Template for the MA/PhD Qualifying Examination in Slavic Languages & Literatures


The MA/PhD Qualifying examination allows the student to continue on to PhD work. It is written over two days and must be be completed within a single week. Students have the option of writing by hand or taking their examination on a computer provided by the department.

Plan to spend a brief portion of the time organizing your response, and the remainder of the time writing.

A. Write on your choice between two essays on Russian language (1-1.5 hours)

B. Write on your choice between two essays on Russian literature (1-1.5 hours)

C. Identifications; answer as many of 25-30 IDs as possible, split between language and literature [30-45 minutes]

A. Six shorter essays, chosen from ten questions; at least two must be on literature, at least two on language and linguistics [40 minutes per question]

ORAL: Successful completion of the written examination is followed by a 1.5 - 2 hour oral examination within five business days of the second written exam. This exam has a short Russian portion; the remainder of the examination is in English.