I`m curious if there is such an exam in other countries and what is it about? I`ve had first two years of my phd taking lessons. Now to be able to write a dissertation we must take the proficiency exam: oral and writen, questioning our theses proposal, our knowledge in the field we are going to work. Actually we did have a similar exam before being accepted to the phd, this is the second. if we fail to take this we can say goodbye to our phd? is there something similar in the place where you study?????

not an exam in UK, but most PhD students transfer from MPhil. It is as much work as an exam. There is a similar thing to what you mention in my country (but I actually study in the UK). Some of my friends took these exams and they found the level quite easy. The reason they had to take lessons on the first year and take exams is that the PhD students aren't expected to be knowledgeable in their area, or have previous research experience when they start their PhDs.

No, are you in the UK? There is now a first year viva and reports/work to hand in, but there wasn't even a viva in my first year.
That sounds very scary.

i study in turkey - istanbul - all phd students must have this exam here in order to be able to pass at the theses writing stage, and it is not easy at all. however hope it will be easy for me this tuesday thanks for the replies