This should *never* have to happen to a PhD student. Quals are the most stressful part of grad, and mean shit. If you want to make sure your students have their core courses down, no test do this. Make core courses adequate, and students will have them down w/o needless stress.
The only reason a PhD student should be prevented from obtaining their PhD is for failing to defend appropriately or not having the minimum GPA required. But quals on top of that? Bullshit. Once I'm done my courses I'm coming down and advocating for their removal *hard*.
Students don't go to grad school to relive PGRE nonsense, we go for research, papers, learn advanced physics that'll help w/research. We're expected to take courses, do research, crank papers, *and* quals? I've never lived anything more stressful. Won't stop till they're removed.
The problem with these tests is that there are so many factors that can affect a student's performance, and none of it matters because if you have an off day, no one cares and you fail. It doesn't really test your knowledge.
