Refine README and fix exercise date related tests

Author: omgwagon

README.md

@@ -142,8 +142,10 @@ up with `docker-compose up` you will be able to hit the test `GET /` endpoint at
 __3.__ Testing
 
 Unit tests are encouraged but not required; we'll understand if you spend your
-time on the solution rather than the tests. (Especially because we provide a
-test harness, see below.)
+time on the solution rather than the tests. Especially because we provide a
+[test harness](exercise), see below. It is likely a good idea to use the test harness
+to test your code early and as you go, maybe try approaching the problems in parts;
+create a student, get a student, find students.
 
 ## Checking your work
 
@@ -196,9 +198,11 @@ OK
 
 __1.__ Timeframe
 
-You should take a max of three hours to complete this exercise. We want to be
+You should take a maximum of three hours to complete this exercise. We want to be
 both respectful of your time and fair to other candidates who might not have
-a whole weekend to work on it.
+a whole weekend to work on it. It is a complex task, we are looking to see
+how you approach the problems. Try to pass as many of the [exercise](exercise)
+tests as you can, and be able to talk about the tests you didn't get to.
 
 __2.__ Git
 

exercise/check.py

@@ -175,20 +175,22 @@ def test_multiple_match_any_name(self):
         self.assert_first_names(doc, ['Jamie', 'Jimbo'])
 
     def test_no_match_started_after(self):
+        now = datetime.now()
         doc = self.assert_get_in(
             [200], 'With no match checking started_after',
-            query_args={'started_after': '2019-10-31'}
+            query_args={'started_after': str(now.year+10)+'-10-31'}
         ).json()
         self.assertEqual(doc['students'], [])
 
     def test_multiple_matches_started_after(self):
-        self.create(first_name="Chuck", started_at="2016-11-09")
-        self.create(first_name="Carol", started_at="2019-01-13")
-        self.create(first_name="Cindy", started_at="2018-04-08")
-        self.create(first_name="Carl", started_at="2017-09-12")
+        now = datetime.now()
+        self.create(first_name="Chuck", started_at=str(now.year-2)+"-11-09")
+        self.create(first_name="Carol", started_at=str(now.year+3)+"-01-13")
+        self.create(first_name="Cindy", started_at=str(now.year+2)+"-04-08")
+        self.create(first_name="Carl", started_at=str(now.year-1)+"-09-12")
         doc = self.assert_get_in(
             [200], 'With multiple matches checking started_after',
-            query_args={'started_after': '2018-03-31'}
+            query_args={'started_after': str(now.year+1)+'-03-31'}
         ).json()
         self.assert_first_names(doc, ['Carol', 'Cindy'])