1 About Exams

Each exam will have two distinct parts - a written portion and a computer-based progamming portion.

In general, the written portion of an exam will contain two kinds of questions: short answer (e.g., true-false, multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank), and code-completion (i.e., you are asked to write small portions of a program).

In general, the computer-based programming portion of an exam will require you to write code (and/or tests) that demonstrates your ability to complete substantial programming assignments completely on your own. Obviously, because of time constraints, the tasks will be smaller than those that constitute a typical programming assignment. However, their nature will be the same.

See the "Policies" page for more information about the policies governing exams.

2 Studying for Exams

There is no single best source of information. You should review all of the following.

• Labs
• Programming Assignments
• Homework Assignments
• Quizzes
• Readings
• Lectures
• Sample Exams (see below)

Questions can and will be taken from all of these materials.

The Final Examination will be comprehensive. Other exams will focus on specific parts of the course but, given that the material in this course builds on itself, you will always be held responsible for some material from earlier parts of the course (even if it is not the focus of the exam).

3 Sample Exams

The following samples will give you a good idea of the structure and length of exams. Sample exams are not a study guide. In other words, they do not provide information about what you should and/or shouldn't study.

Note that the answers to the sample exams will not be made available. This is to help you avoid focusing too much attention on the specifics of these questions.

4 Self-Assessment of Your Ability to Program in Java

Obviously, in order to do well in this course you must be able to program in Java completely on your own (i.e., without the help of lab assistants and instructors).

There are a variety of ways for you to assess your ability in this area, including the following.

• Re-write your answers to the early programming assignments (which, you should now realize, are both easy and short) in an exam-like setting. Then, actually compile and execute your answers and see if they work.
• Complete the programming assignments in any textbook on introductory programming in Java.
• Complete the programming assignments on Code Step-by-Step, CodingBat, and Practice-it.