Exam 01 of the 42 Piscine is the second weekly assessment during the intensive 4-week selection process. Unlike Exam 00, which focuses on absolute basics, Exam 01 introduces command-line arguments and more complex logic. Core Topics Covered
Exam 01 typically builds on everything from the first week and adds new mechanics: Command-Line Arguments : Heavy focus on Basic C Logic : Continued use of loops ( ), conditionals ( ), and basic types. Strings & Arrays : Basic manipulation and iteration through characters. : Initial exercises involving pointer manipulation (e.g., Common Exam Exercises Tasks are randomized, but frequently include: : Simple programs using to display a single character.
: A function to swap the values of two integers using pointers. : Writing a function that outputs a string to the console.
: A classic program that prints "Fizz", "Buzz", or "FizzBuzz" based on multiples of 3 and 5.
: Advanced tasks involving rotating words in a string provided via command-line. The "Exam Shell" Environment
The exam takes place in a restricted environment known as the Foullane-Mohamed/1337-Piscine-42-main-exercice-and-exame
The first exam of the 42 Piscine (Exam 01) typically takes place at the end of the first week and covers the fundamental C programming concepts introduced in projects like C00 and C01. Exam Basics
Environment: You must log in with the exam user and run the examshell command to begin [0.5.6, 0.5.11].
Submission: Use the command grademe within the examshell to submit your code for correction [0.5.8].
Rules: Unlike standard projects, you do not need the 42 Header or to run Norminette during exams [0.5.8]. Common Level 0 & 1 Exercises These are frequent starting tasks for the first exam:
only_z: Write a program that displays only the character 'z' on the standard output [0.5.5].
ft_print_alphabet: Create a function that displays the lowercase alphabet in ascending order [0.5.1, 0.5.3].
search_and_replace: A program that takes a string and two characters, replacing every instance of the first character with the second [0.5.14].
first_word: A program that displays the first word of a given string [0.5.22]. Preparation Tips
Master write: Most early exam problems require you to use the write function from the
Practice VIM: You may not have access to VS Code or other IDEs during the exam, so being comfortable with VIM is critical [0.5.8]. Exam 01 Piscine 42
Handle Failures: If you fail a question, you may have to wait for a "timeout" before the next attempt, and you might receive a different question entirely.
Survival Guide: Navigating Exam 01 of the 42 Piscine The first exam of the 42 Piscine is often described as a rite of passage—a high-stakes, 4-hour sprint that tests not just your C programming skills, but your ability to handle pressure and follow precise instructions. Held on the first Friday, Exam 01 is the first time many "pisciners" face the school’s automated grading system in a controlled, isolated environment. The Technical Setup: Entering the "Shell"
Before the exam begins, the staff and "grizzlies" (student volunteers) often set a supportive mood with music, but once you sit down, you are on your own.
Environment: You will log into a custom Linux environment using a specific exam username and password provided on the day.
Accessing Tasks: To start, you must open the terminal and enter the command examshell. This launches the custom shell where you will receive tasks one by one.
Isolation: You are cut off from the internet and your peers. Your only resources are your knowledge, the man pages, and potentially a local ASCII table. How the Exam Works: One Level at a Time
The structure of Exam 01 is linear and unforgiving. You are assigned tasks randomly from a pool, but everyone starts at the same difficulty level.
Solve to Unlock: You must successfully pass a task to see the next one. If you fail a task, you often have to wait for a timer to cooldown before you can try again or move forward.
Automated Grading: Just like your daily projects, your code is graded by a system often called "Grademe" or similar. It checks for exact output matching and strictly follows the 42 Norm.
No Partial Credit: If your code has a minor error—like an extra space or a missing newline—the entire task is marked as 0. What to Expect on the Test
Exam 01 typically covers the foundational concepts introduced in the first week (usually Shell00, Shell01, and C00).
Basic C Syntax: Creating simple functions, using write, and basic loops.
ASCII Manipulation: Understanding how to print characters and numbers based on their ASCII values is critical.
Common Pitfalls: Many students fail because they include a main function in their submission when the task only asks for a specific function. Tips for Success 42 Abu Dhabi – Piscine Day 11 (Exam01)
In the context of the 42 School selection process, "Exam 01" typically takes place at the end of the second week of the Piscine Exam 01 of the 42 Piscine is the
. It serves as a critical check on your progress and your ability to code without peer help or internet access. Exam 01 Overview
: Demonstrate a solid grasp of foundational C programming and command-line arguments. Environment
: A restricted environment with no internet, no outside resources, and no peer assistance. Passing Criteria
: You must register for the event beforehand and log in to the within 10 minutes, or you will fail by default. Key Topics & Objectives
Exam 01 builds on the basics from the first week and introduces new concepts from the second week: Foundations
: Functions, loops, conditionals, arrays, and basic strings. Core Focus : Command-line arguments ( Common Exercises : Swapping the values of two integers using pointers.
: Writing a function that displays a string of characters on the standard output. : Returning the number of characters in a string. Program with argc/argv
: Creating a program that takes arguments from the terminal and processes them (e.g., printing them in reverse). Survival Strategies
For many "Pisciners" at 42 School, Exam 01 is the first true moment of truth. While the previous week's projects (Shell00 to C01) provide a taste of the learning curve, the first Friday exam is where the pressure of a timed, isolated environment truly begins. What is Exam 01?
Exam 01 is a four-hour practical coding test held every Friday during the Piscine. It is designed to test your mastery of basic C programming concepts, specifically focusing on what you should have learned during the first week and a half of the program.
Unlike the projects where you can ask peers for help, the exam is strictly solo. You are placed in a controlled "exam mode" environment on a Linux machine with no internet access and no external resources. Key Topics to Master
The difficulty of the exam is cumulative. To succeed in Exam 01, you should be comfortable with:
The Basics: Recreating standard library functions like ft_putchar or ft_putstr using only the write function.
Control Flow: Mastering if/else statements and while loops for simple logic.
Strings and Arrays: Handling character arrays, which are the bread and butter of the early Piscine. What Is Exam 01
Command Line Arguments: A common "gatekeeper" topic for Exam 01 is understanding argc and argv to write programs that respond to terminal input.
Functions vs. Programs: Knowing when a subject asks for a function (do not include main) versus a program (must include main and be compilable). The Exam Environment: How It Works
Accessing the exam is an exercise in following instructions ("RTFM"):
Login: You log into the machine with a special exam username and password. Launch: You open a terminal and run the examshell command.
The Process: You receive one exercise at a time. You must solve it, push it to the rendu directory, and run grademe to have it checked by the "Moulinette" (the automated grading system).
Progression: You only see the next exercise if you pass the current one. If you fail, the point value for that exercise often decreases on the next attempt. Expert Tips for Passing
42-Piscine-C/Exam/Exam01/4-0-rostring/subject.en.txt at master
Exam 01 is the second major written examination during the Piscine (typically occurring at the end of the second week). Unlike the first exam, which focuses on basic functions and familiarity with C, Exam 01 demands a genuine grasp of memory, pointers, and string manipulation.
The exam is conducted in a strictly controlled environment:
man pages and your own mind.Veterans of the Piscine will tell you: do not cram new topics the night before. Instead:
j02, j03, j04 (Journées/ days).man.printf strategically or gdb in the terminal saves hours.C basics
Strings & memory
write(), ft_strlen, ft_strcpy, ft_strcmpft_putchar, ft_putstr, ft_putnbrmalloc (usually not allowed in Exam 01)Algorithmic thinking
isalpha, isdigit-like logic)Command‑line arguments & main
argc / argv usagewrite or custom output functionsThe Piscine is an intensive, project-driven coding bootcamp used by the 42 network to evaluate candidates’ problem-solving, collaboration, and coding endurance. "Exam 01" usually functions as an early, timed assessment that checks whether a student can apply basic programming concepts under pressure, work with the UNIX environment, and follow project constraints.