Diagnostic Assessment Tests

Proficiency in certain concepts from one course is necessary for you to succeed in the course that follows. For example, there are certain concepts from CS 31 that are necessary for success in CS 32. There are also certain concepts from CS 32 that are necessary for success in CS 33.

The instructors of CS 32 and CS 33 have designed Diagnostic Assessments that allow you to check your proficiency in the required concepts for those courses. This webpage provides you information on the Assessments and who should take them.

2022 – 2023 Academic Year Diagnostic Assessment tests

CS 32 students – Carey Nachenberg and David Smallberg are requiring students enrolled in their CS 32 course in Winter 2023 to complete the CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment by the first week of the quarter. Students are encouraged to complete the assessment early to provide time to strengthen their proficiency before CS 32 begins. Students currently enrolled in CS 31 should wait to take the assessment until after your final examination and/or assignments are submitted and the course is over.

CS 33 students – Tony Nowatzki is requiring students enrolled in his CS 33 course in Fall 2022 to complete the CS 32 Diagnostic Assessment by the first week of the quarter.

THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO AWARD YOU CREDIT. These assessments are for gaining an understanding of your core proficiency to help you to make educated decisions on what to do to address any gaps in learning and preparation prior to taking the subsequent course. The goal is to maximize the potential for you to succeed in the courses that follow.

Students should only take the Diagnostic Assessment after completing and receiving credit for the course. To acccess the Diagnostic Assessments, please click the appropriate link below:

Link to CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment – for students that have already taken and received credit for CS 31 and need to take CS 32.
Link to CS 32 Diagnostic Assessment – for students that have already taken and received credit for CS 32 and need to take CS 33.

After you submit your Diagnostic Assessment

How do I interpret my score and what should I do?

The Diagnostic Assessments are administered as a Google Form. Once you hit the submit button, you will be able to view your results. You should be able to see the questions, your answers, what you got incorrect, and the correct response for each question. Students should look at the questions they got incorrect and identify the section that the question came from and work on reviewing content from that section.

For example, questions 12 – 15 on the CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment is from the section titled, ‘Pointers.’ Students should strengthen their proficiency with Pointers if they got one or more questions wrong from this section.

If you are unable to see your results or you need help interpreting your results, please contact Wes Uehara via email at wuehara@seas.ucla.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should take the Diagnostic Assessments?

All students enrolling in CS 32 or CS 33.

What Diagnostic Assessment should I take?

CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment – is for students that have already taken and received credit for CS 31 and need to take CS 32.
CS 32 Diagnostic Assessment – is for students that have already taken and received credit for CS 32 and need to take CS 33.

When should I take the Diagnostic Assessment?

We encourage participants to take the Assessment soon after they complete the course in order to increase the time they have to brush up on content they are deficient in before the next course starts. For example, students planning to enroll in CS 32 in Winter 2023 should take the CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment as follows:

Students who have already completed and received credit for CS 31 should take the Assessment now to identify areas they are weak in (if any) and utilize the time before the start of Winter 2023 to brush up.

Students who are currently enrolled in CS 31 in Fall 2022 should wait until you complete the course (once you take your final examination and your final assignments are submitted) before taking the CS 31 Diagnostic Assessment. Taking the Assessment in the days after the course is over will provide you a few weeks over the holiday break to brush up on areas you are deficient in before CS 32 starts in Winter 2023.

Will I receive course credit for completing a Diagnostic Assessment?

No. These tests are NOT designed to award credit. The Assessments are for gaining an understanding of your core proficiency to help you to make educated decisions on what to do to address any gaps in learning and preparation prior to taking the subsequent course. The goal is to maximize the potential for you to succeed in your courses.

Are there any fees to take the Diagnostic Assessments?

No. There are no fees to take the Diagnostic Assessments.

I haven't taken and received credit for the corresponding course. Can I take the Diagnostic Assessment?

Students should NOT take an Assessment prior to taking corresponding course. These Assessments are specifically designed for students that have already taken and received credit for the course to check their proficiency before taking the next course.

I did not do well on the Diagnostic Assessment, can someone help?

Please contact Wes Uehara, wuehara@seas.ucla.edu, and include your name, UID, what Assessment you took and your results.

Please contact Wes Uehara, wuehara@seas.ucla.edu, with any questions or issues you experience with the Diagnostic Assessment tests.