This past Saturday the PhD Diagnostic Exam was given, and 7 hours after the procedure began, I emerged, thoroughly examined. I won’t know the results for a couple weeks. I suppose that until then, I can’t say that I’ve actually been diagnosed, unless the act of taking the test is itself the diagnosis.
The test was divided into four sections: sound structure (phonology), grammatical structure (syntax), meaning and use (pragmatics & semantics), and meaning in context (sociolinguistics and historical & comparative linguistics). Each section had 2 or 3 essay questions to choose from, and for each section, there was at least one question that I felt reasonably confident answering. I thank the Lord for mental alertness and help for my hand, which sometimes cramps up badly if I write for an extended period of time.
When I came home, Amy prepared chicken fajitas, and we had a nice relaxing evening. Homework was prohibited. (A little more praise for my wife: as the exam was approaching, Amy was such a help to me in carving out time to study, relieving me from other work, and encouraging me.)
And thanks to you all for praying.
I was tired just reading all of those big words. 😉 Praise the Lord for the clarity. I’m sure you did well!!!
Did you only have to answer one essay per section? (Only is a terrible word to use here.) Can I infer from the “reasonably confident” statement that you felt pretty positive overall, as in you think you passed? I know when I went through my comps, you never feel like you did well. You spend the next month beating yourself up over all the ways you could have answered better. Then you move to the next stage of just trying your hardest to not remember the event at all! Meanwhile, all your friends tell you, “I’m sure you did well!” ….They have no idea…
Kudos to Amy!
I need Amy to post some pics. I’m suffering from withdrawal. 😉 Isn’t tonight girl’s night or something like that? I love you guys.
We thank the Lord with you that the test is history and that He allowed you clarity of mind – also that your hand held out for you. Yeah for Amy for her encouragement before AND after the test. You’ll do the same for her when her time comes, right? We’ll celebrate next time you are home. Love and miss you both!
Amy is a great encourager and will always look out for you!!! You can count on that! Josh, you have prepared well and God will honor that preparation and scholorship.