[tangentspace]

I've worked through various exams and research problems leading to a math PhD, and I see the similarity. I fail to see how someone articulating an observation about that "glorifies" the interview questions.

I've heard students complain that graduate qualifying exams are a form of hazing for people hoping to become pure mathematicians, and although I don't entirely agree with that sentiment, they do play a similar role in weeding out people based on preparation rather than ability to generate deep, novel insights.