Exams

You will have opportunities to demonstrate what you have learned through two examinations.  

We will have a midterm examination in class on Friday, March 9.

In accordance with the schedule issued by the committee on Academic Standing, the final examination for this course will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 17. Do not make travel arrangements that would prevent your presence. The final exam will be cumulative; you will be responsible for the content of the entire course.

You may prepare one, double-sided 8.5" x 11" sheet of hand-written notes to consult during each exam. You will turn in this sheet with your exam and it will be returned to you later. I would rather have you learn to apply concepts than to memorize facts. I also find that preparing such notes---and in particular, deciding what is most important to include---can be a very effective way to study.

Otherwise, the exams are closed books, closed notes, and closed computer.  Because I intend the exams to assess your own individual understanding of the material, collaboration on exams is not permitted.  Of course, I encourage you to collaborate while studying for exams.

If you require accomodations for an examination, please contact me at least a week in advance.

Frequently Answered Questions - Midterm

Is the midterm open-book or closed-book?

The midterm is closed book and mostly closed notes.  However, you may bring one, double-sided 8.5" x 11" sheet of hand-written notes. You will turn in this sheet with your exam.

Will the midterm ask purely factual memorization questions, such as "What is the title of Wendell Berry's article and what year was it published?"

Probably not.

What kinds of questions will the midterm have on it?

The midterm will have several short answer questions (e.g., "What is Henry Petroski's central thesis in The Evolution of Everyday Things?" or "Explain in a few sentences one way in which Brown and Duguid disagree with Bill Joy.") You will also write one short essay. You will have a choice of 2-3 questions to address in this essay.

You haven't written the midterm yet, have you?

Actually, I have.

Will I be able to finish the midterm in fifty minutes?

I hope so; that's my intention.

Can I start before 8 a.m.?

No.

Can I keep working after 8:50 a.m.?

Not unless you've made appropriate prior arrangements.

Do I have to spell correctly and follow rules of grammar?

Yes, to the best of your ability.

Will you be available to answer questions during the exam?

No; a colleague will be proctoring the exam. If a question is ambiguous, write your interpretation of the question along with your answer.

What if I miss the midterm? For example, what if I sleep through it?

You will receive a zero on the midterm. Since the midterm is 15% of your grade, you are unlikely to earn better than a B in the course.

What if I'm really, really sick?

We'll talk about that if it happens.

What if I have a question about the midterm not addressed in this FAQ?

Send me an email.

Janet Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)