My Experience of Taking the English Major Doctoral Entrance Examination

As a graduate of English major, I have always been fascinated by the beauty of language and literature. Pursuing a doctoral degree in English has always been my dream, and I finally had the opportunity to take the doctoral entrance examination last year. The experience was both challenging and rewarding, and I would like to share it with you.

First of all, the preparation for the exam was not easy. I had to review all the courses I had taken in the past six years, including English literature, linguistics, translation, and cultural studies. I also had to read extensively in my field, and practice writing academic papers. But the most difficult part was the language test, which required me to have a good command of both English and Chinese. I spent most of my time practicing my writing and speaking skills, and improving my vocabulary and grammar.

On the day of the exam, I was nervous but confident. The exam consisted of two parts: written and oral. The written test included an essay on a given topic, a translation from Chinese to English, and a comprehension test. The oral test was a presentation on a topic related to my field, followed by a Q&A session with the professors.

The essay topic was about the influence of Shakespeare on modern literature, which was a topic I had studied before. I was able to organize my ideas and write a coherent essay within the given time limit. The translation was a bit challenging, as the Chinese text was quite technical. But I managed to translate it accurately, thanks to my extensive vocabulary and knowledge of Chinese culture. The comprehension test was relatively easy, as it tested my understanding of the English language and literature.

The oral presentation was the most challenging part of the exam. I had to present my research on the impact of cultural globalization on English language teaching, which was a topic I had been working on for months. I was nervous at first, but I managed to deliver a clear and concise presentation, and answered the professors' questions confidently.

Overall, the experience of taking the English major doctoral entrance examination was both challenging and rewarding. It tested my knowledge, skills, and confidence in my field, and gave me a sense of accomplishment. I hope my experience can inspire other English majors who are considering pursuing a doctoral degree, and help them prepare for the exam.