to prepare for it. Here are some tips which we have collated from the
Internet and from our interviews with some of FMDS students.
Before the Exam:
1. Read the program
guide and find out what is expected from you. If you feel that there are some
unclear areas, consult with your Program Chair.
2. Locate your old
modules, old notes and readings.
3. Consult with
experienced students.
4. Research,
research and research.
-Read the recent issues
from the top 3 to 5 journals in your field.
-Read the
references in your course guides.
-Go to the library
or ask for remote accounts.
-Familiarize
yourself with all the relevant theories in your field.
-Compare and
contrast major schools of thought in your field.
-If you find a
concept interesting, explore this further.
-Strategize your
reading… be more efficient.
-You should
prepare your arguments on the concepts you have read.
-Keep all
references. Carefully track your citations and bibliography from the outset. Keep
your bibliography updated.
5. Practice on your
handwriting!
6. Write notes -- every
day. Lots of it.
-Organize your
notes.
-Make connections
between ideas, texts and concepts.
-Make sure your
notes are comprehensive enough to study from.
-Make a packet.
Have all the information you gathered in one easily accessible place.
-Take notes on all
authors you read and summarize them in 25-50 word paragraphs.
7. Devote time
exclusively for studying.
8. Study with other
students. Share resources and advice. Form or join group review sessions.
9. Reiterate
everything you’ve learned.
10. Take practice
compre exam. Talk through it.
11. Take study breaks
– long ones.
12. Set realistic and
attainable goals and REWARDS!
During the Exam:
1. Focus!!!
2. Pray!
3. Be mentally and
physically prepared. Eat and sleep properly.
4. Arrive early at
the exam venue if not on time.
5. Make sure you
have everything you need. Bring extra pens.
6. Bring food and
water. Take plenty of plain refreshing water with you and stay hydrated.
7. Take a deep
breath.
8. Read the whole
exam carefully and take notes.
9. Underline key
terms
10. Make sure that
you fully understand what the question is asking for you.
11. Answer the
questions. One question at a time. Move on from questions you can’t answer.
12. Ask questions if
you need to.
13. Organize your
thoughts first before you write them down.
14. Make an argument.
15. In answering, do not just criticize, also present a solution for issues. Do not
over analyze.
16. Use a clear
structure.
17. Pay attention to
your time management.
18. Take a break.
19. Stay normal and
calm but serious.
20. Make sure to
review and edit your work on the last part of the exam..
21. Spell-check and
proof read. Read and re-read.
22. Don’t leave out
any important concepts.
23. Use the last part
to edit, review, revise and improve your answers.
24. Watch your grammar!
25. When you submit your final answers, make sure all pages are complete.
After the Exam:
Celebrate!!
DONTs
Don’t over study.
Don’t review on
the exam day.
Don’t panic
during the exam.
Don’t focus too
much on a specific subject.
Don’t think of
other things before and during the exam.
Don’t memorize.
Understand.
Collated by Joanna Vinas
Interview with students by Jeniffer De Pasion
Graphics by Christian C. Guevarra
Very helpful. thanks.
TumugonBurahin