Business Computer Information Systems, 1B Examination for Acceleration/Credit by Exam This can help you prepare for the exam by giving you an idea of what you need to study, review, and learn. To succeed, you should be thoroughly familiar with the subject matter before you attempt to take the exam. Every question that appears on the is grounded in the knowledge and skills statements and student expectations within the state-mandated standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). It should be noted that the exam will not test every student expectation. However, it is important that students study and know the entire scope of the TEKS so that they can develop a complete understanding of the content. The s are global exams grounded in the TEKS and are not designed to be a final exam for the University of Texas high school courses. You can view the TEKS for this exam online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/. Since questions are not taken from any one source, you can prepare by reviewing any of the state-adopted textbooks. About the Exam The consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and two performance-based questions. You will be allowed 3 hours to take the exam. You will need access to a computer with Microsoft Office Professional including Microsoft Word, Access, and PowerPoint, access to the Internet, CD-Recordable capabilities (CD-RW), and a printer. You will need to bring a blank CD-RW to the exam. Students should check in advance with local schools or testing sites to find out what types of computers, Internet access, and software are available. Required Software In order to take the Business Computer Information Systems 1 (BCIS 1A and BCIS 1B) exams, the student must have access to appropriate software: BCIS 1, First Semester (BCIS 1A) Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. BCIS 1, Second Semester (BCIS 1B) Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. 1
Students must take the BCIS 1A and 1B exams using Microsoft Office Professional, and must check with local schools or testing sites in advance to find if the required software programs, Internet access, the ability to download and save items to the desktop and software are available. Concepts and Objectives The bulleted lists and sample questions below may not refer to all the material that will be on the exam. This list only provides additional information for some of the student expectations tested in the Business Computer Information Systems 1, Second Semester. Ultimately, you should use the TEKS to guide your exam preparation. Technology and Business Needs Identify and explain the functions of various types of technology, hardware, and software used in business. Explore functions of emerging technologies. List available hardware and software most appropriate for specific tasks. Business Presentations Navigate PowerPoint views and slide shows. Manage files and folders. Preview and print presentation components. Create a presentation using the auto content Wizard, using a design template, from a blank presentation, and by importing text from Word. Insert, edit, and modify text. Manipulate slides. Create hyperlinks. Insert and modify ClipArt and images. Create and customize a table. Create and customize a chart. Manage slide masters. Animate different elements within a presentation. Set up and deliver a presentation. Print out audience handouts based on a presentation. Business Databases Start Access and explore the Database window. Navigate records in a datasheet. Enter, edit, and delete records in a table. Enter, edit, and delete records in a form. Create a database. Create, modify, and print tables. Be able to import data from a word processing table or spreadsheet into a database table. Create, modify, and print queries. 2
Modify table design. Create an input mask. Sort records in a datasheet. Search for data in a datasheet. Filter records in a datasheet. Create and modify select queries. Create special queries using Wizards. Format a table. Create, modify, and print simple forms. Create, modify, and print business reports. Modify forms and reports in design view. BCI 1B 08287 Operating Systems, Utilities, and Networks Identify the various types of computer systems; Identify hardware components; Understand operating systems; Work with utility programs; Understand application software; Understand the basics of telecommunications and Internet services; Increase productivity by using a network; Understand the components of a network; Identify the major types of hardware and software used in business; Identify and describe the main components of the telecommunications industry; Understand the ethics and etiquette of telecommunications; Evaluate various telecommunications services and providers; Understand the basics of computer networking and operating systems; and Understand the basics of and the industry standards for desktop publishing. 3
Sample Questions These sample questions will give you a better idea of the types of questions you can expect on the. These are provided to illustrate the format of the exam. They are not the actual exam. In order to be successful on the exam, you must study the TEKS and all of the concepts previously listed. Part 1: Multiple-Choice Questions This part of the exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions that are worth one point each. Use your computer-graded answer sheet to mark the letter bubble of the correct response to each of the questions. 1. You have just created a report and have many statistics included. What visual tool could you use to better illustrate your point? A. Charts B. ClipArt C. Publisher D. Slide Show 2. Josie works in a print advertising department of a large company and prepares large graphic files for advertising brochures and magazine ads. Her company would like to buy her a new personal computer system to help her perform her work more quickly and efficiently. All of the following should be considered for Josie s computer except A. CPU. B. ALU. C. RAM. D. secondary storage. 3. Carol wants to purchase birthday cards for her friends who have birthdays in June. Which query is most efficient for searching her database to find all the June birthdays? A. Friends = birthday B. Dates = June C. Birthday = June D. Jones = June birthdays 4
Item Correct TEKS Explanation Number Answer expectation 1 A 8(A) This question measures the ability to identify various types of software for a task. A chart is a type of graphic that visually presents numerical data. 2 B 2(A), (C), 6(C) This question measures the ability to list available hardware for a specific task. ALU is an invalid answer. When working with graphics, CPU, RAM, hard drive, secondary storage, monitor, and printer must all be researched. 3 C 5(B), 5(B)(iii) This question measures the ability to perform a management process by creating a search. When creating a search or query, you must specify the parameters. Part 2: Performance-Based Questions This part of the exam contains two performance-based questions that are worth 25 points each. You will need to use Microsoft Word for Project 1 and Microsoft Excel for Project 2. Follow the instructions for each project, which you will complete on a computer. For the purposes of this exam, time and resources are restricted, so you may create fictitious data that pertains to the topic. When you are finished, save each file as follows: exam name_project name_your 9-digit number_your last name.doc Example: BCIS1B_Project1B_991113194_doe.doc Print a hard copy of each file and attach to this exam. Burn an electronic copy of each file to CD and submit with this exam. Both the hard copy and electronic copy will be used for grading. Be sure to write your name and 9-digit Student Number on the CD in permanent marker. The exam administrator will allow extra time if there are hardware difficulties. 5
Possible Database Projects 1. Your high school basketball team s coach has created a database containing information on the National Basketball Association s top 15 individual leaders based on Points Per Game or if they played in 85% of Team Games. The coach is researching the players to see if there are any relationships that may exist, such as Points Per Game and weight of player. You will be provided a database file that is complete with the top 15 players. Using your database skills, you will create a form, a query, and two reports. You should be able to import a spreadsheet, filter data, add new fields to a table, create queries, and create and print out reports based on those queries. 2. You are starting a new landscaping company and must send many mail-outs to potential customers in different cities. You have purchased a mailing list; however, it is not in database form. You must create a database and enter the data that was mailed to you. You should be able to import a spreadsheet, filter data, add new fields to a table, create queries, and create and print out reports based on those queries. 3. Your friend owns a sporting goods store. He has asked you to create a database to track all of the items he carries in his store based on a spreadsheet of the items he has provided for you. He has also told you that all of the baseball equipment is currently on back order. Create a new database for him using the data he has provided. You have also realized your friend needs to be able to keep track of items that regularly go on back order (all baseball equipment). You should be able to import a spreadsheet, filter data, add new fields to a table, create queries, and create and print out reports based on those queries. 4. You have just been hired as a sales representative for a shoe company. The person you are replacing did not have an electronic filing system for the prospective customers; however, she did leave a spreadsheet for you to work with. You should be able to import a spreadsheet, filter data, add new fields to a table, create queries, and create and print out reports based on those queries. 5. You are the payroll clerk for a retail store. You have all of the employee information in a database where you can keep track of personal information, hourly wages and any notes about schedules. The store manager decided to create an employee recognition program and has asked you to produce several reports to facilitate this new program. He needs one report that lists all employees and their birthdays in ascending order, and one report that lists only employees who have worked at the store for three or more years. You should be able to filter and sort data, add new fields to a table, create queries, and create and print out reports based on those queries. 6
Possible Presentation Projects 1. Fifth-grade student Alicia must create a brief slide show presentation outlining the three branches of the U. S. Government for class. She would like the presentation to consist of one introductory slide and one slide on each of the three branches of government. She would like to have each slide in the presentation advance manually. Alicia has provided a text file and graphics files for the four slides. Using the files provided, create a presentation to her specifications. You should be able to insert, format and animate graphics, manipulate text and be able to print out handouts. 2. You are salesperson for Wild Roosters Roller Coasters. You must create a sales presentation to market three of your new roller coaster designs to potential customers. Your presentation should consist of an introductory slide, one slide for each coaster, and a conclusion/summary slide. The available files are graphics and a text file of a brief explanation of each coaster for each graphic. Using the files provided, create a presentation. You should be able to insert, format and animate graphics, manipulate text and be able to print out handouts. 3. You are a volunteer coordinator at a local community theater. The president of the board has asked you to create a presentation that will suggest interesting ways that volunteers can get involved. Your presentation should consist of an introductory/title slide, one slide for at least three ways a volunteer could become involved and a conclusion slide that includes contact information on how to sign up. Using the files provided, create a presentation. You should be able to insert, format and animate graphics, manipulate text and be able to print out handouts. 4. As company product designer at a large candy manufacturing plant, you are responsible for all new hard candy that is introduced to the market. The CEO has come to you requesting a new lineup of ice cream-flavored hard candies that will appeal to the older market. Your presentation of the new candy should consist of an introductory/title slide, one slide for three new candies (such as chocolate peppermint), and a conclusion slide with a short summary to recap the new flavors. Using the files provided, create a presentation. You should be able to insert, format and animate graphics, manipulate text and be able to print out handouts. 5. Your younger brother, a student in 6 th grade, has asked you to help him with an assignment for his PE class. You must help him create a presentation about three summer sports. The text does not have to be detailed, just the sport name, how many people can play, equipment needed, and how a winner is determined. Your presentation should consist of an introductory/title slide, one slide for each sport, and a conclusion slide with short summary statements (bulleted lists) to recap the sports. Using the files provided, create a presentation. You should be able to insert, format and animate graphics, manipulate text and be able to print out handouts. 7
Computer-Based Exams Administration Supplement to the Proctor Manual Students taking Business Computer Information Systems exams are asked to produce two projects in addition to multiple-choice questions. Students may complete these sections in any order, but all parts of the exam must be completed within 3 hours. Hardware and Software Required Students should check in advance with local schools or testing sites to find out what types of computers, Internet access, and software are available. The testing site must provide access to a computer with the appropriate software (Microsoft Office Professional including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access). The computer must also have access to the Internet, the ability to download files from the Internet to the desktop, and be capable of burning files to a CD and printing to a printer. The student must provide a blank CD- RW for the exam. If there are any hardware difficulties, such as a printer jam, please allow time for the completion of the exam. The proctor should also provide a fine line permanent marker for the labeling of the student CD-R. Required Software In order to take the Business Computer Information Systems 1 (BCIS 1A and BCIS 1B) exams, the student must have access to appropriate software: BCIS 1, First Semester (BCIS 1A) Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. BCIS 1, Second Semester (BCIS 1B) Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Students must take the BCIS 1A and 1B exams using Microsoft Office Professional, and must check with local schools or testing sites in advance to find if the required software programs, Internet access, the ability to download and save items to the desktop and software are available. 8
Exam Procedures The exam proctor will verify that the student s work is done without assistance and that all required files have been burned to a CD-R and have been printed. Both versions, electronic and hard copy, must be submitted with the printed exam. The proctor will also state on the test which software the student used for the. The exam proctor will allow additional time for printing and for any hardware difficulties. During the exam, the proctor: must not elaborate on the projects; must not give students help completing the projects; must not give students information about how to develop their ideas; and must not allow students to use reference materials. If students ask a question about the projects, you may SAY, I can t explain it to you; just respond to the prompt in the best way you can. Before returning the exam, please make sure: the student CD has his/her name and 9-digit Assigned Number written on it in permanent marker; the student has printed both projects and they are attached to the exam; and the computer that the student has been using has been cleared of the student s work. Please move the files to the Recycle Bin or Trash and delete the files by emptying it. Proctors must not duplicate computer projects without specific authorization from the. 9