Plan B (Exam/non-thesis option)

Policies and Procedures for the Plan B examination

Students in the Plan B option must pass a two-part comprehensive examination. You must be Advanced to Candidacy to register for a Statistics master exam. If you are not Advanced to Candidacy, do not register for master exams. If you do, your registration will be cancelled.

Students sitting for an exam are required to register for STAT 798. Please register for 1 unit for each exam you take. Students who have previously signed up for STAT 798 but failed the exam do not have to sign up again. You will not be allowed to sit for an exam if you have not registered for STAT 798 prior to the exam date. Details regarding the exams (dates, times, locations, etc.) and STAT 798 registration will be communicated through announcements posted on the MS Statistics Canvas HR.

Theory Exam

The theory exam will cover materials in probability and statistical theory. Students are advised to review materials from core program courses.

The exam will be closed book and closed notes. Students are allowed three 2-sided formula sheets of standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) and if typed, no smaller than 12 point font. Only formulas may be put on the cheat-sheets (problems with solutions are not allowed). The cheat-sheets must be handed in together with the exam. Necessary critical values or statistical tables will be provided for the exam. A hand calculator can be brought for basic arithmetic operations. The use of a cell phone, smart watch, or any other device that can access the internet during the exam, is strictly forbidden.

The exam will be offered twice an academic year one to two weeks prior to the first day of Fall and Spring classes, respectively. Students must register for the exam during the registration period in July and November.

Data Analysis Exam

The data analysis exam consists of a written report of a data analysis project. Each student will be given a data set and corresponding scientific questions. Students will have one week to complete the data analysis and produce a written report following the instructions provided at the time of the exam. Collaboration on the data analysis and report writing is not allowed. Any collaboration with another person or artificial intelligence will be deemed as cheating and result in a failing grade.

The exam will be available online one to two weeks prior to the first day of Fall and Spring classes, respectively, and will be due the following week. However, the report may be submitted any time prior to the deadline. Students must register for the exam during the registration period in July and November.

Other Information

Cancellations for either exam should be done before their corresponding deadlines or a failing grade will be given. Students may take the two parts of the exam in any order. Each part of the exam may be taken by a student at most two times. For discussion, contact your adviser.

If you have filed for Advancement to Candidacy, and successfully passed the two part comprehensive exams, a Report of Final Examinations form is required for graduation. This form is submitted online, and must be initiated by your Graduate Adviser. Please contact your Graduate Adviser if you would like to submit this form. Please include information on when you passed each exam in your email.