The Center provides computers for taking the examination. Students should inform the Executive Secretary of any special software needs no later than two months prior to the first day of examinations. The Virginia Tech Honor Code is in effect for all aspects of this examination. Students who fail any or all of the exams may retake them in any regularly scheduled examination session. The retake exam is not to be a special exam but consists of the same questions given all other participants in the session at the time the student retakes the exam.
Students retake only the areas they have failed.
However if a student fails only one of the five core area exams, he or she may retake the same examination at any time as agreed upon by the lead reader and the student before the next offering of the Preliminary Examination. Any student who fails only one area should contact the lead reader in that area to arrange a retake examination. A student who has twice failed one or more areas of the preliminary examination is presumed to be ineligible for Ph.D. candidacy. However, this presumption is rebuttable and can be overcome if the student's record shows strong compensating academic achievements. In reaching this decision, the faculty will be guided primarily by the student's performance in the preliminary examination as a whole.