The MA Exam is held no later than August 1. The student is expected to answer four questions on the examination (one from each of four fields, pre-selected by the student from a list of designated periods/topics). The exam is written and evaluated by an exam committee, consisting of one faculty member per field. The student may assemble this committee him/herself, or ask the MA Advisor to do so. It is recommended that the student then consult with each member of the committee at least once prior to the exam, to get a sense of the kinds of questions he/she might put on the exam, and to talk through sample answers. The exam consists of two parts, to be taken in the morning on two consecutive business days; each part covers two fields. Students will respond to one question from among a selection of two or three per field. For each question, the student is given half an hour to read and plan out his/her answer, plus 1.5 hours for writing. This means that the student will begin Part I of the exam at 9:00 a.m. and turn it in by 1:00 p.m. on the first day. On the second day, the student will begin Part 2 of the exam at 9:00 a.m. and turn it in by 1:00 p.m. Exams may be provided and submitted in one of two ways: either in person (with the student picking up and dropping off the exam at the Department Offices) or via e-mail (with the student receiving the exam, and submitting his/her answers, in the form of an attachment). The student should make arrangements for one or the other option in consultation with the MA Advisor. Exams are closed-book, and students are expected to observe an honor code in the taking of these exams. If you would like the department to provide space—e.g. in the Robbins Library—for you to take the exam on campus, please inform the MA Advisor. Copies of recent exam questions are available online.