Midterm Comments

I met with the TAs today to discuss marking of the midterms. We plan on having them back to you on November 24th.

The TAs mentioned that there were lots of complaints that the midterm was too long.

The midterm was not too long if you practiced the problems given beforehand. If you didn't do so, then for sure you would not be able to complete the midterm.

I looked through the midterms, and some people did well. Others could not even start some problems. It is the latter group that concerns me. Even if you could not complete every problem, you should be able to start them.

I asked the class how many problems would be fair, and five or six problems was considered as fair. I offered less (two), but then the danger is not being able to complete either.

Let's wait and see how the mark distribution turns out before I comment further.

For the record, the questions will be marked as follows:

Q1 -- Barbora
Q2 -- Greg
Q3 -- Zhan
Q4 -- Chris
Q5 -- Lidija
Q6 -- Ming
Bonus Question -- Len

My answers to the questions and marking instructions to the TAs will be posted here later tonight.