You must present a valid photo ID and know your student ID # to take any test!

Remember

• All exams are stopped and collected 15 minutes prior to closing.
• Only authorized test materials are allowed in the testing rooms.
• ALL personal items, including cell phones, purses, wallets, keys, papers, bookbags, etc. will be secured in a locker or stored at the Testing Administration Counter while a student is testing.

This exam is required only as an admissions requisite for all Nursing programs. As of Fall 2007 it is no longer a requirement for graduating NOVA students. You must allow two hours for this exam.

Where do I take the exam?

Please call the NOVA Testing Centers to see if the exam is being administered at their campuses.

Alexandria	Annandale	Loudon	Manassas	Medical	Woodbridge
703.845.6035	703.323.3149	703.450.2508	703.257.6645	703.822.6654	703.878.5787

Does the test take the place of a computer usage course?

No, it is not an ABLE exam and cannot be used in the place of a required course to fulfill program requirements because the test measures only minimum levels of competency. It is only used for Nursing programs admissions.

The test is a hands-on computerized test, covering Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and the Internet (including email).  The test includes both objective questions and simulated exercises.  The questions / tasks are not evenly distributed among the packages covered.  More emphasis has been placed on Windows and Word because they are the most used elements. Students will be asked to perform tasks that may include, but is not limited to following:

Windows:

• Start a program (using the START | Programs menu)
• Delete a file (using Windows Explorer)
• Rename a file (using Windows Explorer)
• Copy a folder (using Windows Explorer)

Word:

• Put selected text in boldface
• Change the margins for a document
• Print a document
• Add bullets to an existing list
• Copy selected text from one location to another

Excel:

• Add dollar signs to selected cells
• Add a formula to sum a range of cells
• Delete the contents of a cell
• Cut selected cells and paste them in a new location

Access:

• Add a new record to a table
• Specify the primary key for a table
• Open and print an existing report

PowerPoint:

• Add a design theme to a slide
• Delete selected text from a slide
• Add a graphic to a slide

Internet/email:

• Go to a given web address
• Add a URL to a favorites list
• Find URLs about a given topic using a search engine
• Distinguish between a web address and an email address

What is the passing score?

43 out of 84 questions (or 51%) must be answered correctly to pass.

The test may be re-taken every 30 days.

Scores are valid for 7 years.

There is no fee for the test.

It is important for you to keep the score printout you receive from Testing Center.  However, the SkillCheck score will be part of your student record for your Academic Advisor to access when verifying your qualifications for Nursing programs admissions.

The following materials and more, are available at most of the NOVA libraries.

Crumlish, Christian. The Internet for Busy People.
TK5105.875 I57 C794 1997

Freeze, Jill T. Sam's Teach Yourself Computer Basics in 24 Hours.
QA76.5 .F693 2000

Gralla, Preston. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cool Ways to Communicate Online.
TK5105.875 I57 G7239x 2000

Kraynak, Joe. Complete Idiot's guide to Computer Basics.
QA76.5 .K7442x 2000

McBride, Peter. Windows 98 Clear and Simple.
QA76.76 O63 M3745 1998 c.3

Morel, Deborah. Getting Started with Computers.
QA76.5 .M643 1999

Norton, Peter. Introduction to Computers.
QA76.5 .N6818 2001

Walters, E. Garrison. The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology.
QA76.5 W287 2001

Weverka, Peter. Office 2000 for Busy People.
HF 5548.4 M525 W484x 1999

Wray, Paul. Computer Literacy with Microsoft Office 2000.
HF5548.4 .M525 W73x 2000

Credit Test-Out Options for ITE 100

ITE 100 (formerly IST 100): To receive credit for the ITE 100 course, register for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam for Information Systems & Computer Application. The exam is 90 minutes and is given through the Alexandria Campus Community Education Office. Registration and fees are handled in Room 213, Engineering Bldg., prior to taking the exam. You should arrive by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays or 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays to register for this exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive three (3) college credits for ITE 100. This course is a prerequisite for many of the higher level ITE courses. PLEASE NOTE: The ITE 100 course does not fulfill the NOVA computer competency requirement for graduation. For more information on this exam and how to register, please call 703.845.6240 or see one of the following web sites:

www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/community/clep.htm
www.collegeboard.com/clep