How to Prepare and Study for a College-Level Computer Proficiency Exam

**Note: the following tips, suggestions and advice come from the writer's personal experience as a college senior, having taken a Computer Proficiency exam. - These days, it's near impossible to make it through any college degree without being required to take at least one computer course. In fact, the vast majority of college freshman typically sign up for an entry-level Computer Science course within their first semester of college. However, students often have the option of testing out of this basic course simply by taking and passing a Computer Proficiency exam. This exam is designed test your computer skills in the areas of Internet usage and terminology, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and any other basic programs your university deems necessary. If this exam lies in your college future, here are a few pieces of advice gleaned from personal experience to help you know how to prep for such a test.

1. Spend a Week or Two Learning and Exploring Various Standard Computer Programs and their Features

Long before your testing date, begin familiarizing yourself with a few basic Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You will likely be asked several multiple choice questions about the features of these programs. However, you will also be expected to demonstrate your knowledge of how these programs operate. A portion of the exam will include interactive activities, in which you will have to perform a specific function within a specific program. Here are a few of the concepts you will likely need to review in order to do well on this portion of the exam:

• How to create, save and edit documents in Microsoft Word

• How to add visual charts, diagrams and photos to a Word document

• How to create and edit tables in Microsoft Word

• How to manually create formulas for simple mathematical equations in Microsoft Excel

• How to use functions within Excel to solve these mathematical equations

• How to create an Excel spreadsheet or chart to represent specific data

• How to format cell content in Microsoft Excel

• How to manage files, folders and documents in a Windows-based computer

• How to create and edit a slideshow presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint

• How to manipulate text, graphics and images on a blank slide in PowerPoint

Although the test is likely to include several questions pertaining to Internet usage, the aforementioned concepts will undoubtedly constitute the bulk of the exam.

2. Seek the Advice and/or Tutoring of a Computer Professor or Computer-Savvy Friend or Family Member

Although I personally recommend requesting a tutor session with a computer professor, many students have friends and/or family members who may be just as capable and computer knowledgeable. Whatever the case may be, it is generally a good idea to ask this individual any questions you may have concerning a specific program(s). Doing this beforehand will serve to better prepare you for the unknowns of the exam material.

3. Visit your Campus or City Library and Check Out a Microsoft Windows Computer Manual and/or "Microsoft Windows for Dummies" Book

If you find yourself completely unfamiliar with one or more Microsoft programs, these self-help books can be extremely beneficial. They will packed with how-to guides, terminology and plenty of visual aids and diagrams, all designed to help you learn and operate specific Microsoft Windows-based programs.

One of the most well-known and respected technical reference book series in the world is put out by the group For Dummies. No matter what Microsoft program you wish to learn how to use, For Dummies has a book dedicated solely to that program. Visit their web site www.fordummies.com to learn more. Their reference books are available at libraries and bookstores nationwide.

So before you start panicking about your college-level Computer Proficiency exam, take a deep breath and remember these three tips. You mind wind up being more prepared than you would've ever imagined!