What are exams?

You might think that this question is rather unnecessary -- you've taken a few exams in your time. But you may find exams in this course to be a different sort. You need to understand that in my view we have exams primarily because they're one of the best teaching tools in existence. The evaluation function is strictly secondary. Exams may be the time when you put things together for the first time. It may be the first time you really go out on a solo flight. It is likely to be the time when you put in your most concentrated effort.

If exams are so good at teaching, then I'd better be careful what lessons are taught. As best as I can manage, exams will pose problems similar to those you will face in the real world. With that in mind, all exams will be open book, open web, open everything except living people (exception: you can always go to me or a TA with a question) All exams will be take-home. But don't fall into the trap of relying on the book to save you. If you do, I predict with some measure of confidence that you will be screwed to the wall! (Besides, there is no book)

What will be on the exams?

Questions will be inspired by the guided tours, study questions, and problem sets you get for each unit. A question may be very close to one in a problem set, with only the details changed, or it may combine salient features from a study question with a question in a guided tour. And so forth.

How can I do well on exams?

Do well on the problem sets.