diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/forward.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/forward.py
index 271b1ffae9..59777d5b76 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/forward.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/forward.py
@@ -88,34 +88,32 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, mesh, init, time_integrator, name='forward',
         mesh_package = mesh.mesh_step.package
         mesh_package_contents = list(contents(mesh_package))
         mesh_namelists = ['namelist.forward',
-                          'namelist.{}'.format(time_integrator.lower())]
+                          f'namelist.{time_integrator.lower()}']
         for mesh_namelist in mesh_namelists:
             if mesh_namelist in mesh_package_contents:
                 self.add_namelist_file(mesh_package, mesh_namelist)
 
         mesh_streams = ['streams.forward',
-                        'streams.{}'.format(time_integrator.lower())]
+                        f'streams.{time_integrator.lower()}']
         for mesh_stream in mesh_streams:
             if mesh_stream in mesh_package_contents:
                 self.add_streams_file(mesh_package, mesh_stream)
 
-        mesh_path = mesh.mesh_step.path
-
         if mesh.with_ice_shelf_cavities:
-            initial_state_target = '{}/ssh_adjustment/adjusted_init.nc'.format(
-                init.path)
+            initial_state_target = \
+                f'{init.path}/ssh_adjustment/adjusted_init.nc'
         else:
-            initial_state_target = '{}/initial_state/initial_state.nc'.format(
-                init.path)
+            initial_state_target = \
+                f'{init.path}/initial_state/initial_state.nc'
         self.add_input_file(filename='init.nc',
                             work_dir_target=initial_state_target)
         self.add_input_file(
             filename='forcing_data.nc',
-            work_dir_target='{}/initial_state/init_mode_forcing_data.nc'
-                            ''.format(init.path))
+            work_dir_target=f'{init.path}/initial_state/'
+                            f'init_mode_forcing_data.nc')
         self.add_input_file(
             filename='graph.info',
-            work_dir_target='{}/culled_graph.info'.format(mesh_path))
+            work_dir_target=f'{init.path}/initial_state/graph.info')
 
         self.add_model_as_input()
 
@@ -223,7 +221,6 @@ def get_forward_subdir(init_subdir, time_integrator, name):
     elif time_integrator == 'RK4':
         subdir = os.path.join(init_subdir, time_integrator, name)
     else:
-        raise ValueError('Unexpected time integrator {}'.format(
-            time_integrator))
+        raise ValueError(f'Unexpected time integrator {time_integrator}')
 
     return subdir
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
index b12112845e..1f3575ed67 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/initial_state.py
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, mesh, initial_condition, with_bgc):
             Whether to include biogeochemistry (BGC) in the initial condition
         """
         if initial_condition not in ['PHC', 'EN4_1900']:
-            raise ValueError('Unknown initial_condition {}'.format(
-                initial_condition))
+            raise ValueError(f'Unknown initial_condition {initial_condition}')
 
         super().__init__(test_case=test_case, name='initial_state')
         self.mesh = mesh
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, mesh, initial_condition, with_bgc):
         # generate the namelist, replacing a few default options
         self.add_namelist_file(package, 'namelist.init', mode='init')
         self.add_namelist_file(
-            package, 'namelist.{}'.format(initial_condition.lower()),
+            package, f'namelist.{initial_condition.lower()}',
             mode='init')
         if mesh.with_ice_shelf_cavities:
             self.add_namelist_file(package, 'namelist.wisc', mode='init')
@@ -115,25 +114,25 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, mesh, initial_condition, with_bgc):
 
         self.add_input_file(
             filename='mesh.nc',
-            work_dir_target='{}/culled_mesh.nc'.format(mesh_path))
+            work_dir_target=f'{mesh_path}/culled_mesh.nc')
 
         self.add_input_file(
             filename='critical_passages.nc',
-            work_dir_target='{}/critical_passages_mask_final.nc'.format(
-                mesh_path))
+            work_dir_target=f'{mesh_path}/critical_passages_mask_final.nc')
 
         self.add_input_file(
             filename='graph.info',
-            work_dir_target='{}/culled_graph.info'.format(mesh_path))
+            work_dir_target=f'{mesh_path}/culled_graph.info')
 
         if mesh.with_ice_shelf_cavities:
             self.add_input_file(
                 filename='land_ice_mask.nc',
-                work_dir_target='{}/land_ice_mask.nc'.format(mesh_path))
+                work_dir_target=f'{mesh_path}/land_ice_mask.nc')
 
         self.add_model_as_input()
 
-        for file in ['initial_state.nc', 'init_mode_forcing_data.nc']:
+        for file in ['initial_state.nc', 'init_mode_forcing_data.nc',
+                     'graph.info']:
             self.add_output_file(filename=file)
 
     def setup(self):