====== Frequently Asked Questions about the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam ======
(prepared by the UC Davis Galois Group, Janualy 2008)

Question 1: When should a student start preparing for Quals, and how
useful is it to spend a significant amount of time reviewing old course
materials?

Question 2: How many and what types of questions should students expect
from their Qualifying Exam Committee members, both during the
student-delivered talk and during the post-talk question session?

Question 3: What should a student have in mind when choosing a committee,
and is it appropriate to ask potential committee members what types of
questions they might ask?

Question 4: How should a student choose the chair of the committee?

Question 5: What advantages and disadvantages are there to a student's
advisor being part of their committee?

Question 6: How in depth should a student's exam syllabus be, what types
of sources should be cited, and how much does this depend upon their
research area?

Question 7: Is there any general advice that you would give to a student
not addressed by any of the above questions?