qualies

Qualies is an informal plural term used mainly to refer to qualifying assessments in professional and academic contexts. In graduate education, especially in North American PhD programs, "qualies" (or "quals") denote the qualifying examinations that students must pass to advance from coursework to candidacy. These exams can be written, oral, or a combination, and commonly assess breadth of knowledge, readiness for research, and mastery of core concepts within a discipline.

Formats and procedures vary by institution and field: some programs use timed written tests, others require submission of a research proposal or portfolio, and some emphasize extended oral examinations before a faculty committee. Outcomes typically include passing, conditional passing with required remediation, or failing; results may affect funding, enrollment status, or continuation in the program.

The term is also used in motorsport and other competitive arenas to describe qualifying sessions that determine starting positions for races. In that context, skills tested include speed under time pressure and consistency over short runs.

Preparation strategies for academic qualies often combine structured study plans, practice exams, reading groups, and mentorship from advisors and peers. Critiques of qualifying processes focus on stress, variation in standards across programs, and the potential for nonacademic factors to influence outcomes. Some institutions have revised qualies toward more transparent, formative, or research-focused models.