diff --git a/openmdao/components/exec_comp.py b/openmdao/components/exec_comp.py
index 755e5f681f..b5c914b8a9 100644
--- a/openmdao/components/exec_comp.py
+++ b/openmdao/components/exec_comp.py
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         for expr in self._codes:
             exec(expr, _expr_dict, _IODict(outputs, inputs))
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Use complex step method to update the given Jacobian.
 
@@ -241,9 +241,6 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
         inputs : `VecWrapper`
             `VecWrapper` containing parameters. (p)
 
-        outputs : `VecWrapper`
-            `VecWrapper` containing outputs and states. (u)
-
         partials : `Jacobian`
             Contains sub-jacobians.
         """
@@ -273,7 +270,7 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
                 else:
                     pwrap[param][idx] += step
 
-                uwrap = _TmpDict(outputs, return_complex=True)
+                uwrap = _TmpDict(self._outputs, return_complex=True)
 
                 # solve with complex param value
                 self._residuals.set_const(0.0)
diff --git a/openmdao/components/meta_model.py b/openmdao/components/meta_model.py
index 2650be5c22..74764a7391 100644
--- a/openmdao/components/meta_model.py
+++ b/openmdao/components/meta_model.py
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ def _vec_to_array2d(self, vec):
 
         return arr
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Compute sub-jacobian parts. The model is assumed to be in an unscaled state.
 
@@ -320,8 +320,6 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
         ----------
         inputs : Vector
             unscaled, dimensional input variables read via inputs[key]
-        outputs : Vector
-            unscaled, dimensional output variables read via outputs[key]
         partials : Jacobian
             sub-jac components written to partials[output_name, input_name]
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/core/explicitcomponent.py b/openmdao/core/explicitcomponent.py
index b11110ec13..03f5713b33 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/explicitcomponent.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/explicitcomponent.py
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def _linearize(self, do_nl=False, do_ln=False):
                 # negate constant subjacs (and others that will get overwritten)
                 # back to normal
                 self._negate_jac()
-                self.compute_partials(self._inputs, self._outputs, J)
+                self.compute_partials(self._inputs, J)
 
                 # re-negate the jacobian
                 self._negate_jac()
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """
         pass
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Compute sub-jacobian parts. The model is assumed to be in an unscaled state.
 
@@ -330,8 +330,6 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
         ----------
         inputs : Vector
             unscaled, dimensional input variables read via inputs[key]
-        outputs : Vector
-            unscaled, dimensional output variables read via outputs[key]
         partials : Jacobian
             sub-jac components written to partials[output_name, input_name]
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_approx_derivs.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_approx_derivs.py
index ed5c9cac41..f94f0f0030 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_approx_derivs.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_approx_derivs.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def test_arrray_comp(self):
 
         class DoubleArrayFD(DoubleArrayComp):
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """
                 Override deriv calculation.
                 """
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ def test_arrray_comp(self, vec_class):
 
         class DoubleArrayFD(DoubleArrayComp):
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """
                 Override deriv calculation.
                 """
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_check_derivs.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_check_derivs.py
index 07d86e62d2..492f9234bc 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_check_derivs.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_check_derivs.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally incorrect derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([4.0])
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally incorrect derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([4.0])
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally incorrect derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([4.0])
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally incorrect derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([4.0])
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally incorrect derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([4.0])
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 """ Doesn't do much. """
                 outputs['y'] = 3.0*inputs['x1'] + 4.0*inputs['x2']
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """Intentionally left out derivative."""
                 J = partials
                 J['y', 'x1'] = np.array([3.0])
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ def setup(self):
 
                 self.run_count = 0
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 partials['flow:T', 'T'] = 1.
                 partials['flow:P', 'P'] = 1.
 
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_expl_comp.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_expl_comp.py
index 61fab53f7b..f39d7cd6e0 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_expl_comp.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_expl_comp.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
 
 class RectanglePartial(RectangleComp):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['area', 'length'] = inputs['width']
         partials['area', 'width'] = inputs['length']
 
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_matmat.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_matmat.py
index e41e616a04..2763889f67 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_matmat.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_matmat.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['f_arclength'] = np.sqrt(1 + inputs['yp_lgl']**2)
 
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['f_arclength', 'yp_lgl'] = inputs['yp_lgl'] / np.sqrt(1 + inputs['yp_lgl']**2)
 
 
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_parallel_groups.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_parallel_groups.py
index 640dca031a..b792bb1b45 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_parallel_groups.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_parallel_groups.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ def setup(self):
             def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 outputs['y'] = inputs['x'] * self.mult
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 partials['y', 'x'] = numpy.array([self.mult])
 
         prob = Problem()
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf.py
index 4f2d8e8bcb..62fbec6184 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def setup(self):
     def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['y'] = 2 * inputs['x']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, jacobian):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, jacobian):
         jacobian['y', 'x'] = 2 * np.ones((self.size, 1))
 
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def setup(self):
     def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['z'] = 3 * inputs['x']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, jacobian):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, jacobian):
         jacobian['z', 'x'] = 3.0
 
 
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf_dynamic.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf_dynamic.py
index caf0c31fcd..43ff168965 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf_dynamic.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_reconf_dynamic.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def setup(self):
     def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['y'] = 2 * inputs['x']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, jacobian):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, jacobian):
         jacobian['y', 'x'] = 2 * np.ones((self.size, 1))
 
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def setup(self):
     def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['z'] = 3 * inputs['x']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, jacobian):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, jacobian):
         jacobian['z', 'x'] = 3.0
 
 
diff --git a/openmdao/core/tests/test_scaling.py b/openmdao/core/tests/test_scaling.py
index aa33497dd1..86c65e3786 100644
--- a/openmdao/core/tests/test_scaling.py
+++ b/openmdao/core/tests/test_scaling.py
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ def setup(self):
             def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                 outputs['y'] = 2.0*(inputs['x'] + 1.0)
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """
                 Jacobian for Sellar discipline 1.
                 """
diff --git a/openmdao/docs/features/building_components/explicitcomp.rst b/openmdao/docs/features/building_components/explicitcomp.rst
index 226e9fa368..0b1525b4c0 100644
--- a/openmdao/docs/features/building_components/explicitcomp.rst
+++ b/openmdao/docs/features/building_components/explicitcomp.rst
@@ -31,10 +31,9 @@ The implementation of each method will be illustrated using a simple explicit co
   .. embed-code::
       openmdao.core.tests.test_expl_comp.RectangleComp.compute
 
-- :code:`compute_partials(inputs, outputs, partials)` :
+- :code:`compute_partials(inputs, partials)` :
 
   [Optional] Compute the :code:`partials` (partial derivatives) given the :code:`inputs`.
-  The :code:`outputs` are also provided for convenience.
 
   .. embed-code::
       openmdao.core.tests.test_expl_comp.RectanglePartial.compute_partials
diff --git a/openmdao/docs/style_guide/sphinx_decorators.rst b/openmdao/docs/style_guide/sphinx_decorators.rst
index a64b56544e..1c7886368d 100644
--- a/openmdao/docs/style_guide/sphinx_decorators.rst
+++ b/openmdao/docs/style_guide/sphinx_decorators.rst
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ and a method that looks like this and has the decorator applied to it:
    ::
 
     @mydecorator
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Compute sub-jacobian parts / factorization.
 
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@ and a method that looks like this and has the decorator applied to it:
         ----------
         inputs : Vector
             unscaled, dimensional input variables read via inputs[key]
-        outputs : Vector
-            unscaled, dimensional output variables read via outputs[key]
         partials : Jacobian
             sub-jac components written to partials[output_name, input_name]
         """
@@ -57,7 +55,7 @@ But if we add the call signature of the method to the docstring as the first lin
    ::
 
     @mydecorator
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Compute sub-jacobian parts / factorization.
 
@@ -65,8 +63,6 @@ But if we add the call signature of the method to the docstring as the first lin
         ----------
         inputs : Vector
             unscaled, dimensional input variables read via inputs[key]
-        outputs : Vector
-            unscaled, dimensional output variables read via outputs[key]
         partials : Jacobian
             sub-jac components written to partials[output_name, input_name]
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/drivers/tests/test_pyoptsparse_driver.py b/openmdao/drivers/tests/test_pyoptsparse_driver.py
index e136faf1b6..75cf4ce558 100644
--- a/openmdao/drivers/tests/test_pyoptsparse_driver.py
+++ b/openmdao/drivers/tests/test_pyoptsparse_driver.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['f_xy'] = (x-3.0)**2 + x*y + (y+4.0)**2 - 3.0
         self.eval_iter_count += 1
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Jacobian for our paraboloid."""
 
         if self.grad_iter_count == self.grad_fail_at:
diff --git a/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian.py b/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian.py
index e54788ef22..e55d07ca70 100644
--- a/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian.py
+++ b/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                            y[0]*17. - y[0]*y[1] + 2.*y[1]
         outputs['f'][1] = outputs['f'][0]*3.0
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         x = inputs['x']
         y = inputs['y']
         jac1 = self._jac_type(np.array([
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         z = inputs['z']
         outputs['f'] = (w[0]-5.0)**2 + (w[1]+1.0)**2 + w[2]*6. + z*7.
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         w = inputs['w']
         z = inputs['z']
         jac = self._jac_type(np.array([[
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def setup(self):
         self.add_input('in', val=in_val*scale)
         self.add_output('out', val=out_val*scale)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['out', 'in'] = self._constructor(self._value)
 
 
diff --git a/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian_features.py b/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian_features.py
index 664e407609..7c43a6716b 100644
--- a/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian_features.py
+++ b/openmdao/jacobians/tests/test_jacobian_features.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
                         + np.outer(np.ones(2), inputs['y2'])
                         + inputs['x']*np.eye(2))
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['f', 'x'] = 1.
         partials['f', 'z'] = np.ones((1, 4))
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['f'] = np.sum(inputs['z']) + inputs['x']
         outputs['g'] = np.outer(inputs['y1'] + inputs['y3'], inputs['y2']) + inputs['x'] * np.eye(2)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         pass
 
 
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def setup(self):
 
         self.approx_partials('*', '*', **self.kwargs)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         pass
 
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def setup(self):
         self.approx_partials('g', 'x', **self.kwargs)
         self.approx_partials('g', 'y2', **self.kwargs)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['f', 'x'] = 1.
         partials['f', 'z'] = np.ones((1, 4))
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def setup(self):
 
         self.declare_partials(**self.partial_kwargs)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         pass
 
 
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ def setup(self):
                 self.add_output('z', shape=(3,))
                 self.add_input('x', shape=(3,), units='degF')
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 partials['y', 'x'] = self.A
                 partials['z', 'x'] = self.A
 
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ def setup(self):
 
                 self.declare_partials(of='f', wrt='x', rows=[0,1,1,1], cols=[0,1,2,3])
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 pd = partials['f', 'x']
 
                 # Corresponds to the (0, 0) entry
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ def setup(self):
 
                 self.declare_partials(of='f', wrt='x', rows=[0, 1, 1, 1], cols=[0, 1, 2, 3])
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 # Corresponds to the [(0,0), (1,1), (1,2), (1,3)] entries.
                 partials['f', 'x'] = [1., 2., 3., 4.]
 
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ def setup(self):
                                       val=[1. , 2., 3., 4.])
                 self.declare_partials(of='f', wrt='y', val=sp.sparse.eye(2, format='csc'))
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 pass
 
         model = Group()
diff --git a/openmdao/solvers/linesearch/tests/test_backtracking.py b/openmdao/solvers/linesearch/tests/test_backtracking.py
index 11129d6461..e9a5dc1a17 100644
--- a/openmdao/solvers/linesearch/tests/test_backtracking.py
+++ b/openmdao/solvers/linesearch/tests/test_backtracking.py
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
 
                 outputs['f_xy'] = (x-3.0)**2 + x*y + (y+4.0)**2 - 3.0
 
-            def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+            def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
                 """ Jacobian for our paraboloid."""
                 x = inputs['x']
                 y = inputs['y']
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/cycle_comps.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/cycle_comps.py
index d5cc78f2ae..faa82140c2 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/cycle_comps.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/cycle_comps.py
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ def _array2kwargs(self, arr, pd_type):
         else:
             return {'val': jac}
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         if self.metadata['jacobian_type'] != 'matvec' and not self.metadata['finite_difference']:
             angle_param = self._cycle_names[self.angle_param]
             angle = inputs[angle_param]
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         # theta_out has 1/2 the error as theta does to the correct angle.
         outputs[self._cycle_names['theta_out']] = theta / 2 + (self._n * 2 * np.pi - psi) / (2 * k - 2)
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         if self.metadata['jacobian_type'] != 'matvec' and not self.metadata['finite_difference']:
             pd_type = self.metadata['partial_type']
             for i in range(self.metadata['num_var']):
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_array.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_array.py
index 7044de697f..1b63fcfccc 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_array.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_array.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
 
 class TestExplCompArrayDense(TestExplCompArray):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         thk = self.metadata['thickness']
 
         partials['areas', 'lengths'] = np.diag(inputs['widths'].flatten())
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
 
 class TestExplCompArraySpmtx(TestExplCompArray):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         thk = self.metadata['thickness']
 
         inds = np.arange(4)
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
 
 class TestExplCompArraySparse(TestExplCompArray):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         thk = self.metadata['thickness']
 
         inds = np.arange(4)
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_simple.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_simple.py
index 0f10b243d7..ec553e1f72 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_simple.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/expl_comp_simple.py
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
 
 class TestExplCompSimpleDense(TestExplCompSimple):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['area', 'length'] = inputs['width']
         partials['area', 'width'] = inputs['length']
 
 
 class TestExplCompSimpleSpmtx(TestExplCompSimple):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['area', 'length'] = scipy.sparse.csr_matrix(
             (inputs['width'], (0, 0)))
         partials['area', 'width'] = scipy.sparse.csr_matrix(
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
 
 class TestExplCompSimpleSparse(TestExplCompSimple):
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['area', 'length'] = (inputs['width'], 0, 0)
         partials['area', 'width'] = (inputs['length'], 0, 0)
 
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid.py
index 87a61a3334..b0207c064b 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
 
         outputs['f_xy'] = (x-3.0)**2 + x*y + (y+4.0)**2 - 3.0
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Jacobian for our paraboloid.
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid_mat_vec.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid_mat_vec.py
index d046749e75..253bb7dddb 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid_mat_vec.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/paraboloid_mat_vec.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 class ParaboloidMatVec(Paraboloid):
     """ Use matrix-vector product."""
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """Analytical derivatives."""
         pass
 
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/sellar.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/sellar.py
index 0d547ac2c4..9b2cca6858 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/sellar.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/sellar.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def _turn_on_fd(self):
         # Finite difference nothing
         pass
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Jacobian for Sellar discipline 1.
         """
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ def _turn_on_fd(self):
         # Finite difference nothing
         pass
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, J):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, J):
         """
         Jacobian for Sellar discipline 2.
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/simple_comps.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/simple_comps.py
index 8208d9d2a2..53acab8b84 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/simple_comps.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/simple_comps.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['y2'] = self.JJ[2:4, 0:2].dot(inputs['x1']) + \
                          self.JJ[2:4, 2:4].dot(inputs['x2'])
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Analytical derivatives.
         """
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['y2'] = self.JJ[3:4, 0:2].dot(inputs['x1']) + \
                          self.JJ[3:4, 2:4].dot(inputs['x2'])
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """
         Analytical derivatives.
         """
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/components/unit_conv.py b/openmdao/test_suite/components/unit_conv.py
index 3da74134c1..07714e614a 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/components/unit_conv.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/components/unit_conv.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """ Pass through."""
         outputs['x2'] = inputs['x1']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Derivative is 1.0"""
         partials['x2', 'x1'] = 1.0
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def setup(self):
         super(SrcCompFD, self).setup()
         self.approx_partials('*', '*')
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Override"""
         pass
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """ Pass through."""
         outputs['x3'] = inputs['x2']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Derivative is 1.0"""
         partials['x3', 'x2'] = 1.0
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def setup(self):
         super(TgtCompFFD, self).setup()
         self.approx_partials('*', '*')
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Override"""
         pass
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """ Pass through."""
         outputs['x3'] = inputs['x2']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Derivative is 1.0"""
         partials['x3', 'x2'] = 1.0
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def setup(self):
         super(TgtCompCFD, self).setup()
         self.approx_partials('*', '*')
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Override"""
         pass
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """ Pass through."""
         outputs['x3'] = inputs['x2']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Derivative is 1.0"""
         partials['x3', 'x2'] = 1.0
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def setup(self):
         super(TgtCompKFD, self).setup()
         self.approx_partials('*', '*')
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         """ Override"""
         pass
 
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         """ Pass through."""
         outputs['x3'] = inputs['x2']
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, J):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, J):
         """ Derivative is 1.0"""
         J['_x3', 'x2'] = np.array([1.0])
         J['_x3', '_x2'] = 0.0
diff --git a/openmdao/test_suite/groups/sin_fitter.py b/openmdao/test_suite/groups/sin_fitter.py
index d166812397..11b3dc41d0 100644
--- a/openmdao/test_suite/groups/sin_fitter.py
+++ b/openmdao/test_suite/groups/sin_fitter.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ def compute(self, inputs, outputs):
         outputs['f_arclength'] = np.sqrt(1 + inputs['yp_lgl']**2)
 
 
-    def compute_partials(self, inputs, outputs, partials):
+    def compute_partials(self, inputs, partials):
         partials['f_arclength', 'yp_lgl'] = inputs['yp_lgl'] / np.sqrt(1 + inputs['yp_lgl']**2)