What a stressful week!
I sat for the Topology exam on August 19 and the Analysis counterpart on August 21. Comprehensive exams (sometimes referred to as qualifying reviews or preliminaries) are 3-hour exams, each covering two-semester course material in the introductory graduate-level curriculum at UNC Chapel Hill. For example, the Analysis exam I took is a cumulative exam for Math 653 and Math 656, Real and Complex Analysis respectively. In short, it’s about cramming a year worth of material, for each subject. Passing these PhD comprehensive exams are crucial to moving towards your PhD candidacy. These exams are administered twice a year (in January and August).
I have to pass three exams in total — Analysis, Algebra, and Topology. I hope that I can pass both I just sat for. However optimistic I am trying to be, I am well aware that I did not prepare well for my Topology exam. While I keep my fingers crossed, it is certainly likely that I have to retake my Topology comprehensive exam early next year.
If you are interested in taking a peek at the questions, click here: UNC Analysis and Topology Comprehensive Exams (Fall 2009).
so right after your horrid week of exams, you tried celebrating and relaxing by typing all the questions in latex? o.O
Haha… The LaTeX-ing took less than an hour. I spent most of my day watching Netflix DVD. I am currently trying to catch up with “How I Met Your Mother.” I am on season 2 now and season 5 (I think) is going to premier next month!
I bet LaTeX-ing is therapeutic for Eric…
I would not discount that possibility