CS 305j Test Study Aids

Tests in CS 305j are the major tool for evaluation. Normally 75% of your grade is based on your performance on the midterms and finals. In general tests will be 20 - 30% short answer questions and 70 - 80% coding questions.

The way to maximize your chances for success on the tests and in the class are:

• attend lectures

• take notes in lecture

• attend small sections

• start early and complete all assignments

• if you get stuck on something (a topic from lecture, an assignment, or a sample test problem) ask for help!

• do the suggested self check problems and exercises from the book as listed on the course schedule.

• do the suggested javabat programming problems listed on the course schedule.

• do more javabat programming problems

• take the sample midterms as  practice exams, limiting yourself to the time allotted

• write out code to question on paper and then check your answers on the computer

• study for the test in groups, discussing answers to sample midterms and section handouts

• do the assigned reading and review notes from lecture

• get help as soon as your have difficulty. (Mike's office hours, TA lab hours, Proctor lab hours, listserc, study groups, UPE tutoring.)

The way to maximize your chance of doing poorly

• don't do the things above

• wait until 1 or 2 days before the assignment due date to start

• study for the test merely by looking over the slides. CS 305j tests emphasize application of knowledge, not just repetition of knowledge.