Test rules and format - CompSci 161, Spring 2026 (Dillencourt)

Outline:

• Test rules
• Test format

Test rules

• The tests are closed note and closed book
• You are not allowed to use a calculator, cell phone, smart watch, or other electronic device during the tests.
• No talking during the tests.
• We recommend that you arrive in the classroom a few minutes early.
• When you arrive in the classroom, go to your assigned seat.
  • You will be notified of your seat assignment through Gradescope. The details will be announced in Canvas before the test.
  • If you do not know your seat number, we will look it up for you. However, if you arrive after we have started handing out the tests, we will not interrupr the process of handing out the tests to look up your seat number. Under these circumstances, please do not ask us to tell you your seat number until we have completed handing out the tests.
• If you cannot find your assigned seat or you cannot use your assigned seat, notify a proctor. Examples of when you cannot use your assigned seat would be if the seat is broken or if someone else is already sitting in it.
• DO NOT SIT IN A SEAT THAT IS NOT YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A PROCTOR. IF YOU VIOLATE THIS RULE, YOU MAY RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE EXAM.
• When we start handing out the tests:
  • A pile of exams will be passed along the row in which you are sitting.
  • Make sure you take the exam with your name on it. It should be at the top of the pile of exams when the pile gets to you. If not, it should be near the top of the pile.
  • Take your exam and do not otherwise alter the order of the pile of exams.
  • If you do not have an exam with your name on it, raise your hand and wait for a proctor. IF YOU START WRITING ON AN EXAM THAT DOES NOT HAVE YOUR NAME ON IT, YOU MAY RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE EXAM.
  • Do not open your exam or write on it until I say start. IF YOU VIOLATE THIS RULE, YOU MAY RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE EXAM.
• When the test period ends, we will tell you to stop writing. Please do so.
• Please remember to bring a writing implement. We recommend you have a backup writing emplement just in case: pens can run out of ink, pencils can break or become too dull to write legibly, etc.
• Questions are allowed but not encouraged. If you feel that you must ask a question, the procedure is as follows:
  1. Raise your hand.
  2. One of the proctors will go the one of the ends of the row in which you are sitting and gesture to you to go that end of the row.
  3. Go to the end of the row and ask your question.
  Note that the response to your question may very well be "You should know that" or "Please read the question more carefully."
• If you think that a question on the test is ambiguous, do not ask a proctor to clarify the ambiguity. Instead, do the following.
  1. List the different interpretations of the question.
  2. State which interpretation you are using.
  3. Give an answer consistent with that interpretation.
  To the extent that we can, we will try to grade your answer consistent with your interpretation. However, if your interpretation misses the point of the question or otherwise trivializes the question, you may lose points.
• Your answers should be clear, concise, complete, and correct. This means you will lose points if your answer is ambiguous or vague, unnecessarily verbose, missing important information, or wrong.

Test format

The test booklet will consist of a cover page, some pages with questions and answers, and one or more pages for scratch work.

• When you receive the test:
  • Verify that you have the test with your name on it.
  • As noted above, do not open the test or start writing until I tell you to start.
  • As you are waiting for me to tell you to start, it is recommended that you read the instructions on the front page of the test.
• When you are taking the test:
  • Read each question carefully and completely before you answer it.
  • Follow formatting directions when present
  • There may be some fill-in-the-bubble multiple-choice or multiple-answer questions.
    • Think before you fill in the bubble(s).
    • Bring a pencil and a good eraser just in case.
  • Write each answer in the indicated location for the answer.
  • If for some reason you write your answer somewhere other than the indicated location for the answer:
    • Make sure it is on the front side of an exam page. (See the third item in this list.)
    • In or near the indicated location for the answer tell us UNAMBIGUOUSLY and EXACTLY where to look for the answer.
    • The tests will be scanned, and we only scan the front side of each page. If you write something on the back side of a page, it will not be scanned and hence we will not see it or read it when we are grading your test. (This is fine for scratch work, but not for something you want us to read, such as an answer written in the wrong place.) WE WILL NOT OR READ THE BACK SIDE OF AN EXAM PAGE, EVEN IF YOU TELL US THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN AN ANSWER THERE.
• When you turn in the test:
  • Turn in all pages. This includes the front page and all scratch pages, even if you left them blank.
  • You will receive one point for turning in all the pages (including the front page and all scratch pages.)

The tests will consist of questions with written answers. Many of the questions will be short-answer fill-in the blank questions or fill-in-the-bubble multiple-choice questions. Some of the questions may require longer answers.

The tests will be scanned, and the scanned tests will be graded manually. Partial credit will be given when we believe it is appropriate to do so.

We recommend that you read each question carefully and completely before you answer it.