Computer Skills Test
Passing the Computer Skills Test is a graduation requirement. The test is taken in the 8th grade but students who do not pass may retake the test in high school. It is administered in the fall and spring so students have 2 opportunities each year to take the test.In the 2005-2006 school year, 8th grade students began taking the NC Online Test of Computer Skills. The test is administered over the Internet using NCDesk, a Java simulation of an integrated applications program which includes word processing, database, spreadsheet, windows management and e-mail. The test consists of 4 sections of 18 questions each for a total of 72 questions - half multiple choice and half performance.
Multiple choice questions assess the student's knowledge of concepts from all strands of the Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study:
- Societal/Ethical Issues
- Database
- Spreadsheet
- Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desktop Publishing
- Multimedia/Presentation
- Telecommunications/Internet
| Word Processing/Desktop Publishing | Database |
| Insert and delete text | Sort data in ascending or descending order |
| Format fonts, alignment, style and line-spacing | Filter data to meet specific criteria |
| Cut and paste/copy and paste | Insert a new field/record and enter data |
| Insert graphics | Delete a field/record |
| Use spell check | Edit data or modify data type |
| Spreadsheet | |
| Create formulas to perform calculations | Edit an e-mail message |
| Insert the autosum, average, maximum and minimum functions | Insert an attachment |
| Add or delete columns/rows | Windows Management |
| Enter new labels and data in columns/rows | Maximize, minimize, restore, and close windows |
| Create graphs of spreadsheet data | Copy/Cut and paste between windows |