Studying for Comps

[uhohlemonster]

Hey all. I'm happy to say I finished reading my last book for comps yesterday, and my exam is a whole three weeks away. Any advice from people out here for how to prepare for comps (quals, what have you) at this point? I have notes for each book. I'm planning on reviewing those notes, re-reading book reviews of key texts that I may want to focus on, and focusing on the historiographical significance of each book. My program does not allow us to write our own questions or know the questions in advanced, so they best I can do is guess. Anyway, I'm not *too* worried about it, but I thought if people have good methods they used for their comps experiences, I might as well draw upon the wisdom of experienced folks.

 

Thanks!

[Sparky]

Write practice exams. Even if they're long and sprawling and on ridiculously broad "questions." ("America was colonized. Discuss.") That did more to help me get my thoughts in order than all the rereading of notes in the universe.

 

For each book, I made sure to get down:

1. author

2. argument (thesis)

3. background historiography/significance of argument

4. method

5. sources

6. outline (generally chapter by chapter breakdown) of argument

 

Does your department circulate a list of previously asked questions by each prof? We do, and it was SUPER helpful. Even if you don't have a list, ask some senior students who've done lists with some of the same profs. They'll have advice not just on what the questions might entail, but also on what the profs might be looking for.

[crazedandinfused]

@monster: I can't believe you're at comps already! I'm just putting together my lists. PM me. 

[GuitarSlayer]

Kick it old school and make flashcards like you did in elementary school.  Title of book on the "flash" side, then author, thesis, major source, and a major crit on the back. 

Edited April 30, 2014 by GuitarSlayer

[TMP]

I can't believe you're taking them before me!  I'm not taking mine until November (spent too much time traveling for research last and this summer ).

 

Amazing how departments differ.  We're allowed to write our own questions with the faculty and prepare outlines ahead of the written exam (48 hours for 20 pages).  

 

I've been doing what others have suggestion.  

 

I've learned to take other students' experiences with particular professors with a grain of salt.  Better to talk with your committee members.  You should feel comfortable asking questions as you go along.

[JustChill]

I definitely recommend having each book's thesis written down in your notes above all else. In my experience, it's far more important on comps than the sources, methodologies, or theories used by the author, because it's the book's main arguments that really allow you to weave together a historiographical synopsis.  

[thedig13]

I hate to hijack a thread, but what kinds of questions are asked for comps?

 

Obviously, I know that they differ from school to school and professor to professor, but I'd like a general idea, if possible.

[TMP]

broad historiographical concerns based off the comps list- why are they on the list in the first place?  How are they in conversation with one and another?