Overview
Our goal for assessments in CS1010 is to ensure you’ve understood the content and can practically apply it in the courses to come (and the future). That is, we’re not assessing you just for the sake of giving you more exams! This page lists the different assessment components and weightages.
Assessment Components and Weightage
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 (pen-and-paper) | 10% |
| Final (pen-and-paper) | 30% |
Your final score is computed as:
CA Components (capped at 60%)
| Component | Weightage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Lecture Quizzes | 5% | Weekly |
| Lab Attendance | 5% | Weekly |
| Tutorial Submissions | 5% | Weekly |
| Programming Assignments | 10% | Weekly |
| Practical Examination 1 | 10% | 15 September 2026, 6:30 pm |
| Practical Examination 2 | 15% | 13 October 2026, 6:30 pm |
| Practical Examination 3 | 15% | 10 November 2026, 6:30 pm |
CA buffer
Note that the total possible CA score adds up to 65% even though the maximum weightage of the CA is 60%. This is intentional and means that you don’t need to get full marks in every component to get full marks for your CA.
Midterm and Final
| Component | Weightage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pen-and-paper Midterm | 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 | 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.
”Curved” 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.
- 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 (regardless) does not operate on a bell curve
- As such, students should work together and help each other learn, instead of competing with each other for a limited number of As.