The exam consists of a written report on a substantial project, previously approved by the instructor or, in exceptional circumstances, by the faculty, and of a (typically 30 minute) presentation by the candidate, followed by a question-and-answer period of approximately the same length. The written report is due one week before the end of Spring quarter. The presentation will take place within one week of the end of Spring quarter.

The purpose of the question-and-answer period is primarily to explore the student's comprehension of the project material, but questions may address wider issues concerning the "Dependent Data" sequence.

If a candidate fails the exam, he/she has the following options (at the discretion of the faculty):

• retake the exam in the following year, based on the same project
• retake the exam in the following year, based on a new project
• retake 516/517/518 and the exam, with the same project
• retake 516/517/518 and the exam, with a new project

The faculty as a whole make the ultimate pass/fail decision; the committee merely submits a recommendation.