Computer Science Exam Study
Tips
Making the Most of Study Time
By Cloudy Heaven Games
Target Your Problem Areas
• Which topics did you have the most trouble
with during the semester?
– Gather your notes and previous
exams/assignments relevant to these areas
• Which topics are most important?
– Which ones form the foundation for other topics?
• Do you still remember the older material from
the beginning of the semester or year?
Make a Study Schedule
• Make your problem areas the priority on the
schedule
• Specifically note practice problems, examples,
and reading material you want to work on as
part of your study plan
• Link to sample study plan:
http://cloudyheavengames.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/11/Sample-Study-
Planning-Sheet.xlsx
PRACTICE!!!
• So many students I work with don’t practice enough
• The problems on your study schedule should include
coding practice problems
• Even if you are doing a written exam, while you're
studying, actually TYPE the solution into a compiler and
run it
– If it doesn’t work, reading the error messages and fixing
mistakes is good practice
• Type up the code examples from lecture or books and
tutorials
– Don’t be passive
TAKE NOTES!!!
• Even if you’re not learning new material, if you keep
making the same mistakes more than twice, WRITE IT
DOWN
• Make flashcards for the items and facts that you miss most
often
– Use them for quick, targeted study sessions
• Even if the teacher gives you the lecture notes, be an active
learner
– Highlight important points or things you don't understand, and
add your own examples or insights
• You can also make notes in code examples as comments. If
there are parts of the code you don't understand, note
that, and then add a comment when you figure it out
Make the Most of Lectures and
Tutoring Sessions
• Come prepared so that you use your time
efficiently
• Write down your questions/confusions before the
session
• Do any assigned reading for that topic before the
session (AND TAKE NOTES)
• Bring examples or problems you've been working
on and let the tutor know where you're confused
and what you've tried
• Have all your materials ready and organized so
that you're not scrambling and wasting time
Teach Others
• Form a study group, and divide up topics among
the group. Each person can do a "mini-lecture" or
write a one-pager to share with the rest of the
group
• Share and compile your notes
• Help each other with questions
• If you don't do well in groups, you can still write
or do a PowerPoint, but do it as if you're teaching
someone else
• If you can’t explain it, you probably don’t
understand as well as you think you might
More Resources
• Study Tips ebook (Kindle or PDF):
http://wp.me/P6x8lb-6W
• Stressed out?
http://cloudyheavengames.com/stressed-and-
discouraged-computer-science-students-all-is-
not-lost/
• More tips:
http://cloudyheavengames.com/computer-
science-exam-study-tips/

Computer Science Exam Study Tips

  • 1.
    Computer Science ExamStudy Tips Making the Most of Study Time By Cloudy Heaven Games
  • 2.
    Target Your ProblemAreas • Which topics did you have the most trouble with during the semester? – Gather your notes and previous exams/assignments relevant to these areas • Which topics are most important? – Which ones form the foundation for other topics? • Do you still remember the older material from the beginning of the semester or year?
  • 3.
    Make a StudySchedule • Make your problem areas the priority on the schedule • Specifically note practice problems, examples, and reading material you want to work on as part of your study plan • Link to sample study plan: http://cloudyheavengames.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/11/Sample-Study- Planning-Sheet.xlsx
  • 4.
    PRACTICE!!! • So manystudents I work with don’t practice enough • The problems on your study schedule should include coding practice problems • Even if you are doing a written exam, while you're studying, actually TYPE the solution into a compiler and run it – If it doesn’t work, reading the error messages and fixing mistakes is good practice • Type up the code examples from lecture or books and tutorials – Don’t be passive
  • 5.
    TAKE NOTES!!! • Evenif you’re not learning new material, if you keep making the same mistakes more than twice, WRITE IT DOWN • Make flashcards for the items and facts that you miss most often – Use them for quick, targeted study sessions • Even if the teacher gives you the lecture notes, be an active learner – Highlight important points or things you don't understand, and add your own examples or insights • You can also make notes in code examples as comments. If there are parts of the code you don't understand, note that, and then add a comment when you figure it out
  • 6.
    Make the Mostof Lectures and Tutoring Sessions • Come prepared so that you use your time efficiently • Write down your questions/confusions before the session • Do any assigned reading for that topic before the session (AND TAKE NOTES) • Bring examples or problems you've been working on and let the tutor know where you're confused and what you've tried • Have all your materials ready and organized so that you're not scrambling and wasting time
  • 7.
    Teach Others • Forma study group, and divide up topics among the group. Each person can do a "mini-lecture" or write a one-pager to share with the rest of the group • Share and compile your notes • Help each other with questions • If you don't do well in groups, you can still write or do a PowerPoint, but do it as if you're teaching someone else • If you can’t explain it, you probably don’t understand as well as you think you might
  • 8.
    More Resources • StudyTips ebook (Kindle or PDF): http://wp.me/P6x8lb-6W • Stressed out? http://cloudyheavengames.com/stressed-and- discouraged-computer-science-students-all-is- not-lost/ • More tips: http://cloudyheavengames.com/computer- science-exam-study-tips/