Training session - on new process for graduate students - exams etc.

Important note: these are my notes and may contain errors.  

I am sitting in on the training session for SOE graduate work today.
I will try to add things that I learn here....

First here is a link to the forms that you will need to complete the entire process.
There is allot of information about exams on this page.  Including dates for the old and new examination process.

Forms for exam - it was explained that there are three forms for the exam. These forms are
SOE Form 14 - Intent to complete Ph.D. exam
SOE Form 15 - Affirmation signature page - you submit this form with your exam response.
GS-16 = this form goes to the graduate school - it is signed during your oral exam.

There are only one exam when undergoing the new format.  You have a one exam that you take after all of our course work is done.  You have one month to take the exam.  And you defend your exam with you committee (you get the GS 16 signed). You should schedule your oral examination of your exam within three to six weeks after you take it.  If it takes longer seven to eight weeks no problem.

There are very few conditions that would allow you to suspend your writing on the exam.  Once you start you can't stop.  So make sure that you are ready.

The deadlines are established by the Graduate School.   See the memo below.

Preliminary exam writing.  The writing should be informed by, but not representative of, your earlier work.  In other words - don't copy entire pages from previous work and include them in your exam writing.  The intent is that you write this during your exam writing period.

If pass... then you move onto your dissertation proposal.

The two semester rule:
This is the rule that states that you must have one full semester between the signing of the GS16 (examination pass and signed) and he GS24 (final defense of the dissertation). 

Example, if you make the deadline for the fall semester 2011 for your exam (see memo below) - the GS 16 is signed and submitted to the Graduate School.  You can not graduate until Summer 2012.  You need one full semester between the GS16 and the GS24 (final defense).

Your Proposal - and forms
SOE Form 32 - Dissertation Proposal Review (internal to SOE - approval of your project)
This is an important document and meeting.  You get agreement (approval) with your committee about your project.

FAQ - there are several interesting questions answered here.