MBA Comprehensive Examination

MBA Comprehensive Examination 

MBA students will complete a comprehensive examination (ADMN 6981) as their culminating experience. Further details are provided below.

ADMN 6981

The MBA comprehensive examination, ADMN 6981, is a zero-unit culminating experience course.  In this course, an MBA student will take a comprehensive examination which evaluates his or her learning over the MBA essential courses. Before registering for ADMN 6981, an MBA student must complete seven (7) of the eight (8) essential courses (ACCT 6060, FIN 6020, IST 6090, MGMT 6010, MGMT 6850, MKTG 6050, SCM 6070, and ENTR 6210). The potential comprehensive examination questions are located in the “Tips for Preparation” section below. 

Comprehensive Examination Structure:

• The MBA comprehensive examination will include one question from each of the essential courses (ACCT 6060, FIN 6020, IST 6090, MGMT 6010, MGMT 6850, MKTG 6050, SCM 6070, and ENTR 6210).  A total of 8 questions (including various types such as essay, calculation, definition, etc.) will be included on the examination.
• MBA students are only required to answer 7 out of the 8 questions, which match the essential courses taken in the program.   
• The dates for the comprehensive examination are posted below. The MBA Office will post the exam dates prior to the start of each semester.
• The potential comprehensive examination questions are posted below. The questions are updated at the beginning of each academic year and will remain the same through the summer term.
• The comprehensive examination for the on-campus Traditional/Executive Program is taken in-person at the University.  The comprehensive examination for the Fully Online MBA Program is taken online.  
• Students are given four (4) hours to complete the exam. This must be done in one sitting.
• An MBA student can take the Comprehensive Examination (ADMN 6981) only twice during his or her program. A third and final attempt is only granted under extenuating circumstances through the approval of a petition with supporting documentation.

Tips for Preparation:

• MBA students are strongly encouraged to reach out to the MBA Office with any questions about the comprehensive examination. For assistance, please contact MBA Program Advisor Deloren West at dewest@csusb.edu
• An informational video about the MBA comprehensive examination may be viewed here: View Video

Potential Comprehensive Examination Questions for AY 2025-2026:

Accounting 6060 (ACCT 6060)

Entrepreneurship 6210 (ENTR 6210)

Finance 6020 (FIN 6020)

Information Systems and Technology 6090 (IST 6090)

Management 6010 (MGMT 6010)

Management 6850 (MGMT 6850)

Marketing 6050 (MKTG 6050)

Supply Chain Management 6070 (SCM 6070)

Registration:

The MBA Office must register students in the ADMN 6980 (MBA Portfolio) and ADMN 6981 (MBA Comprehensive Examination).  Please contact the MBA Academic Advisor Deloren West (dewest@csusb.edu) to request enrollment in the ADMN 6980 & ADMN 6981 courses.   

Exam Dates:

Grading:

The MBA Comprehensive Examination is a credit/no-credit course. A committee of faculty members responsible for preparing the questions will evaluate the students’ answers. Each question will be graded as High Pass, Pass, or No-Pass.   

1. If an MBA student passes at least 4 questions (graded as “High Pass”) out of the required 7 questions, the MBA student is considered to pass the comprehensive examination (ADMN 6981) and earn credit for ADMN 6981.  The MBA student is recognized as a student with “High Pass” and a credit (CR) will be reflected on the students transcript.
2. If an MBA student does not meet grading (1) but passes at least 4 questions (graded as either “Pass” or “High Pass”) out of the required 7 questions, the MBA student is considered to pass the comprehensive examination (ADMN 6981) and a credit (CR) will be reflected on the students transcript.
3. If an MBA student does not meet Grading (1) and (2), the MBA student is not considered to pass the Comprehensive examination (ADMN 6981) and a no credit (NC) will be reflected on the students transcript. 

No-Pass Procedure:

If an MBA student does not pass the comprehensive examination (ADMN 6981), they must contact the MBA Office to arrange a retake of the exam. Passing the comprehensive examination is required to earn the MBA degree. Each student is allowed two attempts to pass. In cases of extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a petition with supporting documentation to the MBA Office for review and possible approval of a third and final attempt. 

Grading Grievance:

If a student believes their exam answers were not graded fairly, they may file an academic grievance with the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration in accordance with University guidelines. The grievance must include a detailed explanation of the grounds for the appeal, addressing each specific section (or question) under dispute. The appropriate Department(s) will review and respond to the grievance based on the questions involved.  Please contact the MBA Program Coordinator Deloren West (dewest@csusb.edu) for instructions on filing an academic grievance.