CHAPTER 7: SYSTEM OF EXAMINATIONS

Article (40)

Conducting and grading graduate courses for diploma, master’s, and doctoral degrees should follow the undergraduate studies and examination rules and regulations which were approved by the Higher Education Council in its second meeting on 11/6/1416 H, with the exception of the following:

1.      A minimum of “Good” (C) grade is required for the student to pass a course.

2.      The Council of the Deanship of Graduate Studies should set appropriate policies as per the Department Council’s recommendation and approval of the College Council with regard to substitute examinations and courses requiring a duration of study of more than one semester.

3.      Master’s students -if required by the program- and doctoral students must pass comprehensive oral and written examinations after the completion of all the required coursework. This comprehensive examination should be conducted by a specialized committee according to regulations set by the University Board as per the recommendations of the Department Council and the approval of the College Council concerned and the Council of the Deanship of Graduate Studies. This examination should cover the student’s major field of study as well as the other related fields if exist. The student will be considered a candidate for the degree in question if he passes the examination at the first sitting. In case of failure in the examination or part of it, a second chance will be given to the student within the following two semesters. Failure to pass the examination a second time will incur dismissal from the program.

Article (40-1)

The marks scored by the student are to be recorded according to the Undergraduate Studies and Examination Rules which were approved by the Higher Education Council, in its second meeting on 11/6/1416 H, subject to what is stipulated in Article 40 of the Unified Regulation for Graduate Studies in Saudi universities, i.e., the exceptions mentioned.

Article (40-2)

1.      The comprehensive examination is composed of two parts: written and oral.

2.      The comprehensive examination (written and oral) will be in the major field and secondary fields (if any).

3.      The comprehensive exam aims to measure the student’s capability in two main areas:

a.      Knowledge: the exam aims to measure the student’s capability, depth and comprehension to understand the major field subjects, and also secondary fields (if any).

b.      Analysis: The exam aims to measure the student’s capability in analyzing, in making complementary action between concepts and conclusion, and in suggesting reasonable solutions and reasonable answers for questions directed to him/her.

4.      The Comprehensive Exam Committee:

a.      The department council establishes an exam committee of odd numbered members, from amongst full professors and associate professors, who belong to the same major or secondary fields of the student concerned. For the master’s degree, an assistant professor, with two years experience as assistant professor can be chosen as a member of this committee.

b.      The committee is responsible for preparing the comprehensive exams, to correct them, and to announce exam results. The committee then raises the exam results to the department council for approval.

c.      If the program requirements contain a major field or secondary fields from outside the department, then it is so necessary that one of the staff members of the concerned department/departments should be a member of the committee.

5.      Written Exam:

a.      The written exam is to be held during the semester coming after the student has finished the courses. The exam is held at a time determined by the exam committee. After the approval of the department council, the student can postpone the exam for one semester.

b.      Failing to pass the exam, the student can be given an extra chance to re-take the exam, during the two following semesters.

c.      Failing to pass the exam in the extra chance, the student is to be dismissed and this is to be according to the recommendation of department council and faculty Board, and approval of Deanship of Graduate Studies council.

6.      Oral Examination

a.      After passing the written exam, the student should sit for the oral exam, at a time decided upon by the exam committee.

b.      Failing to pass the oral exam, the student has the right to re-take an extra oral exam at any time, but not later than the next semester.

c.      Failing to pass the extra oral exam, the student will be dismissed, and this is to be according to the recommendation of the department council and the faculty board, and approval of the Deanship of Graduate Studies Council.

7.      The duration (time) of the Comprehensive Exam: According to the recommendation of concerned department council, the faculty board determines the duration (time) of each of written and oral exams.

8.      The marks needed to pass the Comprehensive Exam:

a.      Each exam (written and oral) has an independent full mark (100).

b.      PhD student passes the written and oral exams, if he scores at least 70% in written and 70% in oral, from each member of the committee.

c.      Master’s degree student passes the written and oral exams, if he achieves at least 70% in written, and 70% in oral, from most of the members of the exam committee.

9.      The faculty notifies the Deanship of Graduate studies the results of written and oral exams, in two weeks from the date of the exam.