Graduate Studies

Rules & Guideline on

The Written
Comprehensive Exam
1st Trimester, AY 2017 - 2018
Graduate students are required to take the written
comprehensive examination (WCE) after completion of
all coursework, and prior to his/her enrollment in Thesis
Writing/Dissertation Writing.

Graduate Studies
 QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify, a student must meet the following requirements:

A. Completion of the coursework in his/ her program of study;

B. Must have passed all the academic subjects (i.e. no grade less
than 2.0 for the masteral programs and 1.75 for the doctoral
programs); and
C. Completion of the courses within the stipulated residency rules
(i.e. 5 years for the masteral programs and 7 years for the
doctoral programs).
 Written Comprehensive Examinations (WCE)
Master Programs
Presented during the GS General Assembly on Saturday, July 29, 2017
1. Submission of annotated bibliographies [15 each] in three (3)
areas of specialization or a total of 45. This is submitted in
advance to the Director of Graduate Studies. (50%)
2. A written comprehensive examination consisting of five (5)
integrative questions. (50%)
2.1 The examination will be based on an article in the students field
of specialization.
2.2 The article will be given a day before the examination date.
2.3 The examination is for two (2) hours.

Graduate Studies
 Written Comprehensive Examinations (WCE)
Doctoral Programs
Presented during the GS General Assembly on July 29, 2017

1. Submission of annotated bibliographies [30 each in three (3)

areas of specialization or a total of 90. This is submitted in
advance to the Director of Graduate Studies. (50%)
2. Submission of a course syllabus on any subject course in the
doctoral program. Also submitted in advance. (10%)
3. A written comprehensive examination consisting of five (5)
integrative questions in three areas. (40%)

Graduate Studies
Schedule of the WCE

The Written Comprehensive Examination (WCE) shall be given

thrice (i.e. 3 times) a year. The PWU Graduate Studies shall
schedule the WCE at the end of each trimester of every academic
year.
The WCE will be scheduled on weekends. The PWU Graduate
Studies shall administer the test from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
All GS students will have to take the exam on the specified dates
and time regardless of their degrees/programs and their fields of
specialization.

Graduate Studies
 Schedule of the WCE

1. The Written Comprehensive Examination (WCE), First

Trimester, Academic Year 2017 2018, shall be
conducted on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017, 10:00
AM 12:00 PM, at the
_____________________________ Hall*, PWU, Manila.

* Venue: to be announced depending on the number of students

 I. PROCEDURE

1. For the MASTERAL STUDENTS: Submit to

the Director of Graduate Studies (2nd Floor, Nakpil Wing) not
later than Saturday, November 11, 2017, your annotated
bibliographies [15 each] in three (3) areas of specialization or
a total of 45 {All entries must be written in APA Format, 6th Edition}.

{Use ring bind/spiral binding, maroon color; with transparent PVC front board
to allow the title page of your document to be viewed (See Appendix A: Cover
Page}
 I. PROCEDURE

2. For the DOCTORAL STUDENTS: Submit to the

Director of Graduate Studies (2nd Floor, Nakpil Wing) not later
than Saturday, November 11, 2017, the following requirements:

2.1 Annotated bibliographies [30 each in three (3)

areas of specialization or a total of 90 {All entries
must be written in APA Format, 6th Edition}.

2.2 Submission of a course syllabus on any subject

course in the doctoral program.

{Use ring bind/spiral binding, maroon color; with transparent PVC front board to allow
the title page of your document to be viewed (See Appendix A: Cover Page}
 I. PROCEDURE

3. Secure an Application Form for the WCE from your

School/Deans Office (to be signed by the Registrar
Office, Accounting Office, and Director of Graduate
Studies) (See Appendix B: WCE Application Form).
4. Secure Temporary Transcript of Records (TOR) from
the Registrars Office.
5. Pay the WCE Fee at the Cashiers Office.
6. Return the WCE form and payment receipt to your
school (Xerox copy to the Office of the Director of
Graduate Studies).
 II. ADMINISTRATION

1. The student shall seek the required clearances following the University
procedure.
2. The Comprehensive Examination in each master's /doctoral degree
program shall be scheduled and administered by the Director of
Graduate Studies.
3. The Written Comprehensive Examination WCE) will be scheduled on
weekends (i.e. Saturdays). The Director of Graduate Studies shall
administer the test from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
4. All GS students will have to take the exam on the specified date and time
regardless of their degrees/programs and their fields of specialization.
5. The Dean of the school shall assign a faculty member who shall be
responsible for the formulation and evaluation of the comprehensive
examination/Annotated Bibliographies (+ Course Syllabus for Doctoral
students).
 II. ADMINISTRATION

6. Depending on the graduate program and degree, the comprehensive

examination may test course knowledge, current issues, knowledge of
the proposed research area, as well as general knowledge in the field.
This is especially true of doctoral students who must be prepared to
discuss the field at a professional level. Details of the examination shall
be left to the discretion of the Comprehensive Examination Committee.
7. After the WCE, the test booklets/Annotated Bibliographies will be
returned to the Deans for correction.
8. The Deans shall forward the results of the WCE to the Director of
Graduate Studies a week after the examination date.
9. The Director of Graduate Studies shall announce the WCE results and
issue the WCE certificates to the students who passed the test.
10. Results of the examination shall be reported by Director of Graduate
Studies to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and forwarded
to the University Registrar.
 III. RATING

1. A students performance in the Comprehensive

Examination shall be rated PASS or FAIL.
2. A student who fails the written examination shall be
allowed to retake the examination within one (1) year
after the first WCE. Non-compliance therewith may result
in further remedial action/s to be determined by the Dean
of the school and the Director of Graduate Studies.
3. If the student fails the WCE for the second time, he shall
be required to take a refresher course.
4. Failure to pass the third WCE automatically terminates
the candidacy for an applied degree.