Comprehensive+Exam+Policy

=Comprehensive Examination=

Every graduating student is required to pass a comprehensive examination on completion of course work. This four to six hour examination is held after every regular semester. The examination consists of six half an hour papers from different disciplines, followed by a one to four hour case study exam.

After completion of coursework, the maximum period allowed to clear the comprehensive examination is 10 years for the students admitted prior to 2004, in maximum three attempts. However, the students admitted in 2004 and onwards are allowed maximum 5 years to pass the comprehensive examination from the date of completion of course work with no restriction on number of attempts.

Students, who fail to pass the comprehensive examination, are eligible only for the individual course certificates. A student is eligible for a transcript/degree only after passing the comprehensive examination. However, he/she may obtain a provisional certificate on completion of the course requirement.

PhD students take a comprehensive examination governed by the PhD program.

Relaxation:
In its 49th Meeting, the Academic Board lifted the 10 year time bar rule for the students admitted prior to 2004. However, the limit on the number of attempts for such students remains fixed at three.

Source: 35th meeting of the Academic Board, January 4, 2006, Item 2 49th meeting of the Academic Board, August 29, 2009, Decision 10.24, page 14 URL: http://www.iba.edu.pk/news/ProgramAnnouncement_080612.pdf, page 43 keywords: examinations, maximum number of attempts,

See also: Time bar rule