Abstract Comprehensive exams, or “comps,” are a staple of doctoral programs as a way for students to express their understanding of material, synthesize their learning, and apply that learning to their fields of study; further, comps are deemed a rite of passage prior to advancing to the dissertation stage of the doctoral degree. Literature reviewed on the benefits/challenges of comps reflects a theme questioning the fidelity of the exams. Does a high-stakes test reassure doctoral faculty that the doctoral student has the content capacity expected of one earning a doctorate? Are comps an indicator of successful navigation through the dissertation process? This article reflects an authentic assessment process of evaluation that has successfully been instituted within a doctoral program as well as the benefits/challenges of these assessments in lieu of traditional comps. Further, we share examples of how doctoral students have developed/implemented genuine learning experiences that synthesize both content and skills they learn/practice in their program, while propelling them forward into the field of scholarship.

中文翻译：

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评估博士生：全面和真实评估的背景

摘要 综合考试或“comps”是博士课程的主要内容，是学生表达对材料的理解、综合学习并将所学应用于他们的研究领域的一种方式；此外，在进入博士学位论文阶段之前，comps 被认为是一种通过仪式。关于comps的好处/挑战的文献反映了一个质疑考试保真度的主题。高风险的考试是否能让博士生确信博士生具有获得博士学位的预期内容能力？comps 是论文过程成功导航的指标吗？本文反映了在博士课程中成功建立的真实评估评估过程，以及这些评估代替传统补偿的好处/挑战。此外，我们还分享了博士生如何开发/实施真正的学习体验，将他们在项目中学习/实践的内容和技能结合起来，同时推动他们进入奖学金领域的例子。