MICROBASED COMPUTER LITERACY EXEMPTION EXAM

MICROBASED COMPUTER LITERACY EXEMPTION EXAM

General Information

For the date of the next exam, please call 724-357-2425

The exemption examination for Microbased Computer Literacy (IFMG/COSC/BTED 101) is an option for IUP students. The primary purpose of this examination is to recognize competencies students have acquired through prior training and experience and to place students out of the course who already possess an appropriate level of computer literacy.

This exemption examination may be taken at any time prior to graduation. However, because of the fundamental nature of the Microbased Computer Literacy course, students who feel that they possess mastery of basic computer skills are encouraged to take the exam during their first year at IUP.

Procedures to be followed for taking the exemption exam:

The time, date, and location for the exam will be posted two-weeks prior to exam day. Announcements will be displayed in the Computer Science, MIS & Decision Sciences, and Technology Support & Training departments.

The standards for this exam are found in this document.

The student will go to Accounts Payable, in Clark Hall, and pay the required fee ($40) The student will be given a receipt.

The student will bring the receipt to the faculty member who will administer the exemption examination for the course.

Note: A. No grades or quality points are given for exempted courses and students

passing the exemption exam will receive the exempted credits provided

their College Dean approves the exempted credits.

B. Students who do not pass the exam will not receive a refund of the

examination fee.

C. Exams can be taken only once; if a student fails an exam, he/she must enroll

in the course.

D. The exemption exam should be offered at least twice a year. Typically the exam will be held once before classes begin in the Spring and once before classes begin in the Fall.

E. Due to the rapid rate of change in computers, this exemption exam should be updated each year by a joint committee of IFMG/COSC/BTED faculty.

There is a total of six exams. Each student must achieve a minimum of 70% on EACH exam to obtain exemption status for the 101 class.

Subject Tested	Number of Questions	Estimated time of completion
Computer Concepts	102 Multiple Choice	25 Minutes
MS Windows XP	28 Tasks	20 Minutes
MS Word 2003	59Tasks	40 Minutes
MS Excel 2003	38 Tasks	25 Minutes
MS Access 2003	20 Tasks	13 Minutes
MS PowerPoint 2003	29 Tasks	19 Minutes

Standards for exemption are as follows:

Exemption Test Module	Testing Contents - Students should be able to ...
Computer Software	· Identify differences in System Software, Application Software and an Operating System.
Computer Hardware	· Describe the different parts of the processing unit (Ex. CPU, Memory, Mother Board, System Clock, Expansion Slots and Boards, Bus Lines, Ports)). · Describe the binary system (e.g. Binary Coding Schemes, Parity Bits, Units of Measures for Capacity). · Describe the different types of input and output devices · Describe the different types of secondary storage · Describe communication hardware, such modems and shared resources such as fax machines.
Networks and the Internet	· Describe the various communication channels – twisted pair, coaxial, and fiber-optic cables; microwave relays; and satellites. · Discuss bandwidth, serial versus parallel transmission, direction of flow, modes of transmission, and protocols. · Describe the various network topologies · Explain network architecture - configuration and strategies. · Describe local area, metropolitan area, and wide area networks. · Describe search strategies for retrieving information from the Internet.
File Management and Viruses	· Define a virus and name different types of viruses · Describe how data is organized: chars., fields, records, and files.... · Describe parts of the Windows Explorer · Describe the file conventions in naming files · Copy, rename, and move files within the windows explorer
Web Pages and Web Sites	· Define general web page terminology: html, protocol, etc.
General Computer Knowledge	· History of Computer Development · Types of computer systems · Types of information systems · Examples of Personal Use Application Software

Score a minimum of 70 percent on a hands-on skills test that evaluates the student's competence in the following Office software packages.

Exemption Test Module

Testing Contents - Students should be able to ...

Word 2003

· Create, edit, save, retrieve, and print a document.

· Create automatic page numbering, automatic headers/footers, a footnote, and a simple table.

· Insert textual files, graphics, or other objects into an existing document.

· Change margins, text alignment, line spacing, tabs, and indents of existing text passages.

· Change the typeface and emphasis (underscore, italics, and boldface) of existing text.

· Correct all language mechanics errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage) in an existing document with the aid of (i) a spell checker, (ii) a grammar checker, and (iii) an online thesaurus.

· Insert hyperlinks and embedded objects

· Use the Research Taskpane

· Use the Reading Layout View

· Find and Replace text

· Use Smart Tags

Excel 2003

· Create, save, and print a spreadsheet.

· Copy and move data.

· Calculate with formulae and simple functions.

· Sort data.

· Create, save, retrieve, and print a graph or chart from data.

· Integrate a spreadsheet into word.

· Use the fill series command.

· Select records from a list and calculate statistics for a selected group of records.

Access 2003

minutes)

· Create a database table.

· Create a database form.

· Query a database.

· Create a report.

Power Point 2003

· Create, edit, and run a presentation slide show.

· Incorporate clip art, formatting, and animation into the presentation.

Windows XP

· Manage the Desktop environment

· Organize files, Simple editing, Print Management