STEM / applied
Qualifying exam prep · Graduate · Physics
Learning objectives from the Qualifying exam prep syllabus, grouped by unit. Click an objective for study materials.
Learning objectives
Click an objective for study materials.
Core area review
- Real analysis and measure theory review — Real analysis and measure theory review
- Abstract algebra — Abstract algebra
- Linear algebra review — Linear algebra review
- Topology and geometry review (program-dependent) — Topology and geometry review (program-dependent)
- Weak-area mapping and study planning — Weak-area mapping and study planning
Proof and exam strategy
- Timed proof practice under exam conditions — Timed proof practice under exam conditions
- Common proof templates — Common proof templates
- Error checking — Error checking
- Oral exam preparation (if applicable) — Oral exam preparation (if applicable)
Applied and computational topics
- Past qualifying exam problems by area — Past qualifying exam problems by area
- Numerical — Numerical
- Applied questions on exams (program-dependent) — Applied questions on exams (program-dependent)
- Probability — Probability
- Statistics qual topics (if required) — Statistics qual topics (if required)
- Problem-set strategies under time pressure — Problem-set strategies under time pressure
Definitions and structure
- Real analysis and measure theory review — Real analysis and measure theory review
- Abstract algebra — Abstract algebra
- Linear algebra review — Linear algebra review
- Topology and geometry review (program-dependent) — Topology and geometry review (program-dependent)
- Weak-area mapping and study planning — Weak-area mapping and study planning
Proofs and reasoning
- Timed proof practice under exam conditions — Timed proof practice under exam conditions
- Common proof templates — Common proof templates
- Error checking — Error checking
- Oral exam preparation (if applicable) — Oral exam preparation (if applicable)
- Past qualifying exam problems by area — Past qualifying exam problems by area
Abstraction and generalization
- Numerical — Numerical
- Applied questions on exams (program-dependent) — Applied questions on exams (program-dependent)
- Probability — Probability
- Statistics qual topics (if required) — Statistics qual topics (if required)
- Problem-set strategies under time pressure — Problem-set strategies under time pressure
Modeling and computation
- Apply real analysis and measure theory review in engineering contexts — Apply real analysis and measure theory review in engineering contexts
- Apply abstract algebra in engineering contexts — Apply abstract algebra in engineering contexts
- Apply linear algebra review in engineering contexts — Apply linear algebra review in engineering contexts
- Apply topology and geometry review (program-dependent) in engineering... — Apply topology and geometry review (program-dependent) in engineering contexts
- Apply weak-area mapping and study planning in engineering contexts — Apply weak-area mapping and study planning in engineering contexts
Data and technology
- Use software to explore qualifying exam prep problems numerically — Use software to explore qualifying exam prep problems numerically
- Interpret computational results against analytic predictions — Interpret computational results against analytic predictions
- Build spreadsheets or scripts for routine calculations — Build spreadsheets or scripts for routine calculations
- Visualize functions, fields, or datasets tied to course topics — Visualize functions, fields, or datasets tied to course topics
- Connect course methods to lab, industry, or research workflows — Connect course methods to lab, industry, or research workflows
Problem-solving practice
- Timed proof practice under exam conditions — Timed proof practice under exam conditions
- Common proof templates — Common proof templates
- Error checking — Error checking
- Oral exam preparation (if applicable) — Oral exam preparation (if applicable)
- Past qualifying exam problems by area — Past qualifying exam problems by area
What each unit includes
Open a unit below for full materials. Typical resources:
- Study guide
- Exam Strategy
- Common Mistakes
- Worksheets
- Word problems
- Mixed Practice
- Multi-Unit Problems
- Review
- Practice test
- Answer key
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Core topic review
Classical mechanics: Lagrangian/Hamiltonian problems
Coming soon - Problem-solving strategy
Dimensional analysis and limiting cases
Coming soon - Past exam practice
Department-specific qual formats
Coming soon - Applied and experimental angles
Lab methods questions on error analysis
Coming soon - Study systems
Weekly problem sets mirroring qual difficulty
Coming soon - Wellness and logistics
Exam scheduling and retake policies
Coming soon
Pricing calculator
Choose materials, tutoring, or both — or book a single session as needed. Customize your plan on the subscribe page.
$1,162 · Qualifying exam prep · 18 tutoring hrs
Study guides, worksheets, reviews, practice tests, and answer keys for 1 class. 18 tutoring hours (1 hr / week · semester). Bundle discount applied vs buying separately. Pay in full via Zelle.