Pleasant Valley High School

Computer Skills Competency

 

Study Guide

 

This study guide is designed to provide information about the skills tested on the six-part Computer Skills Competency Tests. 

 

Keyboarding

 

Students must be able to enter text into a program by means of a keyboard attached to a computer at a rate and error level established by the district.

 

Note:  A typing program that uses specified text, which counts time and errors, will be used.  Only teachers, staff, administrators, and competency clerks who are certified by the site principal may verify that this portion of the proficiency has been passed.

 

Due to the speed and accuracy requirement, it is strongly recommended that

students use a touch-typing method as compared to “hunt and peck typing.”

 

In a three-minute timed test, students must enter data at a rate of at least 25 WPM with six or fewer errors.

                              

Word Processing

 

Students must key and edit text using any word processing software program, which allows the use of the following commands:

 

Create a new document                            Italicize

Save and close a document                      Change font size

Open and edit an existing document           Change line spacing

Print a document                                    Change case

Page setup                                            Center horizontally

Word wrap                                            Align text in columns using tab stops

Bold                                                    Cut and paste

Underline                                              Spell check

 

Students should be familiar with formatting an Unbound Report or MLA Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spreadsheet

 

Students must key and edit text using any spreadsheet software program which allows the use of the following commands:

 

Create a new spreadsheet                                  Format alignment and fonts

Save and close a spreadsheet                                       Create headers and footers

Open an existing spreadsheet                                       Resize column widths

Print a spreadsheet                                           Enter formulas to perform calculations

Page setup (orientation, gridlines)                       Enter functions to perform calculations

Enter labels and values                                      Copy cells and formulas

Edit cell contents                                             Display formulas

Bold, underline, and italicize                               Create column, bar, line and pie charts

Format values (currency, decimal places, percentages, separators)

 

Database

 

Students must key and edit text using any relational database software program which allows the use of the following commands:

 

Create a relational database                                Sort, modify, and print records

Create, define fields, format, and save a table         Create, save and print a filter

Modify a table                                                           Create and edit relationships

Create and save a form                                      Use sub datasheets

Create and apply range queries (>, <, >=, <=)         Modify queries

Create and apply select queries (and, or)               Sort, run, and save queries

Create, select orientation, and print a report

 

Information Retrieval

 

Using a computer which has access to a CD-ROM and Internet information, students must locate resource information from a minimum of six verifiable sources (3 using a search engine and 3 from an electronic database) on three specific topics as determined by the test administrator from a pre-determined list.

 

Students should be able to use search engines to locate information on the Internet.  At the same time they should be able to use electronic databases such as Grolier’s Encyclopedia, Opposing Viewpoints or Infotrac.