In-class Quizzes

Motivation and what to expect

• You will complete a short in-class quiz during the final 15 minutes of the lecture in Weeks 2–6.
  (The schedule for Week 6 will be slightly different.)
• Each quiz will cover material from the background notes, lectures, and interactive sessions (IS) from the preceding weeks.
• Each quiz is worth 6% of your final grade. Together, the five quizzes contribute 30%.
• The quizzes will be completed using pen and paper.
• The quizzes are closed-book, but you may bring a single-sided A5 cheat sheet. You are encouraged to discuss the questions with your classmates, but you must submit your own answers.
• Your work will be marked and returned through the SoftMark platform.

Why an A5 cheat sheet?

We¹ are concerned that a larger cheat sheet might encourage you to include more information rather than identify what is most important. We have therefore intentionally limited it to half an A4 page: one side of an A5 sheet.

• Build your cheat sheet as you work through the course material rather than preparing it at the last minute.
• Identify the ideas, equations, and reminders that would be most useful to you.
• Use the limited space to prioritise understanding rather than simply copying information.
• Remember that collaboration is allowed during the quiz, so your classmates are also a valuable resource.

Why this component is good for you

These quizzes are designed as assessment-for-learning. Their purpose is to help you discuss, reflect on, and consolidate what you have learnt and not simply to evaluate your performance.

Preparing your cheat sheet before each quiz will help you review and synthesise the material. Discussing the questions with your classmates during the session will then give you an opportunity to test your understanding, explain your reasoning, and learn from different approaches.

Important Things to note

• You are encouraged to discuss the questions and even work collaboratively on the whiteboards before submitting your own answers.
• You may use a calculator during the quizzes.
• If you miss a quiz, you may make it up by completing a 15-minute one-on-one viva with Ryan and me.
• SoftMark allows you to discuss your marked solutions and seek clarification about the marking. You will have one week after the solutions are released to do so.

Motivation and what to expect

• You will complete a short in-class quiz during the final 15 minutes of the lecture in Weeks 2–6.
  (The schedule for Week 6 will be slightly different.)
• Each quiz will cover material from the background notes, lectures, and interactive sessions (IS) from the preceding weeks.
• Each quiz is worth 6% of your final grade. Together, the five quizzes contribute 30%.
• The quizzes will be completed using pen and paper.
• The quizzes are open-book and collaborative. You may discuss the questions with your classmates, but you must submit your own answers.
• Your work will be marked and returned through the SoftMark platform.

Why an open-book, collaborative format?

We want the quizzes to help you understand and internalise the material without causing unnecessary anxiety. The open-book, collaborative format allows you to focus on applying key ideas rather than recalling information under pressure.

• Review the course material before each quiz.
• Identify the ideas, equations, and reminders that are most important.
• Use the course website to support your understanding rather than simply searching for answers.
• Remember that collaboration is allowed during the quiz, so your classmates are also a valuable resource.

Why this component is good for you

These quizzes are designed as assessment-for-learning. Their purpose is to help you discuss, reflect on, and consolidate what you have learnt and not simply to evaluate your performance.

Reviewing the material before each quiz will help you synthesise the key ideas. Discussing the questions with your classmates during the session will then give you an opportunity to test your understanding, explain your reasoning, and learn from different approaches.

Important Things to note

• You are encouraged to discuss the questions and even work collaboratively on the whiteboards before submitting your own answers.
• You may use a calculator during the quizzes.
• You may use your computer solely to access the course website. Google Search, Colab and all LLM-based tools are strictly prohibited. We will take this on trust and will not actively police it; however, any breach will be treated seriously and may result in appropriate disciplinary action.
• If you miss a quiz, you may make it up by completing a 15-minute one-on-one viva with Ryan and me.
• SoftMark allows you to discuss your marked solutions and seek clarification about the marking. You will have one week after the solutions are released to do so.

Footnotes

1. Mostly Ryan.