Heh...for my programming final(2nd year C++, 1st semester) we got to choose what our final would be:
(A) Three Week Project
(B) Standard Run-Of-The-Mill Multiple Choice+Problem Solving
(C) Simple one class programs testing our knowledge, mostly of pointers
We chose (B), simply because it would be the easiest/least time consuming
Normally (C) would be easier/less time consuming, but my teacher gives us programs to do with pointers where pointers either just don't benefit the program, or it's like using a chainsaw to slice cheese...mild overkill, simply causes problems ^.^
[Edit] And from the sound of your question it would probably be specific to your compiler, no?