CS 314 Test Study Aids

Tests in CS 314 are the major tool for evaluation. About 65 - 70% 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 coding questions focus on your ability to work with and create abstractions AND create and code algorithms.

CS314 is a new class starting in Fall 2011 so there aren't many old tests to study from. CS314 tests will be similar in structure to the tests from the old CS307 class, but the material will be different. From the table below use the CS307 midterms 1 and 2 to study for the CS314 midterm 1. Use the CS307 finals to study for the CS314 midterm 2.

The way to maximize your chances for success on the tests 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!

• take the sample tests 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, discussion group, study groups, UT 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 314 tests are about your ability to create and implement non-trivial algorithms. There is very little simple recall involved. I am testing your critical thinking and problem solving skills.