School of Library and Information Science

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

Comprehensive Examination > What should I expect during comps?

First, please be sure that you have registered for comps and filled out all the necessary paperwork.

The first day (Friday), please check in with Timothy Steelman (in Marist Hall, Room 132, Information Commons) at least half an hour early i.e. 9:30 A.M., to get your room assignment and the special number (known only to Assistant Dean Steelman) by which you will identify yourself on your exam papers. Normally your room assignment will be the same for both days of comps - but if not, Mr. Steelman will also give you instructions for the second day. You are encouraged to bring food and drink if you wish, as well as a pen or pencil with which to jot notes on scrap paper. If you find the noise of others working at computers is distracting, you might want to bring earplugs. Please note earphones for portable audio/mp3 players are not allowed.

When you reach the room where you will take the exam, the exam proctor will give you a sealed manila envelope containing everything else you will need: a computer disk, a copy of the questions, and some scrap paper. You will be asked not to open this envelope until the exam begins. Exam rooms will have clocks and English-language dictionaries, as well as extra supplies (disks, scrap paper, pens). The proctor on duty will be a member of the SLIS faculty or staff.

Each day, there will be five questions on your exam. You choose two (2) to answer, and are given three hours in which to write. When you are finished, you save your work to the disk you were given and print copies of each answer. (Paperclips will be provided to clip these together). You put the disk and print copies of your answers in the manila envelope you were given, and give them to the proctor.

When you are done with the Friday exam, you are free to leave. On Saturday, you should normally go straight to your exam room. There is no need to check in with Mr. Steelman again. When you are finished with the Saturday exam, please join us for a party to celebrate. AGLISS traditionally throws a party for comps takers at the end of the second day of the exam.