Written Quals

Your first attempt at the written qualifying exams usually takes place during the two weeks before the start of classes. Exams are 3-4 hours long each, spaced out every other day to give time for rest and study.

Continuing studends lead a series of group study sessions called Written Qual Bootcamp prior to the exams. Each study session is a few hours long, and specializes in problems for each Qualifying Exam. New students are encouraged to attend if available!

• Exams are closed-book

• Crib sheets are provided

• Calculator

• Water

• Blank paper

• Pencils/pens

You have 3 attempts to pass all five exams, scoring at least 12 out of 20 to pass. You do not need to take all five exams at once - you can space out your attempts.

If you choose to space out your attempts, first-year students are encouraged to take

on their first attempt:

• 📐 Classical Mechanics

• 🧮 Math Methods

• 💡 Electricity & Magnetism

and on your second attempt:

• ⚛️ Quantum Mechanics

• 📈 Statistical Mechanics

 You may petition the Graduate Committee to waive a course if:

• you score very high on the associated written qualifying examination;

• you took the equivalent graduate-level course at your prior institution and obtained a satisfactory grade;

• the course covers the material in the first-year courses syllabi.

Email the Graduate Committee Chair with your written qual score, unofficial transcript showing the equivalent graduate-level course, and a copy of the syllabus from that course.