Mon, 19 Sep 2011, 22:55

In case some of you missed class today, I want to be sure you all 
understand the process of the exam on September 28.  Several important
things:

1. Check the website early next week to be sure which room you are 
to take the exam in.

2. You will have 1 1/2 hours to take the exam.

3. The exam is closed book and closed notes, except for three sheets of paper
which you are allowed to bring into the exam.  The sheets of paper can be as
large as you wish, the writing can be as small as you wish.  The writing must
be original (not a copy) and be in your own handwriting.  Anything you feel
compelled to memorize may be written on one of the three sheets of paper, and
therefore not have to be memorized.

4. You are allowed to have no cell phone, calculator, or other electronic 
device on your person.  If a TA sees a cell phone, calculator, etc., you will
receive a 0 on the exam.  I do this because I believe we must have a fair
exam for everyone.  Leave all such stuff in your backpack, and leave your 
backpack at the front of the room.  Better yet, do not bring the backpack
into the exam room.

5. Bring enough pens and pencils to get through the exam.  All work will be
done on the exam itself.  You will not use Blue Books.

6. The exam will end with the TA in charge saying, "Please put your pens and
pencils down.  The exam is over."  Anyone who writes after that will receive
a 0 on the exam.  I do this because I believe we must have a fair exam for
everyone.  Please write your name at the top of every page of the exam 
before you get started.  That way you will not be tempted to write it after 
the TA says "The exam is over."  If you get caught doing so, it will mean a 
0 on the exam.

7. Those who wish to leave early should bring the exam and their student ID
to one of the TAs at the front of the room.  The TA will check your ID against
you and against the name on the exam.

8. Those remaining at the end of the exam will turn in their exams, one row
at a time.  Please stay in your seat until the TA calls your row.  At that
point bring your exam and student ID to one of the TAs at the front of the 
room.  

I think that is it.  If I think of anything else that is relevant, I will let
you know.

Good luck on the first midterm.  If you do well, congratulations!  If you
do not do well, it may simply be that you should consider it a wake-up call
and with the help of the TAs and me, figure out what you are doing wrong.
In either case, it is only the first exam, and there is a lot more to come.

Yale Patt