CSI 508 - Database Systems

Spring 2025 — Exam 1 guide

Where and When

Test date: Monday 10-March-2025
Test time: class time
Test location: regular classroom
The exam is a paper-based exam. It will be administered in a classroom, in-person. No online version. No take-home version.

Conflicts

All conflicts should have been reported and an alternative exam date must be arranged in advanced.

Make-up exam

Please refer to the Make-up exam section on the course Policies page.

DAISS accommodation

If you need accommodation, please submit proper documents to DAISS. We unfortunately cannot provide accommodation in class or during office hours. Please schedule to take the exam at DAISS.

Please visit Disability Resource Center for more information.

What to bring

Pens, pencils, erasers, writing utensils
One cheat sheet (see detail in test specific) -- this is optional
No calculators, scratch paper, backpacks, books, laptops, or anything else should be brought. These items will be left in the back/front of the room if you bring them.

Test specific

Exam1 is closed book / notes / laptops / web / electronic devices / neighbors; paper-based, administered in class, no collaboration. No online version. No take-home version.
The only exception is a single sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper with handwritten by the person taking the exam (may write on both sides of the sheet).
- A cheat sheet must be in your handwriting.
- Only handwriting on a single sheet of paper is allowed.
- **NO** writing on electronic device(s) and print.
- We must take away any sheet that violates this rule and/or assign a zero grade on the exam.
Refer to the Coverage section below for the exam coverage.
Only what have been introduced or discussed in Spring 2025 CSI 508 will be covered. We will not ask you anything that has not been covered in this course this semester.
The format of the exam will be similar to POTDs, activities, and homework assignments.
You may expect different kinds of questions:
- Short answer
- Multiple choices (less likely but possible)
- Matching (less likely but possible)
- True/false (less likely but possible)
- Problem solving
- Discussion
- Design and diagram drawing
- (SQL) Code reading, writing, and fixing
- Database-related coding questions that relate to your project
Very minor syntax errors are acceptable. Major syntax errors result in points deduction.

Major things you can expect

Some questions related to material discussed in class
Some questions related to POTDs, activities, examples, homework assignments
Some questions related to project

Coverage

General understanding of database systems (lectures 1-2, and concepts we discussed throughout the semester)
Database design: E-R model (lectures 3-5)
Database design: functional dependencies, normalization (lectures 6-8)
SQL (lectures 9-12) excluding Advanced SQL
[updated on 02/26, refer to the class discussion and decision]
- Subqueries and subqueries in WHERE and quantifiers will be excluded from exam1.
- Subqueries and subqueries in WHERE and quantifiers will be included in exam2.

Study guide

Review the lectures / materials / slides / online resources
Redo POTDs, activities, examples
Review or redo homework assignments
Review your project
Practice writing SQL
- You are expected to remember the fundamental and syntax covered in class and be able to write SQL and RA with correct syntax.
- A few very minor syntax errors is OK. But if you are really off we will take off points.
Get a good night's sleep

Grades

Please refer to the Assessment section of the course syllabus.

By default, grades will not be rounded or curved in this course, and there is no grade bump.

A final note

Here is A Time-effective Strategy for Taking Exams by Professor Jeff Offutt.

Good luck !

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Last updated 2025-01-16 16:29