diff --git a/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/CompetencyAssessmentUtil.java b/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/CompetencyAssessmentUtil.java
index cdc3b437bedc2ee859d820da1a7ceb82b8383771..4fcd484e3bf5fc45d782d56f662d94a700f9d9a1 100644
--- a/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/CompetencyAssessmentUtil.java
+++ b/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/CompetencyAssessmentUtil.java
@@ -3,134 +3,188 @@ package de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.utils;
 import java.io.BufferedReader;
 import java.io.FileReader;
 import java.io.IOException;
-import java.net.MalformedURLException;
+import java.nio.file.Files;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
-import java.io.File;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import java.util.stream.IntStream;
-
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
-
-import com.fasterxml.jackson.core.exc.StreamReadException;
-import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.DatabindException;
-
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ExerciseCompetencyProfile;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ICompetencyProfile;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.Result;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ResultSummary;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.TestCompetencyProfile;
 
-import java.io.FileNotFoundException;
-
 public class CompetencyAssessmentUtil {
-	private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.class);
-			
-	public static String TEST_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME="competency-tests.mft";
-	public static String EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME="exercise-tests.mft";
-	
-	/*public static void main(String[] args) throws StreamReadException, DatabindException, MalformedURLException, IOException {
-		ResultSummary summary=ExecuteTestUtil.generateResult("1", Path.of(args[0]), Path.of(args[1]));
-        System.out.println(summary.successfulTestCompetencyProfile);
-	}
-	*/
-	public static float[] sumTestCompetencyProfiles(List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles) {
-		float[] tcpTotalProfile=new float[ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS];
-		for(TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile: testCompetencyProfiles) {
-			tcpTotalProfile=ICompetencyProfile.competencySum(tcpTotalProfile, currentProfile.competencyAssessments);
-		}
-		return tcpTotalProfile;
-	}
-	
-	public static float[] sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles, ResultSummary resultSummary, boolean success) {
-		float[] sumSuccessful=new float[ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS];
-		for(Result currentResult: resultSummary.results) {
-			boolean isSuccess = Integer.valueOf(currentResult.state).equals(Result.State.SUCCESS.ordinal());
-	        if (isSuccess == success) {
-				TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile=new TestCompetencyProfile();
-				currentProfile.testPackageName=(currentResult.packageName!=null)?currentResult.packageName:"";
-				currentProfile.testClassName=(currentResult.className!=null)?currentResult.className:"";
-				currentProfile.testName=(currentResult.name!=null)?currentResult.name:"";
-				int testIndex=testCompetencyProfiles.indexOf(currentProfile);
-				if(testIndex!=-1) {
-					sumSuccessful=ICompetencyProfile.competencySum(sumSuccessful, testCompetencyProfiles.get(testIndex).competencyAssessments);
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		return sumSuccessful;
-	}
-	
-	public static List<TestCompetencyProfile> readTestCompetencyProfiles(Path testPath, String fileName) {
-		List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles=new ArrayList<TestCompetencyProfile>();
-		try {
-			BufferedReader testCompetencyManifest=new BufferedReader(new FileReader(new File(testPath.toFile(), fileName)));
-			String testEntry=testCompetencyManifest.readLine();
-			while(testEntry!=null)
-			{
-				String[] testEntyComponents=testEntry.split(ICompetencyProfile.COMPETENCY_SEPARATOR);
-				TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile=new TestCompetencyProfile();
-				currentProfile.testPackageName=testEntyComponents[0];
-				currentProfile.testClassName=testEntyComponents[1];
-				currentProfile.testName=testEntyComponents[2];
-				for(int competencyIndex=0; competencyIndex<ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS; competencyIndex++) {
-					currentProfile.competencyAssessments[competencyIndex]=Float.valueOf(testEntyComponents[competencyIndex+3]);
-				}
-				testCompetencyProfiles.add(currentProfile);
-				testEntry=testCompetencyManifest.readLine();
-			}
-			testCompetencyManifest.close();
-			LOG.info("Added "+testCompetencyProfiles.size()+" test competency profiles from test competency manifest. Optional agent functionality enabled.");
-		} catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
-			LOG.info("Test competency manifest file for agent feedback not found. Skipping optional functionality.");
-			testCompetencyProfiles=null;
-		} catch (IOException e) {
-			LOG.info("Test competency manifest file for agent feedback unreadable. Skipping optional functionality.");
-			testCompetencyProfiles=null;
-		} 
-		return testCompetencyProfiles;
-	}
-	
-	public static List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(Path exercisePath, String fileName) {
-	    List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> exerciseCompetencyProfiles = new ArrayList<>();
-
-	    try (BufferedReader exerciseCompetencyManifest = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(new File(exercisePath.toFile(), fileName)))) {
-	        String exerciseEntry = exerciseCompetencyManifest.readLine();
-
-	        while (exerciseEntry != null) {
-	            String[] exerciseEntyComponents = exerciseEntry.split(ExerciseCompetencyProfile.COMPETENCY_SEPARATOR);
-	            ExerciseCompetencyProfile currentProfile = new ExerciseCompetencyProfile();
-
-	            currentProfile.exerciseTopicName = exerciseEntyComponents[0];
-	            currentProfile.exerciseName = exerciseEntyComponents[1];
-	            currentProfile.exerciseURL = exerciseEntyComponents[2];
-	            
-	            for (int competencyIndex = 0; competencyIndex < ExerciseCompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS; competencyIndex++) {
-	                currentProfile.competencyAssessments[competencyIndex] = Float.valueOf(exerciseEntyComponents[competencyIndex+3]);
-	            }
-	            
-	            currentProfile.difficulty = Float.parseFloat(exerciseEntyComponents[19]);
-
-	            exerciseCompetencyProfiles.add(currentProfile);
-	            
-	            exerciseEntry = exerciseCompetencyManifest.readLine();
-	        }
-	        exerciseCompetencyManifest.close();
-	        LOG.info("Added " + exerciseCompetencyProfiles.size() + " test competency profiles from exercise competency manifest.");
-	    } catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
-	        LOG.info("Exercise competency manifest file not found.");
-	    } catch (IOException e) {
-	        LOG.info("Exercise competency manifest file unreadable.");
-	    }
-
-	    return exerciseCompetencyProfiles;
-	}
-
-	public static String packFloats(float[] array) {
-		return IntStream.range(0, array.length)
-	            .mapToObj(i -> String.valueOf(array[i]))
-	            .collect(Collectors.joining(";"));
-	}
+    private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.class);
+
+    public static final String TEST_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME = "competency-tests.mft";
+    public static final String EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME = "exercise-tests.mft";
+
+    /**
+     * Retrieves the base directory where the test competency manifest is located
+     * by traversing upwards until it finds the file "exercise-tests.mft".
+     * 
+     * @param startDir Starting directory path to begin the search
+     * @return Path of the base directory if found; otherwise, null
+     */
+    public static Path getBaseDirectory(Path startDir) {
+        Path currentDir = startDir;
+        while (currentDir != null) {
+            Path manifestPath = currentDir.resolve(EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
+            if (Files.exists(manifestPath)) {
+                return currentDir;
+            }
+            currentDir = currentDir.getParent(); 
+        }
+        LOG.warn("Base directory with " + EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME + " not found starting from " + startDir);
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads and loads test competency profiles from the base directory.
+     *
+     * @param exercisePath Path to the starting exercise directory
+     * @return List of TestCompetencyProfile instances loaded from the manifest
+     */
+    public static List<TestCompetencyProfile> readTestCompetencyProfiles(Path exercisePath) {
+        Path baseDir = getBaseDirectory(exercisePath);
+        if (baseDir == null) {
+            LOG.error("Unable to locate the base directory for reading test competency profiles.");
+            return null;
+        }
+        return readTestCompetencyProfiles(baseDir, TEST_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reads and loads exercise competency profiles from the specified exercise directory.
+     *
+     * @param exercisePath Path to the exercise directory
+     * @return List of ExerciseCompetencyProfile instances loaded from the manifest
+     */
+    public static List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(Path exercisePath) {
+        return readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(exercisePath, EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
+    }
+
+    private static List<TestCompetencyProfile> readTestCompetencyProfiles(Path baseDir, String fileName) {
+        List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles = new ArrayList<>();
+        Path manifestPath = baseDir.resolve(fileName);
+
+        try (BufferedReader testCompetencyManifest = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(manifestPath.toFile()))) {
+            String testEntry = testCompetencyManifest.readLine();
+            while (testEntry != null) {
+                String[] testEntryComponents = testEntry.split(ICompetencyProfile.COMPETENCY_SEPARATOR);
+                TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile = new TestCompetencyProfile();
+                currentProfile.testPackageName = testEntryComponents[0];
+                currentProfile.testClassName = testEntryComponents[1];
+                currentProfile.testName = testEntryComponents[2];
+                for (int competencyIndex = 0; competencyIndex < ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS; competencyIndex++) {
+                    currentProfile.competencyAssessments[competencyIndex] = Float.valueOf(testEntryComponents[competencyIndex + 3]);
+                }
+                testCompetencyProfiles.add(currentProfile);
+                testEntry = testCompetencyManifest.readLine();
+            }
+            LOG.info("Loaded " + testCompetencyProfiles.size() + " test competency profiles from " + manifestPath);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            LOG.error("Error reading test competency manifest file at " + manifestPath, e);
+        }
+
+        return testCompetencyProfiles;
+    }
+
+    private static List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(Path exercisePath, String fileName) {
+        List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> exerciseCompetencyProfiles = new ArrayList<>();
+        Path manifestPath = exercisePath.resolve(fileName);
+
+        try (BufferedReader exerciseCompetencyManifest = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(manifestPath.toFile()))) {
+            String exerciseEntry = exerciseCompetencyManifest.readLine();
+            while (exerciseEntry != null) {
+                String[] exerciseEntryComponents = exerciseEntry.split(ExerciseCompetencyProfile.COMPETENCY_SEPARATOR);
+                ExerciseCompetencyProfile currentProfile = new ExerciseCompetencyProfile();
+                currentProfile.exerciseTopicName = exerciseEntryComponents[0];
+                currentProfile.exerciseName = exerciseEntryComponents[1];
+                currentProfile.exerciseURL = exerciseEntryComponents[2];
+                for (int competencyIndex = 0; competencyIndex < ExerciseCompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS; competencyIndex++) {
+                    currentProfile.competencyAssessments[competencyIndex] = Float.valueOf(exerciseEntryComponents[competencyIndex + 3]);
+                }
+                currentProfile.difficulty = Float.parseFloat(exerciseEntryComponents[19]);
+                exerciseCompetencyProfiles.add(currentProfile);
+                exerciseEntry = exerciseCompetencyManifest.readLine();
+            }
+            LOG.info("Loaded " + exerciseCompetencyProfiles.size() + " exercise competency profiles from " + manifestPath);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            LOG.error("Error reading exercise competency manifest file at " + manifestPath, e);
+        }
+
+        return exerciseCompetencyProfiles;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Converts an array of floats into a semicolon-separated string.
+     *
+     * @param array Array of float values to pack
+     * @return Semicolon-separated string of float values
+     */
+    public static String packFloats(float[] array) {
+        return IntStream.range(0, array.length)
+                .mapToObj(i -> String.valueOf(array[i]))
+                .collect(Collectors.joining(";"));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sums the competency profiles across all test competency profiles.
+     *
+     * @param testCompetencyProfiles List of test competency profiles
+     * @return An array representing the sum of competencies
+     */
+    public static float[] sumTestCompetencyProfiles(List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles) {
+        float[] tcpTotalProfile = new float[ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS];
+        for (TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile : testCompetencyProfiles) {
+            tcpTotalProfile = ICompetencyProfile.competencySum(tcpTotalProfile, currentProfile.competencyAssessments);
+        }
+        return tcpTotalProfile;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sums only the successful test competency profiles, based on the results summary.
+     *
+     * @param testCompetencyProfiles List of test competency profiles
+     * @param resultSummary The result summary containing test results
+     * @param success Indicates whether to sum successful (true) or unsuccessful (false) profiles
+     * @return An array representing the sum of competencies for successful or unsuccessful profiles
+     */
+    public static float[] sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles, ResultSummary resultSummary, boolean success) {
+        float[] sumSuccessful = new float[ICompetencyProfile.MAX_COMPETENCY_DIMENSIONS];
+        for (Result currentResult : resultSummary.results) {
+            boolean isSuccess = Integer.valueOf(currentResult.state).equals(Result.State.SUCCESS.ordinal());
+            if (isSuccess == success) {
+                TestCompetencyProfile currentProfile = new TestCompetencyProfile();
+                currentProfile.testPackageName = (currentResult.packageName != null) ? currentResult.packageName : "";
+                currentProfile.testClassName = (currentResult.className != null) ? currentResult.className : "";
+                currentProfile.testName = (currentResult.name != null) ? currentResult.name : "";
+                int testIndex = testCompetencyProfiles.indexOf(currentProfile);
+                if (testIndex != -1) {
+                    sumSuccessful = ICompetencyProfile.competencySum(sumSuccessful, testCompetencyProfiles.get(testIndex).competencyAssessments);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return sumSuccessful;
+    }
 
+    /**
+     * Checks if all elements in the competency profile array are zero (indicating full success).
+     *
+     * @param competencyProfile Array of competency values
+     * @return True if all values are zero; false otherwise
+     */
+    public static boolean isFullSuccess(float[] competencyProfile) {
+        for (float value : competencyProfile) {
+            if (value != 0.0f) {
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/ExecuteTestUtil.java b/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/ExecuteTestUtil.java
index 333b1771acb94d118d24e7d4b318bfcb3ea356db..73e5cedbe827693536a5587dc25433e19376922b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/ExecuteTestUtil.java
+++ b/src/main/java/de/hftstuttgart/dtabackend/utils/ExecuteTestUtil.java
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import com.github.dockerjava.api.model.Bind;
 import com.github.dockerjava.api.model.Volume;
 
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ExerciseCompetencyProfile;
-import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ICompetencyProfile;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.Recommendation;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.ResultSummary;
 import de.hftstuttgart.dtabackend.models.TestCompetencyProfile;
@@ -22,10 +21,7 @@ import java.net.MalformedURLException;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.nio.file.Paths;
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.HashMap;
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.*;
 import java.util.regex.Matcher;
 import java.util.regex.Pattern;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
@@ -38,217 +34,180 @@ public class ExecuteTestUtil  {
     private final String assignmentBasePath;
     private final Path testTmpPathHost;
 
-    public ExecuteTestUtil(
-        Environment env,
-        DockerUtil dockerUtil
-    ) {
+    public ExecuteTestUtil(Environment env, DockerUtil dockerUtil) {
         this.dockerUtil = dockerUtil;
-
-        // set base path for assignments to be stored
-        Path p = Paths.get(
+        this.assignmentBasePath = Paths.get(
             env.getProperty("data.dir"),
-            env.getProperty("data.dir.test.folder.name"));
-        this.assignmentBasePath = p.toAbsolutePath().toString();
+            env.getProperty("data.dir.test.folder.name"))
+            .toAbsolutePath().toString();
 
-        // set path of temporary directory on host _and_ inside our container, _must_ be identical 
         this.testTmpPathHost = Paths.get(env.getProperty("host.tests.tmp.dir"));
     }
 
     public ResultSummary runTests(String assignmentId, Path workDirectory) throws IOException, InterruptedException {
-
-        // define paths for the test, the submission and where the result is to be expected afterwards
-        Path testPath   = Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "/test");
-        Path srcPath    = Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "/src");
-        Path resultPath = Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "/result");
-
-        // clone stored test to tmpdir
-        LOG.debug("copying pre-downloaded unitttest repo");
-        FileUtil.copyFolder(
-            Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId),
-            testPath);
-
-        LOG.debug("copy test config");
-        Files.copy(
-            Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId + ".txt"),
-            Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "config.txt"));
-
+        // Define paths
+        Path testPath = workDirectory.resolve("test");
+        Path srcPath = workDirectory.resolve("src");
+        Path resultPath = workDirectory.resolve("result");
+
+        // Clone test to temporary directory
+        LOG.debug("Copying pre-downloaded unittest repo");
+        FileUtil.copyFolder(Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId), testPath);
+
+        // Copy configuration file
+        LOG.debug("Copy test config");
+        Files.copy(Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId + ".txt"), workDirectory.resolve("config.txt"));
         Files.createDirectory(resultPath);
 
-        LOG.info("reading test config");
-        Matcher config = RegexUtil.extractConfig(
-            new FileInputStream(Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "config.txt").toFile()), Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.DTA_TESTCONFIGREGEX));
-        String image="";
-        if(config==null)
-        {
-        	config = RegexUtil.extractConfig(
-                    new FileInputStream(Paths.get(workDirectory.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "config.txt").toFile()), Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.TESTCONFIGREGEX));
-        	if(config==null)
-        	{
-           		throw new RuntimeException("couldn't find repo config for unittest image extraction");
-        	}
-        	image=config.group(4);
-        }
-        else
-        {
-        	image=config.group(5);
-        }
-        // define the paths to mount as Binds from Host to the test-container
-        Path testPathHost = Paths.get(
-            testTmpPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(),
-            workDirectory.getName(workDirectory.getNameCount()-1).toString(),
-            testPath.getName(testPath.getNameCount()-1).toString()
-        );
-        Path srcPathHost = Paths.get(
-            testTmpPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(),
-            workDirectory.getName(workDirectory.getNameCount()-1).toString(),
-            srcPath.getName(srcPath.getNameCount()-1).toString()
-        );
-        Path resultPathHost = Paths.get(
-            testTmpPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(),
-            workDirectory.getName(workDirectory.getNameCount()-1).toString(),
-            resultPath.getName(resultPath.getNameCount()-1).toString()
-        );
+        // Load container image configuration
+        LOG.info("Reading test config");
+        String image = loadImageConfig(workDirectory);
+
+        // Define paths to mount in the container
+        Path testPathHost = testTmpPathHost.resolve(workDirectory.getFileName()).resolve(testPath.getFileName());
+        Path srcPathHost = testTmpPathHost.resolve(workDirectory.getFileName()).resolve(srcPath.getFileName());
+        Path resultPathHost = testTmpPathHost.resolve(workDirectory.getFileName()).resolve(resultPath.getFileName());
 
-        // start test-container with professor given image and bind mounts for test, submission and result
+        // Start container with mounts
         dockerUtil.runContainer(
             image,
-            new Bind(testPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(), new Volume("/data/test")),
-            new Bind(srcPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(), new Volume("/data/src")),
-            new Bind(resultPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(), new Volume("/data/result"))
+            new Bind(testPathHost.toString(), new Volume("/data/test")),
+            new Bind(srcPathHost.toString(), new Volume("/data/src")),
+            new Bind(resultPathHost.toString(), new Volume("/data/result"))
         );
 
-        ResultSummary resultSummary = generateResult(assignmentId, resultPath, testPathHost);
-        
-        return resultSummary;
+        return generateResult(assignmentId, resultPath, testPathHost);
+    }
+
+    private String loadImageConfig(Path workDirectory) throws FileNotFoundException {
+        Matcher config = RegexUtil.extractConfig(
+            new FileInputStream(workDirectory.resolve("config.txt").toFile()), 
+            Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.DTA_TESTCONFIGREGEX));
+
+        if (config == null) {
+            config = RegexUtil.extractConfig(
+                new FileInputStream(workDirectory.resolve("config.txt").toFile()), 
+                Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.TESTCONFIGREGEX));
+            
+            if (config == null) {
+                throw new RuntimeException("Couldn't find repo config for unittest image extraction");
+            }
+            return config.group(4);
+        }
+        return config.group(5);
     }
 
-	private ResultSummary generateResult(String assignmentId, Path resultPath, Path testPathHost)
-			throws IOException, StreamReadException, DatabindException, MalformedURLException {
-		// define expected result file
-        File resultFile = Paths.get(resultPath.toAbsolutePath().toString(), "result.json").toFile();
+    private ResultSummary generateResult(String assignmentId, Path resultPath, Path testPathHost)
+            throws IOException, StreamReadException, DatabindException, MalformedURLException {
+        File resultFile = resultPath.resolve("result.json").toFile();
 
-        // check if result file is there
         if (!resultFile.exists() || !resultFile.isFile()) {
             LOG.error(String.format("Could not find result file in %s", resultFile.getAbsolutePath()));
-            throw new RuntimeException("no resultfile found");
+            throw new RuntimeException("No result file found");
         }
 
-        LOG.debug("parse results json");
+        LOG.debug("Parse results JSON");
         ObjectMapper objectMapper = new ObjectMapper();
         ResultSummary resultSummary = objectMapper.readValue(resultFile.toURI().toURL(), ResultSummary.class);
-        LOG.debug("result json returned time "+ resultSummary.timestamp + " with "+resultSummary.results.size()+ " test results.");
+        LOG.debug("Result JSON returned at " + resultSummary.timestamp + " with " + resultSummary.results.size() + " test results.");
+
+        LOG.info("Checking for optional test competency profile information...");
+        List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.readTestCompetencyProfiles(testPathHost);
+
+        if (testCompetencyProfiles != null) {
+            LOG.info("Found test competency profiles, generating profile data...");
+            resultSummary.overallTestCompetencyProfile = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.packFloats(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumTestCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles));
+            resultSummary.successfulTestCompetencyProfile = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.packFloats(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary, true));
+            
+            Path exerciseManifestFile = testPathHost.resolve(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
+            if (Files.exists(exerciseManifestFile)) {
+                LOG.info("Found exercise competency profiles, generating recommendations...");
+                resultSummary.recommendations = recommendNextExercises(assignmentId, testPathHost, testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary);
+            }
+        }
+        return resultSummary;
+    }
+
+    public List<Recommendation> recommendNextExercises(String assignmentId, Path testPathHost, List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles, ResultSummary resultSummary)
+        throws FileNotFoundException {
+    
+    String testRepoURL = RegexUtil.extractConfig(
+        new FileInputStream(Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId + ".txt").toFile()), 
+        Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.DTA_TESTCONFIGREGEX)).group(1);
+
+    List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> exerciseCompetencyProfiles = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(testPathHost);
+
+    int currentTopicIndex = 0;
+    float currentDifficulty = 0.0f;
+    Map<String, Integer> topicOrder = new HashMap<>();
+    int order = 1;
+
+    // Determine currentTopicIndex and set currentDifficulty based on exercise profiles
+    for (ExerciseCompetencyProfile e : exerciseCompetencyProfiles) {
+        if (!topicOrder.containsKey(e.exerciseTopicName)) {
+            topicOrder.put(e.exerciseTopicName, order++);
+        }
+        if (e.exerciseURL.equals(testRepoURL)) {
+            currentTopicIndex = order;
+            currentDifficulty = e.difficulty;  // Directly assign to currentDifficulty
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Sum competencies for unsuccessful tests
+    float[] unsuccessful = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary, false);
+
+    // Filter exercises based on topics and difficulty
+    List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filteredExercises = filterExercisesByTopicsAndDifficulty(
+            exerciseCompetencyProfiles, topicOrder, currentTopicIndex, testRepoURL, currentDifficulty, unsuccessful);
+
+    // Generate recommendations without using lambda expressions
+    List<Recommendation> recommendedExercises = new ArrayList<>();
+    for (ExerciseCompetencyProfile profile : filteredExercises) {
+        float score = calculateScore(profile, unsuccessful, topicOrder, currentDifficulty);
+        Recommendation recommendation = new Recommendation(
+                profile.exerciseTopicName, 
+                profile.exerciseURL, 
+                profile.exerciseName, 
+                profile.difficulty, 
+                score);
+        recommendedExercises.add(recommendation);
+    }
+
+    // Sort the recommendations using Collections.sort and a comparator
+    Collections.sort(recommendedExercises, Recommendation.COMPARE_BY_SCORE);
+    
+    return recommendedExercises;
+}
+
+    public static List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filterExercisesByTopicsAndDifficulty(List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> profiles,
+            Map<String, Integer> topicOrder, int currentTopicIndex, String testRepoURL, float currentDifficulty, float[] unsuccessful) {
         
-        LOG.info("Checking for optional test competency profile information for paedagogical agent functionality...");
-        List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles=CompetencyAssessmentUtil.readTestCompetencyProfiles(testPathHost, CompetencyAssessmentUtil.TEST_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
-        if(testCompetencyProfiles!=null) {
-        	LOG.info("Found optional test competency profiles, generating agent profile data...");
-        	resultSummary.overallTestCompetencyProfile=CompetencyAssessmentUtil.packFloats(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumTestCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles));
-        	resultSummary.successfulTestCompetencyProfile=CompetencyAssessmentUtil.packFloats(CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary, true));
-        	
-        	LOG.info("Checking for optional exercise competency profile information for paedagogical agent exercise recommendation functionality...");
-        	//testPathHost or assignmentBasePath
-        	Path exerciseManifestFile = Paths.get(testPathHost.toAbsolutePath().toString(), CompetencyAssessmentUtil.EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
-			if (Files.exists(exerciseManifestFile)) {
-				LOG.info("Found optional exercise competency profiles, generating recommendations...");
-				resultSummary.recommendations = recommendNextExercises(assignmentId, testPathHost, testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary);
-			}
+        List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filteredExercises = profiles.stream()
+                .filter(profile -> topicOrder.get(profile.exerciseTopicName) <= currentTopicIndex)
+                .collect(Collectors.toList());
+
+        if (CompetencyAssessmentUtil.isFullSuccess(unsuccessful)) {
+            filteredExercises = filteredExercises.stream()
+                    .filter(profile -> profile.difficulty >= currentDifficulty && !testRepoURL.equals(profile.exerciseURL))
+                    .collect(Collectors.toList());
+        } else {
+            filteredExercises = filteredExercises.stream()
+                    .filter(profile -> profile.difficulty <= currentDifficulty)
+                    .collect(Collectors.toList());
         }
-		return resultSummary;
-	}
-	
-	/*
-	 * exercise recommendation part
-	 */
-	public List<Recommendation> recommendNextExercises(String assignmentId, Path testPathHost, List<TestCompetencyProfile> testCompetencyProfiles, ResultSummary resultSummary)
-			throws FileNotFoundException {
-		// fetch repo url from original test upload
-		Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile(RegexUtil.DTA_TESTCONFIGREGEX);
-		File file = Paths.get(assignmentBasePath, assignmentId + ".txt").toFile();
-		FileInputStream configFileStream = new FileInputStream(file);
-		Matcher config = RegexUtil.extractConfig(configFileStream, pattern);
-		String testRepoURL = config.group(1);
-
-		List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> exerciseCompetencyProfiles = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.readExerciseCompetencyProfiles(testPathHost, CompetencyAssessmentUtil.EXERCISE_COMPETENCY_MANIFEST_FILE_NAME);
-
-		int currentTopicIndex=0;
-		float currentDifficulty=0.0f;
-
-		//build course topic order
-		Map<String, Integer> topicOrder = new HashMap<>();
-		int order = 1;
-		for (ExerciseCompetencyProfile e : exerciseCompetencyProfiles) {
-			if (!topicOrder.containsKey(e.exerciseTopicName)) {
-				topicOrder.put(e.exerciseTopicName, order++);
-			}
-			if (e.exerciseURL.equals(testRepoURL)) {
-				currentTopicIndex = order;
-				currentDifficulty = e.difficulty;
-			}
-		}
-		
-		//filter exercises according to success
-		float[] unsuccessful = CompetencyAssessmentUtil.sumSuccessfulCompetencyProfiles(testCompetencyProfiles, resultSummary, false);
-		List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filteredExercises = filterExercisesByTopicsAndDifficulty(
-				exerciseCompetencyProfiles, topicOrder, currentTopicIndex, testRepoURL,
-				currentDifficulty, unsuccessful, resultSummary);
-		
-		//compute recommendations
-		List<Recommendation> recommendedExercises = new ArrayList<>();
-		for (ExerciseCompetencyProfile exerciseProfile : filteredExercises) {
-			Recommendation recommendation = new Recommendation(exerciseProfile.exerciseTopicName, exerciseProfile.exerciseURL, exerciseProfile.exerciseName,
-					exerciseProfile.difficulty, calculateScore(exerciseProfile, unsuccessful, topicOrder, currentDifficulty));
-			recommendedExercises.add(recommendation);
-			LOG.info("Recommending exercise "+recommendation.topic+"/"+recommendation.exerciseName+" with score "+recommendation.score);
-		}
-		//sort the recommendations for successful or resilient learners, otherwise reverse in display
-		recommendedExercises.stream().sorted(Recommendation.COMPARE_BY_SCORE).collect(Collectors.toList());
-		
-		return recommendedExercises;
-	}
-
-	public static List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filterExercisesByTopicsAndDifficulty(List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> exerciseCompetencyProfiles,
-			Map<String, Integer> topicOrder, int currentTopicIndex, String testRepoURL, float currentDifficulty, float[] unsuccessful, 
-			ResultSummary resultSummary) {
-		//filter out all advanced topics in any case
-		//option for later: include next topic if fullsuccess and current difficulty == max difficulty
-		List<ExerciseCompetencyProfile> filteredExercises = exerciseCompetencyProfiles.stream()
-		        .filter(testProfile -> topicOrder.get(testProfile.exerciseTopicName) <= currentTopicIndex)
-		        .collect(Collectors.toList());
-
-		//filter by difficulty according to success
-		if (isFullSuccess(unsuccessful)) {
-			filteredExercises = filteredExercises.stream().filter(profile -> profile.difficulty >= currentDifficulty && !testRepoURL.equals(profile.exerciseURL)).collect(Collectors.toList());
-		} else {
-			filteredExercises = filteredExercises.stream().filter(profile -> profile.difficulty <= currentDifficulty).collect(Collectors.toList());
-		}
-
-		return filteredExercises;
-	}
-	
-	public static boolean isFullSuccess(float[] unsuccessful) {
-		for (float value : unsuccessful) {
-			if (value != 0.0f) {
-				return false;
-			}
-		}
-		return true;
-	}
-
-	public static float calculateScore(ExerciseCompetencyProfile exerciseProfile, float[] unsuccessful, Map<String, Integer> topicOrder, float currentDifficulty) {
-		//ensure factor 1 for full success not to blank out score, thus offset the base
-		float score = 1.0f;
-		//competency profile difference to not fully achieved competencies component
-		for (int i = 0; i < exerciseProfile.competencyAssessments.length-1; i++) {
-			score += exerciseProfile.competencyAssessments[i] * unsuccessful[i];
-		}
-		
-		//difficulty component
-		score = score * (exerciseProfile.difficulty*(0.5f+Math.abs(currentDifficulty-exerciseProfile.difficulty)));
-		
-		//topic component
-		score *= topicOrder.get(exerciseProfile.exerciseTopicName);
-
-		score = Math.round(score * 10.0f) / 10.0f;
-		return score;
-	}
+
+        return filteredExercises;
+    }
+
+    public static float calculateScore(ExerciseCompetencyProfile profile, float[] unsuccessful, Map<String, Integer> topicOrder, float currentDifficulty) {
+        float score = 1.0f;
+        for (int i = 0; i < profile.competencyAssessments.length - 1; i++) {
+            score += profile.competencyAssessments[i] * unsuccessful[i];
+        }
+
+        score *= profile.difficulty * (0.5f + Math.abs(currentDifficulty - profile.difficulty));
+        score *= topicOrder.getOrDefault(profile.exerciseTopicName, 1);
+        
+        return Math.round(score * 10.0f) / 10.0f;
+    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file