Practice Test (PT) Instructions

Practice testing has shown to be a particularly effective learning technique for skill acquisition. The idea is that a learner tries to perform the skill under as realistic conditions as possible. Practice tests are meant to have low stakes and emphasis practicing a skill, unlike other sorts of tests that aim for assessment, like exams. Also important in practice testing is quick feedback, so a learner can quickly resolve any misunderstanding they might have.

Practicing testing in this course will be conducted as follows:

• Task oriented. Each practice test will involve completing a development task similar to the ones demonstrated in the demos required for the skills assignment.

• Performed during lecture. Practice tests will be administered during the lecture period.

• Work individually. All students will work individually on the test up to a specified time limit.

• Instructor demo follows. Once time expires, the instructor will demonstrate performing the task, so as to show students how it was supposed to be done and to clarify any misunderstandings students have.

• Ask questions! Students are encouraged to ask questions during the instructor’s demonstration to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the material.

• Time to correct mistakes. Students will have an additional window of time following the class in which they can submit the correctly completed test. Thus, even if they weren’t completely successful during the timed portion of the test, they will have time to fix anything that needs fixing.

Each practice test will have specific instructions regarding what to submit (generally to a Canvas dropbox) and when it is due. Make sure to complete your work on time, lest you receive a deduction.

• Name screenshot files as specified. Each required screenshot for a Practice Test has a label (e.g., sa2-pt-03). For each screenshot file, the name of the file should match the specified label exactly.

How to Start Each Practice Test

Each time you go to do an Practice Test, start like this:

1. cd into your workspace folder. You’re going to download a new project folder, and this is where it will go.
2. Find the link to the GitHub repo that contains the base app for the test. Also note the branch you must use.
3. Do a git clone of the base app repo to download it, giving the working tree a custom name, like sa2-pt.
4. cd into the new working tree.
5. Do a git switch to the branch specified in the instructions.
6. Open the working tree in VS Code.

Now, you’re ready to begin the Practice Test!