Prelims

The use of the term Prelim (short for preliminary examination) varies and is synonymous with qualifying exam, but it generally refers to an examination (usually one from a sequence) that qualifies a student to continue studies at a higher level. These exams are also referred to as Quals at some institutions.^{[citation needed]}

United States graduate programs

In many United States institutions the term "Prelims" is used for the preliminary examinations required before a graduate student is permitted to begin working on a doctoral dissertation.^{[citation needed]} Depending on the institution, "prelims" may also be called "quals" or "general exams". Practice in this regard varies among US Graduate School programs, and even among academic departments at the same institution. Some have a single examination or set of examinations, in which case they are typically called "Prelims." Other departments have two sets of examinations, one taken early in the student's graduate work called "Comps" because they are intended as a comprehensive survey of the student's overall preparation to undertake graduate-level work, and a later set known as "Quals" intended to assess the student's qualifications to undertake dissertation research. Typically a student who does not pass such examinations will be given one more chance. If a student does not pass on the final attempt, they are usually given the opportunity to graduate with a terminal Master's Degree.

In some university departments, graduate students seeking a Ph.D. degree must take a series of written cumulative examinations on the subject of their study in the first year or two of the Ph.D. program. These cumulative exams are often given on a pass/fail basis and a graduate student who seeks to continue in the Ph.D. program must pass a minimum number of these cumulative exams. After this minimum number of cumulative exams is passed, this degree requirement is considered to be met, and the Ph.D. student no longer takes these exams but continues work on other Ph.D. requirements.

Cornell University

At Cornell University, however, the term has been expanded to refer to any examination that is preliminary to the final exam even for undergraduate courses.^[1] This usage is used throughout the University, and has become so popular that "prelim" is more commonly used than "test."

United Kingdom undergraduate programmes

University of Cambridge

Most colleges of the University of Cambridge enter their undergraduate students for prelims in some subjects (e.g. history, natural sciences & English).^[2] The exams are usually held towards the end of the first year of study. While they do not count towards a student's final degree classification, a very poor performance in prelims can result in disciplinary measures and students may be required to repeat the exams until they receive a satisfactory grade.

University of Oxford

At the University of Oxford, prelims are a first set of examinations, normally during the first half of the degree course for some courses (e.g., for history^[3]). The highest results in prelims will be awarded a "Distinction", which also entitles the bearer to wear a scholar's gown. These examinations contrast with Finals at the end of all degree courses at Oxford.

See also Honour Moderations.

Singapore and Scotland

In Singapore, and in Scottish Highers, the term is used for practice examinations held in schools before major national examinations, such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), GCE 'N', 'O' and 'A' Levels in Singapore; and Standard Grades, Intermediate Qualifications, Highers and Advanced Highers in Scotland.^{[citation needed]} The papers are generally more challenging than the actual examination to prepare the students. Results from these prelims are used for provisional admission to a Singapore junior college, while those from the 'A' Level prelims are used to predict grades for the actual examination, which are often asked for by overseas university admission officers.

References

1. ^ http://registrar.sas.cornell.edu/Sched/exams.html
2. ^ http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/2010/chapter04-section2.html
3. ^ Under Undergraduates, History Faculty, University of Oxford, UK.