Many internet applications are coded in a computer language called Java. Some are very recognizable such as Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, Minecraft, and more. UIL Computer Science tests cover this language.
LCM’s UIL Computer Science Team has advanced to State in the team and individual component. The team includes seniors Raymond Arrington and Andrew Boudreaux, junior Marshall Vaught, and sophomore Wyatt Wilson. They will travel to the University of Texas at Austin to compete with their coach Terry Morris on May 19-20.
UIL Computer Science is broken down into two segments: a written test and a team-based, hands-on programming section. The scoring and rules are different from regular standardized tests as well.
“It starts with a written test where we have 45 minutes to answer as many of the 40 questions as possible,” Arrington said. “The first 15 questions follow a set guideline for what they should cover, the rest, however, can cover any topic in computer science. Each question answered correctly will give six points, answer it incorrectly and it will cost you two; and if you don’t answer the question, it doesn’t give or take away any points.”
The programming section is different from the written test. The programming section often follows a typical formula for the first prompt then becomes more complex.
“After that we will do the hands-on; In which we have 12 prompts to do in 2 hours,” Arrington said. “The first prompt is always a basic print out (which we lovingly call an ‘ascii art’). If we submit a solution to the judges and it is correct we get 60 points for that prompt, however, if it is wrong, we get a ‘kickback’ and the maximum total points we could get for that prompt goes down by five points. The judges will also give us simple reasoning for why that solution was wrong. Each additional kickback will also subtract from the point maximum. After the hands-on part has concluded, our total team score gets totaled up from our top three scores on the written test and our combined programming score.”
The team competed in both sections in Regionals. Arrington came in first, Boudreaux in second, Vaught in third, and Wilson in fifth.
“We needed to win this year,” Morris said. “For the last two years we have been very close to winning the Region Team Championship. We previously won it eight years in a row and missed by the smallest of margins. We really needed the win to propel us to State.”
The team is preparing for State UIL by taking four tests a week. These tests simulate the written tests that are taken in the competition. Boudreaux does not think much of tests outside of practice because he has seen it impact his performance poorly. However, each member prepares in their own way.
“Outside of traditional practice, I spend my time mentally relaxing to rejuvenate my brain,” Wilson said. “Peace of mind provides me with a form of clarity and insight that heightens my ability to perform. My other UIL events also inadvertently help with some portions of the written test. In class, I sometimes spend my time reviewing programming algorithms and methods to further improve our chances of winning this year as well as prepare myself for next year.”
The team members have set goals for themselves at State. They continue to push their own limits at every competition. For example, Wilson’s personal goal is to be confident in his abilities prior to State.
“My goals before state are to raise my test scores to the best of my ability,” Vaught said. “I have a lot of people in my life who are counting on me to be successful. My goal for State is to leave knowing that I did my absolute best and held nothing back.”
The computer science team has one united goal: to dominate the competition. This is many of the members’ last meet of their high school career, making the stakes higher.
“I really want to place in the top 15 as well as beat some of my high scoring peers,” Wilson said. “Placing high in state as a sophomore would be great for my academics and future. I would love to win honestly and honorably, as would most of my peers. Overall, I would like to see my preparation pay off.”
