Computer Science exam type?

so ive heard some computer science exams are as long as 3 hours long.
are these exams essay based? if yes or no, what sort of questions are they?
if it depends on the unis these r the ones im considering: imperial, ucl, soton, bristol, warwick etc...

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Reply 1

Danltn

Warwick student here.

My 3 hour exams are all mathematics exams, and most could be completed within 90 minutes with easy. I took 2 hours on my most recent one but that was with extensive checking of answers.

I think the 3 hour time limit is a more a generous thing rather than anything that may cause you an issue.

- Dan.

Reply 2

FinalMH

Original post by Sokka

yes you're right. eventhough i'm a gcse student, i've recently been checking the statistics edexcel papers which allow 2.5 hours to complete. I mean it's crazy! I think they allow that time limit so you can check answers because it's a very long exam, but judging by the grade boundaries (71/100 for an a*) i cant see why they would give that long. I completed most past papers in under 1.5 hours and had plenty of time checking - basically, these long exams have generous time limits which shouldn't cause a problem; infact, you should be happy to have that long if you know your stuff well ;]

I'm sorry but you can't really comment if your doing GSCE's

Reply 3

war833

Original post by Sokka

freedom of speech ftw!! :biggrin:

ty for the neg-rep whoever that was. i really appreciate it

btw im kind of a gcse/a level student since im doing a level math in yr 11 too... so yh.

The question is asking about Computer Science exams at uni. Your GCSE and A-level exams are not relevant.

Reply 4

FinalMH

Original post by Sokka

freedom of speech ftw!! :biggrin:

ty for the neg-rep whoever that was. i really appreciate it

btw im kind of a gcse/a level student since im doing a level math in yr 11 too... so yh.

i don't care, when you (2 years later) start your degree it's going to be massive jump up from A level Maths!

Reply 5

roflcopter94

and are these exams essays or calculations?
im guessing theres a paper for different modules and a mixture of both?
thanks

Reply 6

Charlieee_

Original post by roflcopter94

and are these exams essays or calculations?
im guessing theres a paper for different modules and a mixture of both?
thanks

i've had no essay questions in exams, they are all pretty much short to medium length questions

Reply 7

Mirey

Original post by Sokka

freedom of speech ftw!! :biggrin:

ty for the neg-rep whoever that was. i really appreciate it

btw im kind of a gcse/a level student since im doing a level math in yr 11 too... so yh.

A-level / GCSE exams are nothing like University exams. I did my Maths A-level in year 10 and went to uni a year early, and even I found the exams different. I think primarily because they are different. It doesn't matter what year you sit what exams, because the exams are different to uni exams, they'll be different. Crazy that. Now go so do something worthy so people don't laugh at you when you try and be a cocky little ****e. Someone just got a first from Cardiff uni in Maths at the age of 12. I bet even he will find his GCSE/A-level exams are different to the uni exams.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 8

RipperRoo

Original post by Mirey

I think all my CS exams last year were 2 hours. They're all 2 hours this year. We don't really have essay style questions. One thing you'll notice when you go to uni (well, probably at least) is how broad computer science is. Right now you might wonder what more there can be etc.

But to answer your question, I haven't really had any "essay" questions. Theres be a few questions which maybe want a paragraph of text, but they're after facts, not beautifully written master pieces.

If you want I'll pm you some past papers.

A-level / GCSE exams are nothing like University exams. I did my Maths A-level in year 10 and went to uni a year early, and even I found the exams different. I think primarily because they are different. It doesn't matter what year you sit what exams, because the exams are different to uni exams, they'll be different. Crazy that. Now go so do something worthy so people don't laugh at you when you try and be a cocky little ****e. Someone just got a first from Cardiff uni in Maths at the age of 12. I bet even he will find his GCSE/A-level exams are different to the uni exams.

Ahhh I would love if you could pm me some please, if you don't mind that is!

I want to see what I have let myself in for. :biggrin:

Reply 9

Mirey

Original post by JackWoot

Ahhh I would love if you could pm me some please, if you don't mind that is!

I want to see what I have let myself in for. :biggrin:

done =]

Reply 10

Mirey

Original post by Sokka

Are you still talking about that jheeze! If uni is so different, don't you have exams to revise for or SOMETHING...

by the way, that someone who got a first from cardiff uni was 15. He got his a level math at 12. get your facts right -.-

Does it matter? There are a number of people who get their degrees at a young age.

And no, I'm too bad ass to revise. It would be unfair to the other kids.

Reply 11

roflcopter94

Original post by Mirey

Thanks dude, what i was looking for :smile:

can you please send me a past paper as well just so I can get a feel for what sort of questions are asked.
thanks again

Reply 12

nigel123

Original post by Mirey

Hi, can you also send me some past papers? Thanks. I actually made a thread similar to this.

Reply 13

Mirey

Original post by nigel123

Hi, can you also send me some past papers? Thanks. I actually made a thread similar to this.

done

Reply 14

Clayman

They're never longer than 2 hours in my case. 80% module mark exams are 2 hours, and you choose 4 out of 6 questions to answer. 50% module mark exams are 1.5 hours, and you choose 3 out of 4 questions to answer. Each question is worth 25 marks. Questions are split into sub-questions which could be anything from 1 mark to 20 marks each. Some are textual answers, some require maths, some require diagrams, etc. Depends hugely on which module the exam is for.

I can send you a load too if you'd like - let me know if so.