Qualifying Examinations
QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS
The Mathematics Qualifying (or Preliminary) Examinations are given in six areas of mathematics (view right column to obtain the syllabus and sample exams by topic):
· Algebra
· Complex Analysis
· Differential Geometry
· Logic
· Real Analysis
· Topology
The sample exams and syllabi listed on this website were given as actual exams. Naturally exams vary from year to year. Additional historic qualifying exams are available in the Mathematics Program Office.
The exams are scheduled twice a year, in August/September and May. Students must sign up at least 48 hours (excluding weekends) in advance of any exams that they wish to take so that the proctor will know how many students to expect. Each exam is scheduled for three hours, either from 10 - 1pm, or 2 - 5pm. The Assistant Program Officer will send the electronic sign up form link to all students that have not passed 3 Qualifying exams (also called the First Examination).
The May qualifying exams are held during the final exam period and the August/September exams are scheduled before classes start or overlapping first few days of classes. Each exam is given in the Math Thesis Examination Room, (4214.03) unless otherwise indicated.
Students must pass three exams (of their choosing) to be considered to have passed the First Examination (it is listed this way on the student transcript.) Exams are graded pass or fail. Students may retake a failed exam once unless the failed exam was taken prior to student’s first semester of class. Students who fail an exam prior to their first semester of classes will still have 2 opportunities to retake the exam.
Students will be informed by email of the results of their exam.
August 2019 Qualifying Exams:
| Exam Topic |
Exam Day |
Exam Date |
Exam Time |
Sign up by |
| Algebra |
Monday |
8/19/2019 |
10-1pm |
Thurs, Aug 15, 9:00 AM |
| Real Variables |
Monday |
8/19/2019 |
2-5pm |
Wed, Aug 15, 1:00 PM |
| Complex Variables |
Tuesday |
8/20/2019 |
10-1pm |
Fri, Aug 16, 9:00 AM |
| Topology |
Tuesday |
8/20/2019 |
2-5pm |
Fri, Aug 16, 1:00 PM |
| Differential Geometry |
Wednesday |
8/21/2019 |
2-5pm |
Mon, Aug 19, 9:00 AM |
| Logic |
Wednesday |
8/21/2019 |
10-1pm |
Tues, Aug 19, 1:00 PM |
May 2019 Qualifying Exams
| Exam Topic |
Exam Day |
Exam Date |
Exam Time |
Sign up by |
| Algebra |
Thursday |
5/16/2019 |
2-5pm |
Tues, May 14, 2019 |
| Real Variables |
Friday |
5/17/2019 |
2-5pm |
Wed, May 15, 2019 |
| Complex Variables |
Monday |
5/20/2019 |
2-5pm |
Thurs, May 16, 2019 |
| Topology |
Tuesday |
5/21/2019 |
2-5pm |
Friday, May 17, 2019 |
| Differential Geometry |
Wednesday |
5/22/2019 |
2-5pm |
Monday, May 20, 2019 |
| Logic |
Thursday |
5/23/2019 |
2-5pm |
Tues, May 21, 2019 |
August 2018 Qualifying Exams
| Exam Topic |
Exam Day |
Exam Date |
Exam Time |
Sign up by |
| Algebra |
Monday |
8/20/2018 |
10-1pm |
Thurs, Aug16 9:00AM |
| Real Variables |
Monday |
8/20/2018 |
2-5pm |
Thurs, Aug 16 1:00PM |
| Complex Variables |
Tuesday |
8/21/2018 |
10-1pm |
Friday, Aug 17 9:00AM |
| Topology |
Tuesday |
8/21/2018 |
2-5pm |
Friday, Aug 17 1:00PM |
| Logic |
Wednesday |
8/22/2018 |
10-1pm |
Monday,Aug 20 9:00AM |
| Differential Geometry |
Wednesday |
8/22/2018 |
2-5pm |
Friday, Aug 20 1:00PM |
May 2018 Qualifying Exams
| Exam Topic |
Exam Day |
Exam Date |
Exam Time |
Sign up by |
| Algebra |
Thursday |
5/17/2018 |
2-5pm |
Tuesday, May 15th |
| Real Variables |
Friday |
5/18/2018 |
2-5pm |
Wednesday, May 16th |
| Complex Variables |
Monday |
5/21/2018 |
2-5pm |
Thursday, May 17th |
| Topology |
Tuesday |
5/22/2018 |
2-5pm |
Friday, May 18th |
| Differential Geometry |
Wednesday |
5/23/2018 |
2-5pm |
Monday, May 21st |
| Logic |
Thursday |
5/24/2018 |
2-5pm |
Tuesday, May 22nd |
August 2017 Qualifying Exams
Algebra:
Date: August 25, 2017
Time: 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Location: TBA
Real Variables:
Date: August 25, 2017
Time: 1200PM - 5:00PM
Location: TBA
Complex Variables:
Date: August 28, 2017
Time: 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Location: TBA
Topology:
Date: August 28, 2017
Time: 200PM - 5:00PM
Location: TBA
Logic:
Date: August 29, 2017
Time: 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Location: TBA
Differential Geometry:
Date: August 29, 2017
Time: 200PM - 5:00PM
Location: TBA
Spring 2017 Qualifying:
Algebra:
Date: May 22, 2017
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Real Variables:
Date: May 23, 2017
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Complex Variables:
Date: May 24, 2017
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Topology:
Date: May 25, 2017
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Differential Geometry:
Date: May 26, 2017
Time: 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Logic:
Date: May 26, 2017
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Fall 2016 Qualifying Exams Dates:
Logic:
Date: August 24, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Differential Geometry:
Date: August 25, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Real Variables:
Date: August 26, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Algebra:
Date: August 29,2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Topology:
Date: August 30, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Complex Variables:
Date:August 31, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Spring 2016 Qualifying Exams:
Logic:
Date: May 19, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Differential Geometry:
Date: May 20, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Real Variables:
Date: May 23, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Algebra:
Date: May 24, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: C205 (new location assigned)
Topology:
Date: May 25, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)
Complex Variables:
Date: May 26, 2016
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Math Thesis Room (4214.03)