Qualifying exam prep
Graduate · Chemistry
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Exam format and strategy
- Understanding departmental qualifying exam structure
- Written vs oral exam components and timing
- Topic coverage: organic, inorganic, physical, analytical breadth
- Historical pass rates and common failure modes
- Study timeline: 6-month and 3-month preparation plans
- Practice exam archives and peer study groups
- Faculty expectations and evaluation rubrics
- Retake policies and appeal procedures
- Balancing research and exam preparation
- Stress management and exam-day logistics
Organic chemistry review
- Reaction mechanisms: substitution, elimination, addition, rearrangement
- Pericyclic reactions and stereochemistry
- Spectroscopy-based structure elucidation problems
- Retrosynthesis and forward synthesis planning
- Named reactions and reagent selection
- Physical organic concepts: Hammett, pKa, kinetics
- Organometallic catalysis mechanisms
- Bioorganic and medicinal chemistry highlights
- Common qualifying exam problem types
- Timed problem-solving practice strategies
Inorganic and analytical review
- Coordination chemistry: bonding, spectra, magnetism
- Organometallic reaction steps and catalytic cycles
- Main-group chemistry and cluster compounds
- Solid-state and materials chemistry essentials
- Group theory and symmetry applications
- Quantitative analysis: error, equilibrium, electrochemistry
- Instrumental methods: chromatography, MS, NMR, IR
- Spectroscopic interpretation problems
- Bioinorganic highlights: metalloproteins, models
- Descriptive chemistry trends across the periodic table
Physical chemistry review
- Thermodynamics: laws, potentials, phase equilibria
- Statistical mechanics: ensembles, partition functions
- Chemical kinetics: rate laws, mechanisms, catalysis
- Quantum chemistry: hydrogen atom, MO theory, spectroscopy
- Electrochemistry: Nernst, Butler–Volmer, cells
- Transport phenomena: diffusion, viscosity (intro)
- Mathematical methods: calculus, differential equations, linear algebra
- Physical chemistry problem-solving techniques
- Connecting theory to experimental observables
- Cross-topic integrative problems
STEM / applied
Practice and remediation
- Weekly timed problem sets mimicking exam conditions
- Mock oral exams with peers and mentors
- Whiteboard presentation practice for oral components
- Identifying and filling knowledge gaps systematically
- One-page summary sheets for each major topic area
- Flashcard decks for reactions, reagents, and constants
- Office hours with faculty for clarification of scope
- Review of classic textbooks: Clayden, Miessler, Atkins, Skoog
- Online resources: MIT OCW, Khan Academy for math review
- Post-mortem analysis of practice exam performance
Program navigation
- Understanding advancement to candidacy requirements
- Advisor selection timing relative to qualifying exam
- Committee composition and expectations
- Funding implications of exam outcomes
- International student visa considerations
- Accommodations for disabilities and extensions
- Department culture and peer support networks
- Transition from coursework to research focus
- Long-term career planning beyond the qualifying exam
- Alumni advice and mentorship for exam preparation
Notes
Qualifying exam preparation varies significantly by department. Topics reflect common breadth expected at US chemistry PhD programs. Standard and STEM/applied tracks cover complementary study strategies; align preparation with your department's specific exam format and rubric.