KC Computer Competency Test

What is Computer Competency?

Computer competency is defined as the demonstrated ability to use information technology. It includes the ability to use computer applications in education and in the workplace as well as the ability to use the Internet and other information technology resources safely.

Who should take the test?

Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Arts in Teaching students at Kilgore College must demonstrate computer competency in one of two ways:
  1. Pass BCIS 1305.
  2. Achieve a score of 70 or higher on the KC Computer Competency Test. The test consists of both computer concepts and application usage.  Testing is by appointment only and the testing fee of $35 must be paid prior to scheduling a testing appointment.

Special Notice: The computer competency requirement must be completed no later than the completion of 30 semester credit hours.

Should I take the test or enroll in BCIS 1305?

  • If you are unsure about whether you should enroll in BCIS 1305 or prepare to take the KC Computer Competency Test, take the Self Assessment below on this page.
  • If you plan to take the KC Computer Competency Test but would like to review basic computer concepts and/or practice certain skills first, enroll in our free KC Computer Competency Course on Blackboard.

What kind of test is it?

The KC Computer Competency Test consists of both multiple choice questions to answer as well as computer tasks to complete.  The multiple choice questions assess basic concepts related to computer hardware, software, and the Internet.  The selected computer tasks determine whether or not the student can carry out essential computer skills related to using Microsoft Windows, web browsers, word processing software, spreadsheet software, and presentation graphics software.

Watch this video to learn how you will interact with the testing software.

Computer Competency Test

Self Assessment - Computer Competency Test

Should I enroll in BCIS1305 or take the KC Computer Competency Test?

University transfer students must either take and pass BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications or make a 70 on the KC Computer Competency Test before completing 30 semester credit hours.

You should enroll in BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications if either of the following apply:

  • You are planning to major in either Business Administration or Computer Information Systems (BCIS 1305 is required for both of these majors).
  • You do not have the knowledge and skills needed to comfortably work with a desktop computer, use the Internet, create and edit documents, use a spreadsheet, and create presentation graphics.

Still not sure whether you have the knowledge and skills needed to pass the KC Computer Competency Test?

Answer the following questions and review your results below to help you decide.

  1. Can you identify different types of computing devices?
  2. Can you describe input, output, processing, and storage devices?
  3. Can you use a keyboard and mouse, including some keyboard shortcuts and basic mouse operations?
  4. Do you understand the function of common computer ports?
  5. Can you describe the purpose and basic components of a computer network?
  6. Can you identify common threats to computer security and describe how to guard against them?
  7. Can you explain the purpose of system and application software, and provide examples of both types of software?
  8. Can you describe the Internet and the World Wide Web?
  9. Can you define cloud computing?
  10. Do you understand the purpose and parts of a URL, including the protocol and domain?
  11. Do you know how to use a web browser and common search engines?
  12. Can you send and receive email?
  13. Can you protect against spam and phishing schemes?
  14. Can you sign in and out of Microsoft Windows and shut down Windows?
  15. Can you perform basic operations with windows and dialog boxes?
  16. Can you identify files and folders and common filename extensions?
  17. Can you compare terms used to measure file size?
  18. Can you use File Explorer in Windows to open, create, rename, delete, restore, copy, and move files and folders?
  19. Can you compress files and folders, and extract compressed files?
  20. Can you use Microsoft Word to create and save documents?
  21. Can you navigate a document, and enter, select, edit, delete, copy, and move text in Word?
  22. Can you correct spelling and grammar, and use find and replace in Word?
  23. Can you change page margins, orientation, headers, footers, and page numbers in Word?
  24. Can you apply themes, and format text and paragraphs in Word?
  25. Can you insert, edit, resize, and move pictures in Word?
  26. Can you print a Word document?
  27. Can you use Microsoft Excel to create and save workbooks?
  28. Can you insert and rename worksheets in Excel?
  29. Can you enter data in Excel, including text, dates, numbers, and formulas?
  30. Can you format data in Excel?
  31. Can you edit data in Excel, including copying and pasting cells?
  32. Can you insert columns and rows, and adjust column widths and row heights in Excel?
  33. Can you scale and print Excel worksheets?
  34. Can you use Microsoft PowerPoint to create and save presentations?
  35. Can you insert slides and change slide layouts in PowerPoint?
  36. Can you enter, edit, and format text on PowerPoint slides?
  37. Can you add pictures to PowerPoint slides, and crop, resize, and move those pictures?
  38. Can you add speaker notes in PowerPoint?
  39. Can you run a PowerPoint slide show?
  40. Can you print slides and handouts in PowerPoint?

I answered the questions. How do I know what to do now?

  • If you can confidently answer “Yes” to ALL of these questions: Register to take the KC Computer Competency Test.  You’ll do great!
  • If you can confidently answer “Yes” to AT LEAST 30 of these questions: You should be able to pass the KC Computer Competency Test. You still may want to spend some time reviewing topics inside the free KC Computer Competency Course before taking the test.
  • If you CANNOT confidently answer “Yes” to at least 30 of these questions, but feel like you were close: Enroll in the free KC Computer Competency Course to review these skills before attempting the KC Computer Competency Test.
  • If you were not at all close to confidently answering “Yes” to at least 30 of these questions: Enroll in BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications.  You will learn basic computer concepts as well as important skills for using the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation graphics. These skills will be helpful to you in whatever career path you choose.
Objectives included on the Computer Competency Test

The following objectives are included in the KC Computer Competency Test:

Basic Computer Concepts (20% of exam):

  1. Identify types of computing devices
  2. Explain the difference between hardware and software
  3. Understand the purpose of essential processing hardware components
  4. Identify common input, output, and storage devices
  5. Understand the function of common computer ports
  6. Describe the purpose and basic components of a computer network
  7. Identify common threats to computer security and describe how to guard against them
  8. Understand the purpose of system software
  9. Identify common types of application software
  10. Define cloud computing

Operating System (25% of exam):

  1. Sign in and out of Windows, and shut down Windows
  2. Use the mouse and keyboard
  3. Perform basic operations with windows and dialog boxes
  4. Identify files and folders and common filename extensions
  5. Identify terms used to measure file size
  6. Use File Explorer
  7. Create folders
  8. Rename files and folders
  9. Delete files and folders, and restore deleted files and folders from the Recycle Bin
  10. Copy and move files and folders
  11. Compress files and folders, and extract compressed files

Internet (10% of exam):

  1. Identify terms used with the Internet and the World Wide Web
  2. Understand the purpose and parts of a URL
  3. Identify types of domains
  4. Use a web browser
  5. Use common search engines
  6. Send and receive email
  7. Protect against spam and phishing schemes

Word Processing (25% of exam):

  1. Create and save documents
  2. Enter, select, edit, and delete text
  3. Navigate through a document
  4. Correct spelling and grammar
  5. Use find and replace
  6. Copy and move text
  7. Change page margins and orientation
  8. Insert a header or footer, with page numbers
  9. Apply text and paragraph formatting
  10. Apply a theme to a document
  11. Insert, edit, resize, and move pictures
  12. Print a document

Spreadsheets (10% of exam):

  1. Create and save workbooks
  2. Insert and rename worksheets
  3. Enter and edit data
  4. Enter formulas using mathematical operators and the SUM function
  5. Format cells
  6. Copy and paste cells
  7. Change column widths and row heights
  8. Insert columns and rows
  9. Scale and print worksheets

Presentation Graphics (10% of exam):

  1. Create and save presentations
  2. Insert slides and change slide layouts
  3. Enter, edit, and format text
  4. Add pictures to slides
  5. Crop, resize, and move pictures on slides
  6. Enter speaker notes
  7. Run a slide show
  8. Print slides and handouts

To register for the KC Computer Competency Test, visit the KC Testing Services website.