UIL Computer Science

• UIL Contests – Things to Know    non-JAVA Questions       Java Questions
• UIL Computer Science Archive (available in a folder in Room 506 and Room 505)
• Download a Computer Science Sample Written Test
• Download sample Programming materials (from spring 2010 contests)
• Access sample Programming materials from 2013 contests
• A great resource is Mike Scott’s UIL page at  www.cs.utexas.edu/~scottm/uil/index.htm

UIL Rules – handbook

• 4 students per team
  • 4 students can take written test (top 3 scores count), but only 3 students can compete in the hands-on programming part of the contest. For practice competitions it’s usually only 3 students per team.
• Each team member takes a 45 minute written test which has 40 questions
  • Sample Written Test
  • 6 points for correct answer, -2 points for incorrect answer
  • Programming questions are written using the JAVA programming language
    • Some questions are about JAVA syntax and JAVA language features
    • Many questions are expressed in JAVA but are about more general/broader programming concepts ( e.g. algorithm, abstraction, computation)
    • Some questions do not involve JAVA (e.g. number conversion)
  • 2016-17 Topic list
• The 2 hour programming session consists of 12 problems of varying degrees of difficulty.
  • Sample Programming Test
  • Each problem is worth 60 points
  • An incorrect solution results in a deduction of 5 points. A team that gets a problem right on the second try would receive 55 points (60 minus one five-point deduction). Point deductions for incorrect solutions will only be counted in the team score IF the team ultimately gets that problem correct.
  • In an official UIL contests the program solutions must be submitted in JAVA. Some of the practice competitions allow other languages to be used.
    • Java Platform Standard Edition Version 8 will be used in 2016-2017
  • Each team of 3 programmers will also need a computer to work on.
    • A team may use ONLY ONE computer during the contest – this means one system, one monitor and one keyboard/mouse. Teams using a laptop computer may use an external display and keyboard/mouse, but these may only be used INSTEAD OF, not in addition to, the laptop’s built-in devices. A team may also bring a backup computer to use in case of equipment failure. Only compiler and necessary system software should be installed on the team’s computer. A compiler’s built-in libraries and help functions may be used during the contest, but previously written programs MAY NOT be used and must be removed from the computer prior to competition.
  • No internet access during the contest.
  • Each team may bring two program language reference books or textbooks. Books must be published works that are widely available. Books must also be reasonably free of handwritten notes. Several reference books are available in Room 222.
  • Printers are allowed but not necessary.
• UIL Computer Science web page
• UIL Contests – Things to Know for more information

Other Resources