Waiver Exam Information

Computer Science and Engineering 101 offers a waiver exam. This exam is for all students who believe that they have already mastered the key concepts, competencies and skills taught in the course. Please read the following questions and answers, then contact the CSE 101 Course Coordinator if you need further information.

Question	Answer	Other Important Information
What is a waiver exam?	A waiver exam measures the minimum set of concepts and skills required to pass a course. If the waiver exam is accepted by the student's major department, passing the waiver exam excuses the student from taking the course. It does not give the student credit for the course. The student must take some other course for an equal or greater number of credits to satisfy credit requirements.	You must check with your advisor before attempting the waiver exam. Only your department can decide if the CSE 101 waiver exam (or any other waiver exam) is acceptable to your department.
For whom is the CSE 101 waiver exam intended?	The waiver exam is offered for students who already have mastered the concepts and skills which are taught in the CSE 101 course, but who have not taken the CSE 101 course. The waiver exam tests these concepts and skills using a defined set of software which includes, among other things: Windows XP Office 2007, including Access Firefox web browser Nvu web editor or equivalent Google search engine MSU's campus-wide AFS file system (for more information about AFS, see http://afs.msu.edu/)	No alternative waiver exams based on other hardware / software platforms will be offered.
When will the next CSE 101 waiver exam be offered?	The next waiver exam will be: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:30-4:30pm. There will be a limit of 30 seats, and registration will be done on a first come, first served basis. If you want to take the waiver exam but are not among the first 30 students to apply, we will put you on our waiting list and notify you via e-mail about five days before the waiver exam.	You must register in advance as described below. You will not be admitted without prior reservation. The waiver exam is offered once each semester, including the summer term.
May I take the waiver exam during a semester in which I am enrolled in CSE 101?	No. You may not register to take a waiver exam to be given during a semester in which you are enrolled in CSE 101. In order to register to take the exam during that semester, you must use the computer enrollment system to drop CSE 101 by the end of Computer Enrollment for that semester. (See note in the righthand column.)	You may take the waiver exam at most once during your entire time at MSU. You may register for the waiver exam if you have enrolled in CSE 101 for a future semester, but have not taken the course in any previous semester. If you pass the waiver exam, you are responsible for dropping your course enrollment before the first day of class. If you are currently enrolled in CSE 101 for Fall 2009 and wish to take the waiver exam during that semester, you must use the computer enrollment system to drop CSE 101 by the end of Computer Enrollment, Wednesday, September 9, 2009. After you drop CSE 101, you may register for the waiver exam. If you do not pass the waiver exam, you may then reenroll in CSE 101 in a future semester.
May I take the waiver exam if I am a transfer student?	If you transferred in a course which is equivalent to CSE 101, you have already satisfied your department's requirement (if any) for the course. Therefore, you may not take the waiver exam. If you did not transfer in an equivalent course, you may take the waiver exam, just like any other student starting at MSU.	If you have any doubts about this issue, talk with your academic advisor before attempting to sign up for the waiver exam.
How do I register for the exam? What does it cost to take the waiver exam?	You must fill out all information on the provided Waiver Exam form.You must complete this form no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2009, in order to register for the next Waiver Exam. No applications will be accepted after this date. If you initially register for the Waiver Exam but then change your mind and decide not to take it, you must send notice of your wish to cancel your reservation by e-mail to cse101@cse.msu.edu no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2009 or you will be billed for the exam (see below). No cancellations will be accepted after this date. The fee will be $50, payable at Student Receivables, 142 Hannah Administration Building, (517) 355-3343. This fee simply covers the expenses of proctoring the exam, grading it and notifying you, your advisor, the Office of the Registrar and Student Receivables of the results. After you have received notification, you will have to pay the fee at Student Receivables or a hold will be placed on your records (just like for a Library fine or any other fee).
How do I prepare for the exam?	Here are three things that you can do to prepare for the waiver exam: Go to the course Syllabus. The topics listed under Days 1-16 will be covered on the waiver exam. Purchase a book that covers the topics listed in the Syllabus. Talk with friends who have recently taken the course. *However, since this is a waiver exam, the faculty and staff of CSE 101 cannot* help you to prepare for the exam.**	The textbooks for the course are now eBooks and are not available to those not enrolled in the course. However, most book stores will have books available that will cover the basics of word processing, spreadsheet construction, web page development and database queries. Unlike a conventional exam, in which there is a passing score such as 75%, the waiver exam requires that you demonstrate mastery of all of these topics. Mastery does not mean absolute perfection, but it does mean great competence. Unlike the Bridge Tasks, the waiver exam will not require you to prepare any files or to do any specific homework in advance. Since the materials covered on the waiver exam go through Day 16 only, it should not matter which track your friend may have taken. The materials over which the exam tests are identical for those days, and the waiver exam contains no track-specific materials.
What do I bring to the exam?	The waiver exam is entirely open book, open note. You may bring your textbooks and you may use all of the resources listed above and any files that you have prepared. The only exception is that you may not bring, call, or e-mail friends!	You take the waiver exam entirely by yourself, without any help from anyone else - including the exam proctor.
How will my exam be graded?	Two experienced graders will independently grade your exam. If the graders disagree on the the results (Waive/Not waive), one of the instructors will review your waiver exam to make the final decision.	The decision of the judges is final.
When will I get the results? Whom will you notify of the results?	You will get the results within a few weeks. We will notify you and your advisor by e-mail. The Office of the Registrar will also be notified of the results of the exam.	You will have the results in sufficient time to drop CSE 101 if you are registered for it in a future semester and do pass the waiver exam.