# Guide for M/Q, A and B Exams

As a graduate student, the M/Q, A and B exams are critical checkpoints in your program. Your committee evaluates research progress and provides feedback to guide future work. All exams except the Q exam are public, requiring clear communication of scientific results.

**Masters students:** M Exam  
**PhD students:** Q Exam, A Exam, B Exam


## Exam Structure

Each exam typically consists of:
1. Research presentation
2. Public Q&A period (except Q exam)
3. Private Q&A with committee
4. Private committee deliberation (candidate exits room)
5. Committee feedback and outcome (pass, conditional pass, or fail)

## General guidelines leading up to any exam

The following are important guidelines regardless of the exam type:
- Communicate with your Advisor frequently leading up to the exam
- Share the Title, Abstract, and Personal bio information with the CEE administration so that they can advertise your presentation
- Clarify the requirements (e.g., presentation time limit) and goals for the exam with your Advisor 
- **Review prior exam presentation from past group members, to inform your presentation content & design.**
- Start preparing early and make sure to practice your presentation


More information on these exams can be found on the Cornell website: [www.engineering.cornell.edu/cee/exam-guide/](https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/cee/exam-guide/)


## Masters Exams

### M Exam

The M Exam is taken by MSc or MSc/PhD students at the end of their Masters (typically after 4-5 semesters, or 2-2.5 years). For this phase, you will need to nominate two committee members (one Chair, and one minor member). Before the M Exam is held, you will be required to submit a draft of your thesis at least six weeks prior to your committee. On the actual day, you will be required to deliver a 30-minute long presentation summarizing your MSc research. This will be followed by a general audience Q&A, which typically lasts about 10-15 minutes long. You and your committee will then remain in the examination room for a detailed critique and next steps discussion by your committee members. Often, your thesis can be further developed into a publication. More details can be found on [the Cornell Engineering website here](https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/mse/m-exam-checklist/).

## PhD Exams

### Q Exam

The qualifying exam verifies satisfactory progress early in your PhD journey. You receive an academic journal publication 2 weeks before the exam date and must prepare a presentation that summarizes the publication and critiques its strengths and weaknesses.

### A Exam

The A exam demonstrates your unique research identity, typically taken after completing your first PhD research project. The A exam provides a chance to get important committee guidance on dissertation plans.

Your presentation should address:
- Summary of Cornell coursework and activities
- Research problem and motivation
- Results to date
- Future work plans (papers 2 and 3) and completion strategy


### B Exam

The B exam (defense) is the culmination of your PhD journey.