CompSci 161 test rules and format - Winter, 2025 (Dillencourt)

Outline:

• Test rules
• Test format

• 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.
• 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.)
• We recommend that you arrive in the classroom a few minutes early.
• If you do not know your seat number, we will look it up for you, but not until we have handed out all the tests. Please do not ask us to tell you your seat number until we have completed handing out the tests.
• 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.
  • 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 like 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, rather than ask a question, we recommend that you do the following on your answer sheet:
  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 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.

• When you receive the test:
  • 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 questions.
    • Think before you fill in the bubbles.
    • Bring a pencil and a good eraser just in case.
• 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 graded manually. Partial credit will be given when it is appropriate to do so.

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