Comprehensive Exam

As part of your degree requirements, you must pass an intensive comprehensive exam designed to evaluate your mastery of content in either linguistics or professional and technical communication. The LTC faculty is committed to preparing you for this exam. We've compiled the below information to help you understand what happens before, during, and after the exam.

When is it offered?

We offer the exam once every fall and spring semester. There is a deadline for registering for the exam, so monitor your email and the department website for that information. You will register with the LTC student or administrative assistant. None of the faculty will know you registered for the exam unless you volunteer the information.

When should I take the MA exam?

We suggest that you take the exam after you have completed your required courses. You may take the exam earlier, but you run a higher risk of a first-time failure. You can only take the exam twice, so make sure you're comfortable with the content before your first attempt.

How do I prepare for the exam?

The exam requires that you study. We suggest that you thoroughly review notes and texts from your courses. If in reviewing you realize that there are areas and ideas that you feel you only vaguely understand or need more help on, consider speaking with the relevant faculty member during office hours.

When do I get my results?

Your MA exam is assessed 2-3 weeks after you take it, and you should receive the final results within an additional 1-2 weeks. While the overall grade of "Pass" or "Fail" can be communicated to you via email, we cannot email the three raters' individual comments and scores for each section due to privacy rights. You can, however, make an appointment with the Director of Graduate Studies to read these comments.

What if I fail?

Failure is, of course, something to be avoided but nothing to be ashamed of. LTC's guidelines allow you to attempt the exam twice, no questions asked. You may appeal for a third try. If you fail, the most important thing for you to do is to understand why you failed and determine how you'll adjust your study preparation. The LTC faculty encourages you to review the exam with the Director of Graduate Studies and ask any questions you might have before taking the exam a second time.

Can I appeal my grade on the MA exam?

You have the right to appeal any grade. Should you choose this option, we suggest you thoroughly review UNT's appeals process. The LTC faculty cannot and will not advise you on whether you should appeal the exam grade. Likewise, they will not discuss this issue with you after you've initiated the appeals process or counsel you on preparing your appeals argument. All communication related to an appeal needs to be with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Where can I learn more about the content of my exam and how my work be assessed?

The content of your exam and its subsequent assessment will depend on your program. Click on one of the links below to read more about your specific MA exam.