GGAM Preliminary Examinations

The PhD Preliminary Examination is a written examination covering MAT 201ABC and MAT 207ABC. The exam is offered at the beginning of Fall and Spring quarters every year. The exam is usually held a few days before the start of classes.

PhD students are required to pass this examination before the end of their second year in the Applied Mathematics program (and if they entered with a Masters, by October of their second year). They may take the examination multiple times; what matters is when they pass, not how many attempts. The results of this examination will be used by the GGAM Executive Committee to determine whether the student can enter or continue in the PhD program.

VIGRE Sponsored Examination Workshops

As part of the VIGRE program at UC Davis, the Department conducts review and problem-solving workshops aimed at helping students get ready for the graduate preliminary exams. All students are welcome to participate, though it will be particularly useful for entering students in both the Mathematics and GGAM programs, and for first-year students who have not yet passed their written exams. For more information and a schedule of upcoming workshops, please visit our VIGRE-sponsored preparatory Exam Workshops webpage.

About the PhD Preliminary Examination

MAT 201ABC (Analysis Portion):

  • Chair of the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) asks two sitting members of the GPC to compose problems in consultation with the previous year's 201ABC instructors. These problems are forwarded to the GPC/GGAM chairs.
  • The GPC/GGAM chairs select the final exam problems.
  • The exam workshop instructors grade the exams.
  • The GGAM chair evaluates the grades and recommends the pass/fail status of the students to the GGAM Executive Committee.
  • The GGAM Executive Committee discusses and finalizes the chair's recommendation.

    MAT 207ABC (Methods in Applied Mathematics Portion):

  • The GGAM Executive Committee asks previous year's MAT 207ABC instructors for potential exam problems, and selects the final exam problems.
  • The above-mentioned instructors grade the exams.
  • The GGAM chair evaluates the grades and recommends the pass/fail status of the students to the GGAM Executive Committee.
  • The GGAM Executive Committee discusses and finalizes the chair's recommendation.

    Previous Preliminary Examinations (All Exams in PDF format)

    Fall 2011
    Spring 2011
    Fall 2010
    Spring 2010
    Fall 2009
    Winter 2009
    Fall 2008
    Winter 2008
    Fall 2007
    Winter 2007
    Fall 2006
    Winter 2005
    Fall 2004
    Fall 2003
    Winter 2003
    Fall 2002
    Winter 2002
    Fall 2001
    Fall 2000
    Winter 2000
    Fall 1999
    Fall 1998
    Winter 1998
    Fall 1997
    Winter 1997
    Spring 1996
    Winter 1995


  • Copyright © UC Regents, Davis campus. All rights reserved.