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Should I take the test? Because CIS 100 covers a number of topics, so does the exemption test. Indeed, the exemption test is intended to be a surrogate for the CIS 100 course itself, although easier. Here's how to tell if you should take the test: You are reasonably skilled with a word-processing application: either MicroSoft WORD or Corel WordPerfect. You are reasonably skilled with a spreadsheet application: either MicroSoft Excel or Lotus 123. This includes working with formulas (where the value of one cell is computed using the values in other cells). This is a required element of the test; you can't pass without it. You are fairly familiar with computer concepts, terminology, and issues. You know roughly how a computer works; you know the difference between disk and RAM; you know the difference between megabytes and megahertz; you know what encryption is, and why digital is better than analog. Many students mistakenly take the exemption test, believing that since they are pretty good with MicroSoft WORD (the first bullet), they can pass the exemption test. They usually fail, which no one enjoys. We don't like failing students; we would much rather everyone who took the exemption test passed it. If you're still not sure whether you should take the test, you might borrow a copy of the latest CIS 100 textbook, and read through it. Someone who is currently taking the class would surely lend it to you for an hour or a night. Quiz yourself with some of the questions at the end of each chapter. If you can get half of them right, you're in fine shape for the test. You should also make sure you know how to use a spreadsheet program, such as Lotus 123 or MS Excel. There is no way to pass the test without being able to do a simple formula using one of those two programs, so do yourself a favor and make sure you can. What's on the test? Briefly, the test covers the three topics mentioned above: concepts, word-processing and spreadsheets. The exemption test has two parts: the multiple-choice part and the hands-on application part. The first part consists of a number of multiple-choice questions and you will do them first. The multiple-choice portion is done using an online system available via a web browser. You have half an hour to select your answer to each of the fifty questions, and, when you are done, you submit your answers. These are graded by computer, almost instantly, and the results returned to you. If you pass, you can go on to the second half of the test. The hands-on part has a word-processing task and a spreadsheet task. You will be given a diskette along with the directions for the two tasks. Note: part of the test is to check that you can successfully save your work to the diskette, not to the hard drive. If you do every last thing correctly, but you save to the hard drive rather than to the diskette, you will fail. Please keep that in mind; it's very important. You have an hour to complete both tasks. How long is the test? You have half an hour for the multiple-choice part, and an hour for the application part. It usually takes a little time for students to get settled and so forth, so you should allow two hours for the whole process. Note that the test is timed, which means that if you know all about using the software but it takes you a long time, you won't pass. You have to be skilled and reasonably quick. (Not that quick: any skilled person can do the application tasks in about five minutes, so you have a lot of extra time; still, some students run out of time.) What's Passing? You have to get a miminum of half the points on any of the three parts (concepts, word-processing and spreadsheets), and at least sixty percent of the points overall. Thus, a very good score on the word-processing portion can bring up low scores on the other portions, but you cannot bomb any portion and still pass. When is it given? It is given each semester during preregistration. That way, you can determine whether you need to sign up for CIS 100 for the following semester. Furthermore, the test is administered during Freshman Week for first-year students, so that they can decide whether to take it in their first semester. In spring of 1999, it will be given on April 9th, 12th and 13th. The times are still to be decided. Check in the department the week of April 5th. How do I sign up? Come to the Computer Science department office a week or so before preregistration and talk to the department administrative assistant. As soon as rooms and times can be reserved, there will be sign-up sheets. What if I fail? Then you have to take the class (either at Spelman or at some other institution, with approval of the chairperson of Computer Science). You may not take and re-take the test until you pass. You get one try; that's it. Therefore, if you really want to pass the exemption test, we recommend getting a textbook and studying a bit before the test. Also, we recommend practicing with the software, so that you are familiar with it. Next Testing dates for Fall '2002 Wednesday, August 21st from 12:30pm to 3:00pm (20 students) Thursday, August 22nd from 1:30pm to 4:30pm (20 students) Thursday, August 29th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm (20 students) ****** Sign up quickly *****Room 326 Science Bldg ***** Space is Limited