E-mail this pageFrequently Asked Questions About Comprehensive Exam at ACC Branch Campus
We make every effort to answer your questions and meet any needs you might have. If there is anything we can help you with or there are any question we failed to answer here, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to help you or sit down and discuss your concerns with you. You matter to us!
How do I register?
You may register online - not via Banner Web but you can register online through the plattsburgh.edu website. Click on "testing" on the left of this page or "student resources" and you will find a link to the "comprehensive exam."
Do I have to list all those courses on the registration form or website?
Students need to verify they have completed 27 credit hours. Student also need to list courses that they might be willing to or feel confident enough to answer a question from.
How many questions do I have to answer?
You will list 9 courses with the instructors who taught them (see previous question), and you will need to answer 4 questions.
How long do I have to take the test?
You will have 4 hours to take the exam. Four hours, four questions. If you need extra time or you feel you might need extra time, please discuss this with your test proctor(s) before the exam begins.
Why do I need to list the instructor who I took the course with?
We have many instructors who often teach the same course(s). It is not fair for us to ask you to answer a question for a course from an instructor you have not had. Therefore, each instructor who teaches a course for us submits a comprehensive exam question. It is important you list the instructor who taught the course you took, so you get a question that will be appropriate for you.
What happens if I do not list all nine courses or I do not list the instructor who I had for the course I list?
If you do not list all nine courses you may not be able to take the comprehensive exam. If you do not list the instructor who taught the course(s) you took, you may not have the appropriate question(s) on your exam or you may not be able to take the comprehensive exam. Please discuss any specific questions with Tom or Michelle at the SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus Office. Please use the contact information at the left of your screen.
What if I had several transfer courses from other colleges?
In the event that a student has several transfer courses, we make every effort to offer the student as many comprehensive exam questions as we can. The reality is that you may be limited by the number of questions you have to choose from based on the number of SUNY Plattsburgh courses you have completed. Keep this in mind when you register for the comprehensive exam and if necessary discuss any concerns with Tom or Michelle.
I am taking a course right now I would like to answer a question for and the instructor has not submitted a comp question. What do I do?
First, you must be within 27 credit hours of your coursework. Second, in many cases, an instructor might be new and might not have submitted a comp question yet. If the instructor is not new, let us know! We may have a question on file! If not, we make every effort to anticipate these circumstances and try to offer a question for the course, but in the event you do not receive a question for the instructor you anticipate, a generic question will be given - a question that any graduate education student should be able to answer successfully.
I am taking a course and when I mentioned the comp exam, the instructor knew nothing of the exam or the question?
In some circumstances, either the instructor has not been approached yet for a comprehensive exam question and/or the instructor is not aware that graduate students need to complete this requirement. Please be aware that EVERY effort is made to obtain comprehensive exam questions from new faculty or existing faculty for current and new courses. The Plattsburgh Branch Campus Faculty or Staff should always be your first resource for information.
I heard that some instructors offer a study session or help with the comps. Is this true?
While it is true that some instructors offer a study session or offer their assistance regarding the comprehensive exam, some will not. It is a personal decision. If there is a study session available we will know about it. Please call our office details: (518) 792-5425.
I still have questions!
Please call the SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus (518) 792-5425 or email branchcampus@plattsburgh.edu for a quick response.
Contact Information
For more information about the SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus at Adirondack Community College, please contact:
Phone: (518) 792-5425
Fax:(518) 792-3868
E-mail: branchcampus@plattsburgh.edu
Office Hours (summer hours)
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
and by appointment.
Branch Campus Address:
SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus at ACC
667 Bay Road, Suite 2B
Queensbury, NY 12804
Main Campus Address:
SUNY Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 564-2000