Comps – But Definitely Not the Free Kind

Let down your defenses and get to know San Francisco’s looming Preliminary Examinations.

By Chelsea Williams, Spring 2010

If you’re like me, you haven’t thought much about the looming prelims that G2s face at the end of the spring semester on CSPP’s San Francisco Campus—I mean, they’re not until summer, right? And besides, who really knows what they are? Well, if it weren’t for the mysteriousness of the comps, I would probably still be employing my avoidance defense mechanism. But, my curiosity finally got the best of me and I clicked on a link in an email from Dr. Sureli Patel, leading to a wealth of information about the ins and outs of the elusive exams. The resources on the link provided many answers to my many questions. Here’s some of what I learned: What are Preliminary Examinations (aka Comps aka Prelims)?

These are structured comprehensive exams that clinical students must pass prior to advancing to doctoral candidacy. Preliminary examinations for PsyD and PhD students test Ethics and Assessment. Clinical PhD students take an additional two-part preliminary examination on Statistical procedures. When do I take these examinations?

Eligibility begins once the prerequisite courses for a particular exam are passed. Ethics and Assessment preliminary examinations will be offered in May or June for all G2 clinical psychology students. The Ethics exam will be held on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010, and the Assessment exam on Friday, June 11th, 2010. First year PhD students take the Statistics exams Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 (Article Critique) and Thursday, May 27th, 2010 (SPSS). What are the prerequisite courses?

PsyDs and PhDs must take Clinical and Ethical Issues, Intellectual Assessment, and Psychodiagnositc Assessment. PhDs must also take Psychometrics, Statistics, & Research Design. How do I register for the exams?

Look for an email from Dr. Sureli Patel and follow her instructions or visit Alliant’s e-learning website. You will get a message: “You are about to enroll yourself as a member of this course. Are you sure you wish to do this?” Click “Yes.” How do I prepare for the exams?

Core concept lists for Ethics and Assessment are located on the same site used to signup. Other resources are available on this site including review sessions by Drs. Tori, King, Michaels, and Taube. The examinations are administered at least three weeks after classes end so there will be time to study. However, preparing for success should be a consistent effort throughout the year and not confined to the period right before the exams. What happens if I have a scheduling conflict and can’t take the exam?

Exceptions to the June norm are rare, but are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Program Directors. Examples of exceptions are students with a serious illness or grave academic or personal circumstances. What happens if I don’t pass an exam?

Don’t lose hope … yet. The exams are also offered in August and the January. These test dates are specifically for people who have already failed to pass one or more of the Preliminary Examinations. Persons taking the January or August exams for the first time must be approved on a case-by-case basis by a Program Director. If a student can’t take the prelim in June and is granted permission to take the test for the first time in August, failing the exam would result in an inability to advance to candidacy, and could have detrimental repercussions for internship applications. What happens if I fail an exam twice?

If you fail the Ethics or Assessment exam twice, you must make an appointment to meet with your Faculty Advisor to discuss a remediation plan that must be submitted to the Faculty Committee on Student Evaluation (FCSE). Please note that because of this requirement, students who do not pass preliminary exams after a second time will not be allowed to sit for any future administration without FCSE approval. Please discuss concerns with your Faculty Advisor and remember that no student may take the exam more than four times.

I you have more questions, please contact Dr. Sureli Patel skpatel@alliant.edu. Remember, serious concerns are better addressed sooner rather than later.