Let me begin by saying, it is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. If you are in Germany and are now about to prepare for your exams, let me tell you, you need to understand the art and craft of the exams here. They are not like in Indi…  | Nikita Haupt May 28 | Let me begin by saying, it is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. If you are in Germany and are now about to prepare for your exams, let me tell you, you need to understand the art and craft of the exams here. They are not like in India, where you could just memorize (ratta maro) things and then simply regurgitate whatever came to your mind while writing the answer. It is going to be strategic and much more precise. A 2-line answer can get you 4 points here, and a 10-line answer, if wrong, will give you 0 points. So, my dear fellow nerds, if you're thinking about a Computer Science Master's in Germany (or already stressing about it), let's get real about exams. I've been through the wringer with 20+ of them, so let me break down what you might face and how to actually ace them. - Written Exams: These can range from classic essay questions to more hardcore problem-solving on the spot. Some even let you bring notes or references, while others are just you, a pen, and that ticking clock. Make sure you do many mock tests on your own. This will help you get ready for the time-pressure and how to solve questions when you have less time.
- Oral Exams: This is where your communication skills shine! Face-to-face with the professor, deep diving into a specific area. Focus less on rote memorization, more on proving you understand the big picture. If you have prepared only some concepts/topics then make sure you do know them thoroughly. During the exam you can tell your professor that you are prepared in those areas. It is normal that students do not learn everything but when they do learn some concepts, they do it well and shine in it.
- Programming Assignments: Think of these as mini projects with a deadline. You'll be writing code, building algorithms, and getting things to actually work (hopefully!). Start these early, because debugging is part of the process. If possible, have a good team of people in which you can learn and assist others. Teamwork is not only good to learn from others but help you assist others who need help.
- Presentations: Got a research project or a cool implementation ready? Time to share it! Get comfortable explaining your work, the challenges you faced, and answering questions designed to really test your knowledge.
From my experience, I can tell you, that you need to be smart in order to get good grades in Germany. And by smart, I don't just mean smart in learning but understanding the details of the system. Here are some of my tips to get good grades and be happy after you have taken an exam. Of course, not every exam can make you happy, you will, even after the best of preparation, not get satisfactory grades in every exam. It is okay. What you need to know is the following: - Don't Just Study, Strategize: Understand the exam format upfront. Does it demand detailed definitions, or applied problem-solving? This changes your whole prep strategy.
- Practice Makes Perfect (Especially with Old Exams): Get your hands on previous exams! You'll learn question styles, the difficulty level, and spot repeat topics.
- Find Your Study Tribe: Explain concepts to each other, work through problems out loud, quiz each other for that final polish. Sometimes, the best learning happens when you put it in your own words.
- Never Underestimate Practical Work: Just knowing the theory won't cut it. Practice coding regularly, try building smaller projects, and get hands-on with the tools you'll be expected to use.
- Don't Neglect the Basics: Even in super-advanced courses, professors can be sneaky. A quick question on fundamental theory might throw you off balance at the worst time. Brush up!
- Your Brain Needs Fuel and Rest: All-nighters are a recipe for disaster. Get good sleep, eat healthy food, and trust me, a refreshed brain remembers more and thinks clearer under pressure.
Remember, It's Not Just About the Grade Exams push you, that's for sure. But push yourself the right way, with smart preparation and consistent effort. You'll be amazed at how much knowledge you actually retain when it's tested the right way, and hey, that feeling when you nail it? Priceless. Got more exam questions? Worried about a specific format or topic? Hit me up and I'll share my experiences! Cheers, and stay strong in that study grind. Cia Kakao! | | | |  | You can also reply to this email to leave a comment. | | | | |
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