The exam consists of a written report on a substantial computing project and of a (typically 50 minute) presentation by the candidate, followed by a question-and-answer period of approximately the same length. The written report is due at a time to be determined by the exam committee, but no less than two weeks after the end of Spring quarter or, in the case of students taking the applied exam in June, two weeks after the end of the applied exam. The project may be based on the student's STAT 538 project, but it is anticipated that in that case substantial additional work will be done in the period following the end of Spring quarter. The presentation will take place after the written report has been submitted.

The purpose of the question-and-answer period is to explore the student's overall comprehension of topics covered in the computing sequence (530's) with indepth exploration of topics related to the execution and understanding of the project.

If a candidate fails the exam, he/she has the following options (at the discretion of the faculty):

• retake the exam in the following year using the same project
• retake the 530s and the exam and using a new 530's project
• retake with a new project (without 530's)