Memorizing facts and author names won't cut it on your comp exam. Committees want to see you interpret the literature and answer questions with real understanding, not just recite what you've read.
What's going to stop you and hurt you in one of these traditional comprehensive exams is if you're just memorizing facts. Because memorizing facts isn't going to do it for you. It's when you understand that it's your committee, your department, your faculty are looking to see, do you actually understand the material? Look, an undergraduate can go to the library or onto their computer and come up with 27 articles. And then spit back, Jones said this, and Smith said this, and Johnson said this. That can be done easily. It's your interpretation of this material and what material you bring in to answer a question. I've also worked with a number of people to prepare for their comprehensive exams. If you're interested, become a member of our Dissertation Help Group.
