Well, for once I don't mean tests in the sense of life's trials, but in the sense of an examination. Yes, although I am 23 years old, I am still studying and will do so for another three years at least, and I will have to take several exams during that time.
This week I have a big one: my Ph.D. Candidacy (Qualifying) Exam. The nice thing about studying in the US is that I have never dreaded a single exam here; they are just designed so well that I actually look forward to them. For example, this one is a week-long take home exam in which I have to choose three research problems out of twenty to work on. There is no possibility of cheating because there are no correct answers. There are no marks or grades, just a yes or no vote by the faculty as to whether they think I am competent enough to continue at Penn State. Preparation? Study everything. Or nothing. I naturally chose the latter.
These are real tests. This is as far from rote learning as it gets. This is the learn-by-doing and prove-by-doing method. People generally recommend a middle ground between the two, but in my opinion, this is an excellent testing scheme. Most of the exams I have taken here are open-book and many are take-home. I think it is a good test of intelligence, hard work, knowledge and intuition.
I'm not going to pretend that I'll be away from blogger during this time because I know I will take ample breaks: one week is a long time. Wish me luck!
Cheers,
Prashanth.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
Here's wishing you all the luck you need...
Also, about the exam, sounds like fun... But I would like to see my adviser's face if I tell her I am not doing research for a week because I want to work on the exam...
best of luck man! i enjoyed studying for my quals and taking them too! but i won't lie, i was stressed as hell and had all these nightmares about being sent back home packing.
now now, not trying to freak you out. keep up the cool and do well!
Thanks all.
B-a-l, my advisor told me to take 2 weeks off from my research before the exam, as well as the week of the exam. What do you say to that? :)
Damn, is it too late to change univs, advisers, et al...
Good Good Good Luck!
B-a-l,
:)
Perspective,
Thanks!
Intern,
When you comment, blogger asks you to Login with Blogger, Login with Other, or Comment Anonymously. You can Login with Other and give your new blog as the link. That way at least your name on the comments will link to your new blog!
Ohh this works! never occured to me!
Yey! Thanks!
Hey..best of luck..
So when do they start..
The exam looks like decent fun..should be a great learning experience to answer the questions..
My quals were more exam based...3 hours..something like 6 questions..not too hard actually..
So what are your questions?...
What area is it in?...
If they are intersting I dont mind having a go at them :)..
I took Intelligent Systems, Simulation and Distributed Control. This is probably the hardest exam I have ever taken. Pray for me....
psst done with your exams..come come lets play marbles..or bridge..or poker...come come
..hmm..i guess you must be done with your exams by now..
so how did it go?...
the topics sound very generic to me..that kind of stuff is applicable to a million different things...
i really don't think its just hard..
such exams are by defn. competitive..as long as you do better than the others that good..
anyway..it would be nowhere near the competition you would have gone through in IIT...
are u there? did u survive them? :-)
I'm alive, but just barely :)
I'll put up a quick post on it...
Post a Comment