For Part I of the BEng and MEng degrees in Computing, there are written papers to be sat during Weeks 1-3 of the Summer Term. Each paper is 80 minutes in length, with two questions which are compulsory and carry equal weight.

  • Calculus
  • Discrete Mathematics, Logic & Reasoning
  • Graphs and Algorithms
  • Introduction to Computer Architecture
  • Introduction to Computer Systems
  • Introduction to Databases
  • Linear Algebra

Exams advice

There is no stipulated or assumed 'failure rate'. You only have pass the First Year of the course in order to progress to the Second Year.

The Departmental Examinations home page tells you the Regulations which apply to calculators, past papers, etc. When downloading past papers (in .pdf format) you will be asked for your login and password - these papers are protected by copyright.

Revision

  • At the start of the Easter vacation, consider taking a one-week rest before you begin revising.
  • Revise subjects in descending order of need.
  • Revise ALL topics from ALL subjects, unless you have been advised otherwise by the relevant lecturers.
  • Then, and only then, practise answering examination questions (allow about 30 minutes for each one).
  • Past papers are available from the Examinations home page (linked above).
  • You may find it helpful to revise with a friend, so that you can test one another.
  • Staff may be available over Easter but don't count on it. If you need their advice then try to obtain it before the end of the Spring term.
  • The Examinations Timetable will be provided by the end of the Spring term.
  • The main examinations usually begin on the first or second day of the Summer term.

Examination Procedure

  • Take a look at the Health Centre's examinations webpage. The staff there are experts on students' examination difficulties, with many years' experience and training. Use them!
  • Go to bed early the night before a paper. Don't stay up all night revising - you'll be too tired to remember it the next day. Scientific studies have shown that intense revision shortly before an examination usually results in impaired performance.
  • If you are late for an examination then you should go immediately to the examination room and explain the reason to the invigilator. You will probably still be able to sit the paper and you may be allowed extra time to compensate for your lateness.
  • MUCH BETTER TO ARRIVE LATE THAN NOT TO ATTEND AT ALL.
  • The old proverb that "it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive" does not apply here!
  • Personal belongings must be kept to a minimum and deposited at the side of the examination room. This includes calculators, course notes and books.
  • DO NOT BRING MOBILE PHONES EVEN INTO THE ROOM.
  • College regulations require you to have your ID card with you in all examinations. Please display the card on your desk during each examination in a position where it can be seen easily by invigilators.
  • A calculator will be provided if the examination officially requires it, or if you ask an invigilator for one.
  • YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE YOUR OWN CALCULATOR.
  • Don't turn over the examination question paper until you are told you can.
  • You are normally allowed to take the question paper away with you at the end of the sitting. However ...
  • YOU MUST NOT REMOVE ANY ANSWER BOOKS FROM THE ROOM.
  • This applies whether or not you have written on them. Rough work must be done in the answer books but crossed through.
  • Some papers are divided into sections (Section A, Section B, ...). It is important that you use a different answer book for each section, if the paper instructs you to do this. This speeds the marking process by allowing the examiners of the various sections to mark them concurrently.
  • I hope it is not necessary to say that you must not attempt to cheat in examinations. To say that cheating will be taken seriously is a considerable understatement. It could very well prevent you from getting a degree, here or anywhere else.

Answering the Questions

  • Do not spend excess time on any question - or part of one. Use the mark allocation to allocate your time: marks are divided roughly equally between parts of a question (a, b, c, etc.) unless the question states otherwise.
  • Take care to note how many questions you are required to answer - this will be stated on the front of the paper, together with the total time allowed for answering them.
  • For some papers you may be given an initial period of reading time in which to consider which questions you will answer, and how. The invigilators will tell you if this applies. Such time is additional to the period allowed for you to answer the paper.

IMPORTANT: Problems before an examination begins, or during it

  • If your revision is affected by illness then inform the Senior Tutor. Either way, contact them as soon as possible and in any event before the examination begins. If the reason is illness then acquire and present a medical certificate at the first immediate opportunity.
  • If you are late for the examination then - as mentioned above - you should get to the examination room as soon as you can and explain the reason to the invigilator.
  • REMEMBER - IT IS BETTER TO ARRIVE LATE THAN NOT TO ATTEND AT ALL.
  • If you are ill during the examination then go to the College Health Centre and obtain a medical certificate IMMEDIATELY - THE SAME DAY. Backdating certificates is NOT POSSIBLE.
  • If you are having or expect problems with stress or nerves in examinations then please discuss it with either your Personal Tutor or the Senior Tutor or your Doctor or the Health Centre.
  • You may confide relevant and sensitive matters (e.g. family or relationship problems) to your Personal Tutor or the Senior Tutor. They will be treated confidentially and in your favour when the examiners consider your results.

Notification of Results

You will be sent your results for the year by the College Registry in the Summer.

You will also be able to obtain provisional results earlier either via email or from the exams system. Further details will be announced closer to the date.