The Department issues a written exam for MS students and a written exam for PhD students.
MS Written Exam
Accurate for fall semester 2023.
- Consists of two independent parts:
- a methods exam in the morning, consisting of three questions based on STAT 500 and 510; and
- a theory exam in the afternoon, consisting of three questions based on STAT 542 and 543.
- One sheet of notes on 8.5×11-inch paper, front and back, is allowed per morning and afternoon portion of this exam.
- Decisions will be in the form of "Pass", "Conditional Pass", or "Fail".
- It is possible to pass one part of the exam and repeat only the remaining part the next time.
- Students are guaranteed two attempts to pass this exam.
- A third and final attempt may be given upon the recommendation of the graduate faculty.
PhD Written Exam
Accurate for fall semester 2023.
- Exact timing and structure announced by the PhD Exam Committee during the fall semester.
- This exam consists of questions based on:
- the MS core courses (i.e. STAT 500, 510, 520, 542, & 543), and
- the PhD core courses (i.e. STAT 601, 641, & 642).
- One sheet of notes on 8.5×11-inch paper, front and back, is allowed per day of this exam.
- Decisions will be in the form of "Pass", "Conditional Pass", "Fail", or "Fail with an Invitation to Make a Second Attempt".
- These decisions apply to the full exam—it is not possible to pass part of this exam.
- Students are guaranteed one attempt to pass this exam.
Access to Past Written Exams
To aid in studying for these written exams, past exams are located in our Written Exam folder, organized first by "MS" and "PhD", then by "Theory" and "Methods".