North Carolina Tests of Computer Skills Student Handbook
(For Students Who Entered Grade 8 From 2000–2001 and Beyond), Published March 2001
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Information in both student handbooks, including sample test items, electronic files, etc. must not be used for personal or financial gain. North Carolina LEA/school officials, teachers, parents, and students may download and duplicate the handbooks and electronic files for instructional and educational purposes only. Others may not duplicate the handbooks without prior written permission from the NCDPI Division of Accountability Services/Testing Section.
CONTENTS:• Introduction
• Questions About the Computer Skills Requirement
• Contents of the Computer Skills Test
• How to Take the Computer Skills Test
• Test-Taking Strategies
• Multiple-Choice On-line Interactive Sample Test Questions
• Performance On-line Interactive Sample Test Questions & Files
• Answers and Notes for Sample Multiple-Choice Items
• Answers and Notes for Sample Performance Items
• Rubrics for Scoring Sample Performance Items
Competencies required of citizens in an "Information Age" have been the topic of all recent, major education initiatives, political campaigns, and presentations in the mass media. Although different groups use slightly different terms to describe them, there is general agreement that competencies for the workplace of the twenty-first century are different from those required as we emerge from the industrial era. As prediction after prediction for the twenty-first century has been made, the role of technology—specifically of computer systems—remains a primary focus.
In May 1991, the North Carolina State Board of Education, as part of the Quality Assurance Program, established a computer proficiency requirement for graduation that was to begin with the class of 2000. In October 1995, the Board modified the requirement by making it effective beginning with the graduating class of 2001. Students who were in the eighth grade during the 1996-97 school year and thereafter must meet the computer proficiency requirement in order to receive a high school diploma.
For students who entered grade 8 from the 2000-2001 school year and beyond, the requirement is based on the 1998 computer skills curriculum as defined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The goal of a computer skills requirement is to foster skill development so that students have sufficient computer skills for use in high school, at home, and in the workplace.
The computer skills curriculum has three major goals. The first goal is for students to understand the important issues of a technology-based society and to exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer technology. Second, students must demonstrate knowledge and skills in using computer technology. Finally, students should be able to use a variety of computer technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
The computer skills curriculum should be introduced collaboratively by classroom teachers, media coordinators, and computer resource teachers. The results of a carefully planned computer skills program will be students who are problem solvers, information seekers and users, and effective communicators. These students will be prepared for a technology-filled twenty-first century.
This handbook has been prepared as a resource for students, parents, and teachers to provide information about the computer skills proficiency requirement for graduation and its implications for students who entered grade 8 from the 2000-2001 school year and beyond. In addition, this handbook provides information on what the tests are like, sample questions that measure the computer skills curriculum, and some test taking strategies. The information contained within this document should assist students in acquiring a better understanding of the computer skills proficiency requirement as one standard students must meet to receive a North Carolina high school diploma.
* The North Carolina Computer Skills Tests are not administered to students with disabilities who are following the Occupational Course of Study. This course of study requires that students with disabilities show computer proficiency as specified in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Questions About the Computer Skills Requirement
Q: What is the computer skills requirement?
A: Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the skills and competencies of the K–8 computer skills curriculum for a high school diploma. This requirement is met by passing the North Carolina Tests of Computer Skills. If you entered the eighth grade in the 2000–2001 school year and beyond, the computer skills tests will measure the goals and objectives of the 1998 computer skills curriculum as defined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
Q: Who has to take the tests?
A: Students who entered the eighth grade during the 1996–97 school year and thereafter must demonstrate computer proficiency as a graduation requirement.
Q: How, when, and where will I take the computer skills tests?
A: You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate computer skills proficiency beginning at grade eight. A guidance counselor or teacher will tell you about the test schedule. Your tests will be given at your school and will not cost money.
Q: How do I complete the computer proficiency requirement?
A: The requirement is met by passing the computer skills tests independently of each other. Each student must take and pass a multiple-choice test and a performance test. The performance test requires students to demonstrate the use of a computer.
Q: How will I know if I have passed the tests?
A: Your guidance counselor or teacher will tell you if you pass. You will receive an individual student report with your test scores. Each student must receive a score of 47 or higher on the multiple-choice test and a score of 49 or higher on the performance test.
Q: What happens if I fail the multiple-choice test by one point?
A: The multiple-choice answer sheets are scored by your local school district. If a student fails the multiple-choice test by one point, the school system hand checks the answer sheet. Once you receive the test score, the school system stores the answer sheet in a secure locked location for six months. At the end of six months, the answer sheet is destroyed or recycled. You must take the multiple-choice test again if you do not pass.
Q: What happens if I fail the performance test by one point?
A: A contractor is used to score the performance test. Two independent readers score each performance test. If a student fails the performance test by one point, a third person scores the test. You must take the performance test again if you do not pass.
Q: May I take both tests on the same day?
A: It is not recommended that both tests be given on the same day. The multiple-choice test takes about 90 minutes to complete; the performance test takes about 100 minutes to complete.
Q: Why do we have a computer skills requirement?
A: We want to ensure that each student has sufficient computer skills to use at school and for personal use.
Q: What if I don’t pass the tests in the eighth grade?
A: You will be given at least one opportunity each year to take the test or tests that you do not pass. Your school will provide you with the opportunity to receive extra help to develop your computer skills.
Q: What if I pass one test but not the other?
A: You will need to re-take only the test that you did not pass.
Q: Will the same test be given every session?
A: No. Different forms of the tests will be given. The objectives measured and the difficulty levels of the different forms will be the same.
Q: What type of computer may I use to take the performance test?
A: You will use the equipment in your school. With appropriate software, the test diskettes will work with Macintosh, DOS, or Windows-based microcomputers.
Q: How can I prepare for the tests?
A: Take the sample test in this handbook and check your answers. Contact your guidance counselor or teacher if you have questions.
Q: Are there other testing requirements for graduation?
A: Yes. Each student must meet the competency standard in reading and mathematics.1 In addition, you must meet other state and local requirements. Check with your school guidance counselor when planning your high school courses to find out what the local and state graduation requirements are. (1 The first opportunity to meet this requirement is at the eighth grade. Contact your guidance counselor for more information.)
Q: If I am a student who speaks English as a second language, may I receive extra time to take the test?
A: Students who speak English as a second language may be able to have accommodations, including extra time. The accommodation must be used routinely during instruction and similar classroom tests. Your school counselor can provide you with more information about accommodations.
Q: If I am a student receiving special services, may I receive extra time to take the test?
A: Students with disabilities may be able to have accommodations, including extra time. The accommodation must be used routinely during instruction and similar classroom tests. Your Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Written Accommodation Plan will note which accommodations you will be able to use when taking the computer skills tests.
Q: If I have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), is there another way that I can meet the computer skills proficiency requirement?
A: Some students with disabilities may show computer proficiency with the state portfolio accommodation instead of taking the computer skills test(s) if stated in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The student’s IEP team decides if the portfolio is appropriate when the student begins the eighth grade. Students may use the computer skills portfolio accommodation if they cannot take the tests or portions of the tests (a) under standard conditions or (b) with accommodations. The decision must be made at the beginning of grade eight, and the student must begin the portfolio by the end of the first semester of grade eight. When the portfolio is scored “at standard,” the computer skills proficiency requirement for graduation is met.
Students with disabilities who are following the Occupational Course of Study show computer proficiency as specified in their IEPs.
Q: What happens if I am a special services student and my parents/guardians give written permission for me not to take the computer skills tests?
A: Unless you are a student with a disability who is following the Occupational Course of Study, you will not receive a diploma until you (a) take and pass the computer skills tests and (b) meet all other state and local graduation requirements.
Contents of the Computer Skills Test
There are two computer skills tests, a multiple-choice test and a performance test. The multiple-choice test takes about 90 minutes to complete; the performance test takes about 100 minutes to complete. To meet the graduation requirements, you must pass both tests.
The Multiple-Choice Test
The North Carolina Test of Computer Skills—Multiple-Choice will be given the way other multiple-choice tests are given (such as reading or mathematics). Students will use an answer sheet that will be machine scored. There will be 70 questions on the test. The test is based on the following:
: Societal issues (that is, Ethics, Society Impact, Terms/Operations/Care)
: Databases
: Spreadsheet
: Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desktop Publishing
: Multimedia Presentation
: Telecommunications
The Performance Test
The North Carolina Test of Computer Skills—Performance requires students to solve problems using software and a computer. Desktop publishing, database, and spreadsheet skills are assessed on the performance test. Each section is timed.
During the desktop publishing part of the test, you will retrieve a file and use keyboarding, editing, and formatting (for example, insert text, align text, cut and paste, spell check, change font size, use bold and italics) skills.
You will use a prepared database to answer questions. In some cases, you will need to describe how you found an answer. You should be able to use a database to sort information, search for information using one or two criteria, and add a field and records to another database.
You will use a prepared spreadsheet to answer questions. You should be able to use a spreadsheet to answer “What if” questions. You will need to label a new column and add records. You will also make a chart (graph).
How to Take the Computer Skills Test
Before the Tests: Practice Test
The best way to prepare for these tests is to pay attention in class and learn all you can about how to use a computer. In addition, you should learn all that you can about the tests before you take them. Careful reading of this handbook will provide you with information about the tests. You can become familiar with the types of test questions by trying the sample questions in this handbook. Plan ahead so that you will feel prepared.
Be sure that you are familiar with the computer, operating system, and software that you will use to take the performance part of the test. Software used for the test includes ClarisWorks, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Office. Ask your teacher or guidance counselor about the software and computer that you will be using.
• Read this handbook.
• Do the sample items.
• Ask your teacher or counselor questions about parts you don't understand.
Preparation for testing is a mental and physical activity. Along with becoming familiar with the skills measured by the tests, you should try to feel your best. To be alert and energetic at test time, you should get a good night's rest and eat a good, typical breakfast on the day of the test.
Before the Tests: Preparation
Plan ahead so that you will feel comfortable when you take your tests. Remember to bring your materials.
• Be prepared so you don't have to rush.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Bring two No. 2 pencils.
• Ask your teacher or guidance counselor about other materials that you should bring.
During the Tests:
The person giving the tests (test administrator) will try to make the testing situation comfortable and free of distraction.
• Concentrate on the tests. Do not allow yourself to be distracted. For example, do not let noises bother you.
• Do the best that you can on your tests.
• You should try to answer each question.
• Schedule your time, follow directions, and use good test-taking strategies.
During the Tests: Scheduling Your Time
• Arrive on time so that you will be able to get organized before each test.
• Make sure that you understand the time restrictions for your tests.
• Keep working until you have finished the test. Some students may finish before you do.
• Avoid unnecessary clock-watching. It breaks concentration and causes anxiety.
• If you finish before others, check your work.
During the Tests: Following Directions
• Pay close attention to the sample exercises. These exercises are to help you understand what the items will be like. You will also learn how to mark your answers on the answer sheet.
• For multiple-choice questions, mark only within the answer circle.
• Erase all changed answers carefully. For multiple-choice questions, if the circle disappears, do not redraw it. Redrawn circles may be scored as your answer.
• Erase all stray answers on your answer sheet. Stray marks may cause answers to be scored incorrectly.
General Strategies
• Follow all directions.
• Read the whole question. Think about what the question asks before choosing your answer.
• Try to answer every question before turning in your test booklet and answer sheet.
• Don't spend too much time on any one question. Answer the easier questions first but be sure to note the questions you skip.
• Come back to difficult questions. Try to eliminate some of the choices. Choose the best answer.
• When you mark the multiple-choice answer sheet, make sure that the number on the answer sheet matches the number of the question you are answering.
• Check your answers for mistakes.
• Go back and recheck your answers if you finish before the testing session ends.
Electronic Files To Take Sample Questions
Electronic files to use when answering performance sample items:
Interactive Sample Questions
Online interactive version of the