THE QUALITIATIVE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM:
Test-taking and Stress-Diminishing Strategies Suggested by Former Students
Before the exam:
· Read old exam questions early in the program to determine what is important to gain from each course
· Read old passing exams or even try to answer old exam questions; this will help you with analytical quality, length, breadth, and structure of answers as well as help you determine the difference between high pass, pass and conditional pass grades
· Refer to the Study Guide issued by the Comp Committee
· Consult students in previous cohorts to understand the process better and to learn what worked for them
· Spend extra time and effort to improve your understanding of weaker subject areas
· Set up flip charts at home to organize yourself; sort by exam sections inserting key points and relevant articles/theorists/paradigms (including authors and page numbers)
· Set up your work space: have highlighters, post-it notes, extra printer paper and toner on hand
· Go grocery shopping/have food in the house
· Be prepared: take three weeks vacation – you will need it; arrange for appropriate day-care for children and be sure that all family members understand the special demands on you during these three weeks
· Prepare a “travel pack” if you are the type of person who can work at the beach or a café
· Acknowledge that stress is part of the process
· Some students had trouble sleeping; be prepared with OTC medications or herbal teas
· Take the weekend before the comps off and do something you enjoy
During the exam:
· Know your own limits; set up a schedule including break times and time to eat and sleep; be healthy
· Balance work and play; go out with friends, get out of the house
· Pace yourself; know when it’s time to stop reading and start writing and later start editing
· Take baths or long walks on those days when you can't sit in front of the computer anymore; know that if you can't write, just walk away for a while
· Do the best you can; understand that a grade of “conditional pass” is still a passing grade; think of it as if you submitted a manuscript for publication and it was accepted, yet needs some revisions
· eat the Smartfood Popcorn that Barbara gives you, it has super powers (chocolate is also a good brain booster!)
As you begin the readings:
· Read and re-read the exam questions, study them and be sure you understand what they ask and constantly refer back to them
· Sort articles into piles and keep them organized
· Use color-coded post-its or highlighters
· Highlight only the most important passages so you can find them later
· Take notes as you go -- electronically, if you prefer, so you can use the search function to find them later and be sure to include author, (title) and page number
· Add brief notes on first page/corner of each article; link to exam sections and question numbers
· Budget your time; don’t spend too much time reading and re-reading that you procrastinate on writing
As you begin writing:
· Answer questions as you know them first, then fill in with the readings
· Answer questions in the order you feel comfortable; many students find that they write the introduction last
· Outline the structure of your answers before you put them into sentences and paragraphs
· Write to your strengths; be true to your own writing style; trust your own voice
· Refer to course assignments, class notes, and papers that addressed the same exam question/issue
· Allow enough time to cut/edit your paper and fill in your citations -- at least one full day