Overview
Our goal for assessments in CS1010 is to ensure that you have understood the content and can practically apply it in future courses. We are not assessing you simply to give you more exams. This page lists the different assessment components and their weights.
Assessment Components and Weights
CA cap
All components other than the midterm and final exam are grouped under Continuous Assessment (CA). CA contributes 60% to your final grade; the CA component total below is capped at 60%.
| Category | Contribution to Final Grade |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment (CA) | 60% |
| Midterm Exam (pen-and-paper) | 10% |
| Final Exam (pen-and-paper) | 30% |
Your final score is computed as:
CA Components (capped at 60%)
| Component | Weight | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Lecture Quizzes | 5% | Weekly |
| Lab Attendance | 5% | Weekly |
| Tutorial Submissions | 5% | Weekly |
| Programming Assignments | 10% | Weekly |
| Practical Exam 0 | 10% | 15 September 2026, 6:15 pm |
| Practical Exam 1 | 15% | 13 October 2026, 6:15 pm |
| Practical Exam 2 | 15% | 10 November 2026, 6:15 pm |
CA buffer
Note that the total possible CA score adds up to 65%, even though the maximum weight of the CA is 60%. This is intentional: you do not need to get full marks in every component to get full marks for your CA.
Midterm and Final
| Component | Weight | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pen-and-paper Midterm Exam | 10% | Monday, 28 September 2026, MPSH 1A; hall entry 4:00 pm; assessment 4:15 to 5:30 pm (1 hr 15 min) |
| Pen-and-paper Final Exam | 30% | 25 November 2026, 9:00 to 11:00 am |
See Practical Exams, Midterm, and Finals for the format and permitted materials for each assessment.
Grading
Grading philosophy
CS1010 is not graded on a bell curve. Focus on learning the material well rather than competing for a limited number of grades.
- CS1010 is not graded using a bell curve (this commonly cited blog is outdated in some ways!)
- Students will receive the grade they deserve, irrespective of how the other students in the class perform
- The number of As and Fs will not be artificially capped
- Note that NUS does not operate on a bell curve
- As such, students should work together and help each other learn instead of competing for a limited number of As