What is UIL Computer Science?

• • UIL Computer Science challenges students to study a broad range of areas in computer science, including object-oriented programming, data structures, and digital logic. In preparing for the contests, students are encouraged to expand their knowledge of computer science beyond the classroom and to foster their interest in the field.

Multiple-choice Test (45 minutes)

• • • 40-question, multiple-choice test over Java, object-oriented programming, data structures, digital logic, and general computer science concepts.

    • Correct answers earn 6 points. Incorrect answers lose 2 points. Students are not penalized for skipping questions.

    • Students compete as individuals, with the top scorers receiving trophies and/or ribbons.

    • Sample Written Test

Hands-on Programming Contest (2 hours)

• • • Teams of 3 work together with one laptop between them to write short programs to solve a packet of 12 programming prompts. Most problems consist of reading data from a file, processing the data in some specific way, and then printing a computed result.

    • The difficulty of the prompts range from trivially simple to college-level problems in dynamic programming.

    • Teams earn up to 60 points per successful solution to a prompt.

    • The final team score consists of the points earned by the group's hands-on programming as well as their combined scores from the multiple-choice test (see above).

    • Sample Hands-on Packet

Who can participate?

• • Anyone interested in participating in UIL Computer Science is free to attend any practice session.

  • Because the UIL Computer Science contest is in Java, the contest is most suited for students who already know or are currently learning object-oriented programming in Java.

  • Current enrollment in AP Computer Science A, Computer Science 3, or an IB Computer Science SL or HL course is highly recommended for those wishing to participate.

How do I participate?

• • Attend practices during the Friday "Club & Interest Groups" Flex periods. At practices, students collaboratively work through sample packets covering a wide range of computer science concepts and topics. NOTE: Seating is limited during the Flex practices. Sign up early to ensure a spot. 

  • Sign up for and attend invitational competitions. NOTE: Registration may be limited at some contests.

When are practices?

• • Weekly practices are held during most Friday "Club & Interest Groups" Flex periods in room E1309 (Mickel's Computer Science Lab).

  • Weekly, after-school practices may be added to the schedule later in the school year if they are deemed to be necessary to accommodate student interest/participation.

When are the competitions?

• • There is usually 1 invitational in early November and 2 or 3 additional invitationals between January and Spring Break. These invitationals are open to all members of the UIL Computer Science squad, but students who attend practices regularly will receive higher priority consideration for any competitions with registration limits.

  • The official UIL Spring Meet sequence (i.e., District-, Regional-, and State-level contests) are held in April and May. Only 6 members from the UIL Computer Science squad will be chosen to represent Westwood in these contests.

How do I compete?

• • There are no attendance requirements for the practices, but active participation in practices is encouraged and preference will be given to those who attend regularly.

  • Contest announcements and sign-up forms will be announced to all members at practices in the weeks leading up to a scheduled contest.

  • Registration at some contests may be limited.

  • Most invitationals charge an entry fee that is covered by Westwood UIL Academics. Students who sign up for an event, but do not show up for the contest may be required to reimburse the school for the cost of entry.