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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title>Qualifying Exam FAQ | Aerospace Engineering | Illinois</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://cdn.brand.illinois.edu/favicon.ico"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://aerospace.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/graduate-program-faqs/qualifying-exam-faq" /> <meta name="description" content="Qualifying Exam FAQ"> <meta name="author" content="Grainger Engineering Office of Marketing and Communications">  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="black"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <script src="https://onetrust.techservices.illinois.edu/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="26be7d61-2017-4ea7-8a8b-8f1704889763"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function 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class="">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/about/talbot-expansion" class="">Talbot Expansion</a></li> <li><a href="/about/directions" class="">Directions to Aerospace at Illinois</a></li> <li><a href="/about/aerospace-engineering-creative-resources" class="">Aerospace Engineering Creative Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/about/contact-us" class="">Contact Us</a></li> </ul></div></div></section> </div> </li> <li class="dropdown mega nav-item"> <a href="/admissions" class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><span>Admissions</span></a> <div class="dropdown-menu tile-list" id="mainnav-admissions"> <section class="tile menu white-box col"> <h2><a href="/admissions">Admissions</a></h2> <div class="row"><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/admissions/undergraduate" class="">Undergraduate Admissions</a><ul class="undergraduate" > <li><a href="/admissions/undergraduate/faqs" class="">FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/undergraduate/transfer" class="">Transfer</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/admissions/why-aerospace-illinois" class="">Why Choose Aerospace at Illinois?</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/statistics" class="">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/program-objectives-abet" class="">Program Objectives (ABET)</a></li> </ul></div><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/admissions/graduate" class="">Graduate Admissions</a><ul class="graduate" > <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/apply-now" class="">Apply Now</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/admissions-requirements-and-process" class="">Admissions Requirements and Process</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/dates-and-deadlines" class="">Dates and Deadlines</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/admissions/graduate/graduate-program-faqs" class="">Application FAQs</a><ul class="graduate-program-faqs" > <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/graduate-program-faqs/final-exam-faq" class="">Final Exam FAQ</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/graduate-program-faqs/preliminary-exam-faq" class="">Preliminary Exam FAQ</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/graduate-program-faqs/qualifying-exam-faq" class="">Qualifying Exam FAQ</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/appointments-faq" class="">Appointments and Funding</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/tf-rates-academic-year" class="">Tuition and Fees</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/degrees-and-programs-study" class="">Degrees and Programs of Study</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/graduate/simple-entry-program-ae-illinois" class="">Simple Entry Program for an MS or MEng </a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div></div></section> </div> </li> <li class="dropdown mega nav-item"> <a href="/academics" class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><span>Academics</span></a> <div class="dropdown-menu tile-list" id="mainnav-academics"> <section class="tile menu white-box col"> <h2><a href="/academics">Academics</a></h2> <div class="row"><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/academics/undergraduate" class="">Undergraduate</a><ul class="undergraduate" > <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/advising" class="">Advising</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/curriculum" class="">Curriculum</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/undergraduate-tech-electives" class="">Undergraduate Tech Electives</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/general-education-requirements" class="">General Education Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/international-programs" class="">International Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/scholarships" class="">Scholarships</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/undergraduate-honors-programs" class="">Undergraduate Honors Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions/program-objectives-abet" class="">Program Objectives</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/minors" class="">Minors</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/undergraduate/5-year-bs-ms-program" class="">5-year BS-MS Program</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/academics/graduate" class="">Graduate Programs</a><ul class="graduate" > <li><a href="/academics/graduate/career-placement-and-professional-dev" class="">Career Placement & Professional Development</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program" class="">PhD Program</a><ul class="phd-program" > <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/direct-phd" class="">Direct PhD Course Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/5-year-funding" class="">5-Year PhD Funding Guarantee</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/post-MS-phd-course-requirements" class="">Post-MS PhD Course Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/phd-student-status-and-requirements" class="">PhD Student Status and Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/time-limitation-and-milestones" class="">Time Limitation and Milestones</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/exam-faqs" class="">PhD Exams</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/doctoral-committee" class="">Doctoral Committee</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/phd-program/degree-conferral-and-checklist" class="">Degree Conferral and Checklist</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/academics/graduate/ms-degree-program" class="">MS/MEng Degree Programs </a><ul class="ms-degree-program" > <li><a href="/academics/graduate/ms-degree-program/meng-degree" class="">MEng Degree - On Campus or Online </a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/ms-degree-program/ms-degree-non-thesis-campus" class="">MS Degree Non Thesis - On Campus or Online</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/ms-degree-program/ms-degree-thesis" class="">MS Degree with Thesis - on campus only</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/resources-living" class="">Resources for New Graduate Students/Living in Urbana-Champaign</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/certificates" class="">Specialized Certificates</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/academics/graduate/funding" class="">Funding, Fees, Awards, and Fellowships</a><ul class="funding" > <li><a href="/academics/graduate/funding/fellowships-external" class="">Fellowships- External</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/funding/fellowships-internal" class="">Fellowships- Internal</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/funding/graduate-awards" class="">Graduate Awards</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/funding/research-assistantships" class="">Research Assistantships</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/funding/teaching-assistantships" class="">Teaching Assistantships</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/course-offerings" class="">Course Offerings</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/breadth-and-mathematics-requirements" class="">Breadth and Mathematics Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/suggested-program-tracks" class="">Suggested Program Tracks</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/policies-all-graduate-students" class="">Policies for all Graduate Students</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/graduate/program-faqs" class="">Program FAQs</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/academics/professional-opportunities" class="">Professional Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/academics/student-organizations" class="">Student Organizations</a></li> <li><a href="https://ws.engr.illinois.edu/sitemanager/getfile.asp?id=1916" class="">Graduate Student Mentoring (PDF)</a></li> <li><a href="https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/2021/fall/AE" class="">Courses</a></li> </ul></div></div></section> </div> </li> <li class="dropdown mega nav-item"> <a href="/research" class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><span>Research</span></a> <div class="dropdown-menu tile-list" id="mainnav-research"> <section class="tile menu white-box col"> <h2><a href="/research">Research</a></h2> <div class="row"><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li><a href="/research/interdisciplinary-centers" class="">Interdisciplinary Centers</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/research/research-facilities" class="">Research Facilities</a><ul class="research-facilities" > <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/aerodynamics-research-lab" class="">Aerodynamics Research Lab</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/combustion-flow-and-plasma-interaction-laboratory" class="">Combustion, Flow, and Plasma Interaction Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/computational-aeroacoustics-laboratory" class="">Computational Aeroacoustics Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/computational-design-innovation-laboratory" class="">Computational Design Innovation Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/experimental-robotics-lab" class="">Experimental Robotics Lab</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/gas-dynamics-laboratory" class="">Gas Dynamics Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/intelligent-robotics-lab" class="">Intelligent Robotics Lab</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/laboratory-advanced-space-systems-illinois-lassi" class="">Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois (LASSI)</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/laser-and-optical-diagnostics-laboratory" class="">Laser and Optical Diagnostics Laboratory</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-facilities/undergraduate-materials-structures-and-controls-instructional" class="">Undergraduate Materials, Structures, and Controls Instructional Laboratories</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/research/research-areas" class="">Research Areas</a><ul class="research-areas" > <li><a href="/research/research-areas/aeroacoustics" class="">Aeroacoustics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/aeroelasticity" class="">Aeroelasticity</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/aerospace-materials" class="">Aerospace Materials</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/aerospace-structures" class="">Aerospace Structures</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/aerospace-systems-design-and-simulation" class="">Aerospace Systems Design and Simulation</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/applied-aerodynamics" class="">Applied Aerodynamics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/astrodynamics" class="">Astrodynamics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/combustion-and-propulsion" class="">Combustion and Propulsion</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/computational-fluid-dynamics" class="">Computational Fluid Dynamics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/controls-dynamical-systems-and-estimation" class="">Controls, Dynamical Systems and Estimation</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/experimental-fluid-mechanics" class="">Experimental Fluid Mechanics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/flow-control" class="">Flow Control</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/hypersonics" class="">Hypersonics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/laser-and-optical-diagnostics" class="">Laser and Optical Diagnostics</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/nanosatellites" class="">Satellite Design and Manufacturing</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/space-systems" class="">Space Systems</a></li> <li><a href="/research/research-areas/unmanned-aerial-vehicles" class="">Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div><div class="menucol col-sm"><ul><li class="dropdown"><a href="/research/mechanical-testing-facility" class="">Mechanical Testing Facility</a><ul class="mechanical-testing-facility" > <li><a href="/research/mechanical-testing-facility/calibration" class="">Calibration</a></li> <li><a href="/research/mechanical-testing-facility/instruction" class="">Instruction</a></li> <li><a href="/research/mechanical-testing-facility/structural-testing" class="">Structural Testing</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/research/machine-shop" class="">Machine Shop</a><ul class="machine-shop" > <li><a href="/research/machine-shop/fabrication" class="">Fabrication</a></li> <li><a href="/research/machine-shop/instructional-support" class="">Instructional Support</a></li> <li><a href="/research/machine-shop/precision-machining" class="">Precision Machining</a></li> <li><a href="/research/machine-shop/strain-gaging-and-load-cells" class="">Strain gaging and load cells</a></li> </ul> </li> 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href="/alumni/aerospace-engineering-alumni-board-and-aerospace-alumni-strategic-advisory-committee" class="">Aerospace Engineering Alumni Board and Recent Alumni Advisory Group</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards" class="">Alumni Awards</a><ul class="alumni-awards" > <li><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards/#achievement" class="">Alumni Association Achievement Award</a></li> <li><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards/#loyalty" class="">Alumni Loyalty Award</a></li> <li><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards/#distinguishedservice" class="">College of Engineering at Illinois Alumni Award for Distinguished Service</a></li> <li><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards/#distinguished" class="">Distinguished Alumnus Award</a></li> <li><a href="/alumni/alumni-awards/#hilton" class="">Harry H. 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the week before classes begin in January and around the beginning of classes in August.</p> <p><strong>Q: When do I have to take the Qualifying Exam?<br></strong>A: Students in the direct PhD program must take the Qualifying Exam no later than the third offering after their first term of enrollment.  Students in the regular PhD program must take the Qualifying Exam no later than the second offering after their initial term of enrollment.  Example: a student who initially enrolls in the fall semester, must take the exam on or before the following fall (if regular PhD program) or the following spring (if direct PhD program).  You may take the exam earlier, if desired, with advisor permission.</p> <p><strong>Q: How do I sign up to take the Qualifying Exam?<br></strong>A: An email with information about the qualifying exam will be sent to all graduate students in early fall for the January offering and in spring for the August offering. Students interested in taking the qualifying exam will need to reply to the email and include a list of all coursework taken since the BS degree.</p> <p><strong>Q: Are copies of old exams available for study purposes?<br></strong>A: Yes. Once you notify Graduate Programs that you plan to take the exam, you will be added to a BOX folder with past Qualifying Exam information for your review.</p> <p><strong>Q: Can I learn who else is taking the exam so that we can study together?<br></strong>A: Unfortunately, no. The names of students taking the qualifying exam cannot be released, even to the faculty, until after the exam.</p> <p><strong>Q: Are calculators/tables/lists of equations/etc. permitted?<br></strong>A: You will receive a letter from the Chair of the Qualifying Exam in your area which will detail what is acceptable.</p> <p><strong>Q: When will I learn the results of the exam?<br></strong>A: The department tries to notify all students of the results no later than two weeks after the exam.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="tile w110 white-box text-center" id="tile28712" data-tileid="28712" > <div class="wrapper py-5"> <div class="lower maxwidth1140 " id="lower28712"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Graduate Contacts</h2></div> <div class="col-md column1 px-md-4 py-4 mx-md-2 platinum-box" > <p><a href="/directory/profile/tbretl"><img src="/_sitemanager/viewphoto.aspx?id=76456&s=215" alt="" class="image" data-fancy-caption="" width="215" loading="lazy" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:chasioti@illinois.edu"><strong>Ioannis Chasiotis  </strong></a>  <br>Director of Graduate Studies<br><a href="mailto:chasioti@illinois.edu">chasioti@illinois.edu</a></p> </div> <div class="col-md column2 px-md-4 py-4 mx-md-2 platinum-box" > <p><a href="/directory/profile/gerhold"><img src="/_sitemanager/viewphoto.aspx?id=52108&s=225" alt="Jenna Russell" class="image" data-fancy-caption="" width="225" loading="lazy" /></a></p> <p><strong><a href="mailto:jennar@illinois.edu">Jenna Russell</a></strong><br>Graduate Programs Coordinator<br><a href="mailto:jennar@illinois.edu">jennar@illinois.edu</a></p> </div> <div class="col-md column3 px-md-4 py-4 mx-md-2 platinum-box" > <p><a href="/directory/profile/hasken2"><img src="/_sitemanager/viewphoto.aspx?id=76452&s=251" alt="Dung Quach Wisdom" class="image" data-fancy-caption="" width="251" loading="lazy" /></a></p> <p><a href="mailto:pdq@illinois.edu"><strong>Dung Quach Wisdom</strong></a><br>Graduate Programs Advisor<br><a href="mailto:pdq@illinois.edu">pdq@illinois.edu</a></p> </div> <div class="col-12"></div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </main> </div> <footer> <div class="site-footer hide-empty" data-value=""></div> <div class="site-footer show-empty" data-value=""> <div class="container-fluid maxwidth1140"> <div class="row justify-content-between"> <div class="col-12 col-md-6 mb-5 mb-md-0"> <h2 class="site-title"><a href="/">Aerospace Engineering</a></h2> <div class="il-footer-social"> <ul> <li class="hide-empty" data-value="32"><a href="https://twitter.com/AEatIllinois"><i class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></i><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value="39"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aeatillinois/"><i class="fab fa-instagram"></i><span class="sr-only">Instagram</span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value="37"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AEatIllinois"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i><span class="sr-only">Facebook</span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value="102"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/aerospace-engineering-at-the-university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/"><i class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></i><span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value="56"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcVqWBxAIX_-UbkZj5YyiA"><i class="fab fa-youtube"></i><span class="sr-only">YouTube</span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value=""><a href=""><i class=""></i><span class="sr-only"></span></a></li> <li class="hide-empty" data-value=""><a href=""><i class=""></i><span class="sr-only"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="il-footer-contact"> <p>306 Talbot Laboratory, MC-236</p> <p>104 S. 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