Difference between revisions of "FOCA Exam Info"

Revision as of 20:59, 30 January 2009

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Who Needs to take the FOCA Exam

Students who started Columbia PRIOR to FALL 2005 are required to pass the FOCA Exam, or pass the Foundations for Computer Applications class (Course # 35-1100) in order to graduate.

Students who started Columbia AFTER FALL 2005 are required to pass the FIT Exam. Please contact New Student Programs and Orientation to register for FIT(312-369-8675). They are located in 618 S. Michigan Ave. If you do not pass the computer technology requirement, you will not receive your diploma!

Test Dates SPRING 2009

A Proficiency Exam enabling students to test out of the Foundations of Computer Applications class (35-1100) will be offered twice during the fall and spring semesters. During the Summer semester the exam will be only offered once. You have three hours to finish the test.

Exams are held at 1000 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL Room 142

• NEXT TEST WEDNESDAY APRIL 29th, 2009

5:30PM - 8:30 PM

• LAST TEST SATURDAY MAY 9th, 2009

10:00AM - 1:00PM

About the FOCA Test

The Exam consist of the following three modules:

• 1. Word Processing- hands on
• 2. Spreadsheets- hands on
• 3. Basic computer and internet concepts (multiple choice)

To pass the exam and waive the 35-1100 Foundations of Computer Applications requirement, a student must receive an overall score of 70% or better in each of the three sections.

If you do not pass one section you will need to just repeat testing on that one section.

You are allotted three hours to take the exam. Many students complete the exam in one hour.

You can take the test twice. If you have failed twice, you MUST take the FOCA class (35-1100).

TEST Fees

FOCA Exam Fee is $10

FOCA Training CD + two Test dates is $25 Training CD only works on older Windows computers - it does not work on the Vista operating system or on Macs.

Proficiency Exam Study Guide

The FOCA test covers the following terms, procedures, and information:

Basic Computer/Internet Terms

Bit, BIOS, Boolean operators, Bookmark, Browser, Byte, 
Chat,Computer functions, Cooke, DOS, Fields, File,
Gigabyte,GUI,HTML, Hyperlink, Icon, Internet,ISP,
Kilobyte,Linux,Memory,Modem, Multitasking, 
Operating system functions, Ports,RAM, Record,
ROM,Search engine, TCP/IP, URL, Thumbnail, WWW

Microsoft Excel

Apply cell borders and shading, Apply font styles, 
Apply number formats,Change page orientation and scaling, 
Clear cell formats, Cut, copy, paste,paste special cells, 
Edit cell content, Enter formulas in a cell, Enter text, 
Enter dates and numbers, Insert and delete rows and columns, 
Insert and delete selected cells,Locate and open an existing workbook, 
Modify alignment of cell content, Modify charts, 
Modify size of rows  and columns, Move between worksheets, 
Perform sorts, Rename a worksheet,Set Cell Formatting, 
Set page margins and centering, Set Print Options, Set print, 
and clear a print area, Set up headers and footers, 
Use AutoSum, Use chart wizard, Use functions (AVERAGE, MIN, etc),
Use references (absolute and relative) 

Microsoft Word Processing

Add bullets and numbering,Align text in paragraphs,
Apply borders and shading 
Apply character effects, Apply font formats, Insert Tables,
Create and modify headers and footers, Find and replace text, 
Highlight text in a document, Insert graphics into a document, 
Print a document, Select and change font and font size,  
Set graphics layout properties, Set margins, Set page options, 
Set spacing options, Use TABS command, 
Use Spelling and Thesaurus feature, Web Page Preview

How to Register for FOCA

Student must pay a non-refundable $10.00 fee to take the exam.

• 1. Pay the $10.00 processing fee (or $25 for the training CD + test) at the cashier’s office on the 3rd floor of the 600 South Michigan Ave. building. This must be done before registering for the exam. The Proficiency Exam code number is 702.

• 2. Important! Register for the exam by bringing your paid receipt to the Interactive Arts & Media Department at 916 S. Wabash Ave., Room 101 or calling us at 312-369-7750 to let you know you will be coming. If you do not preregister we cannot guarantee you a seat.

• 3. On the day of your exam, arrive in Room 142 at 1000 S. Wabash approximately 15 minutes before the exam is scheduled to begin. Please bring your paid receipt and your Columbia College student photo ID.

• 4. When you complete the exam, return your disk and all paper work to the proctor. You will know immediately if you have passed each section.

• 5. You will also be notified by letter, the results of your exam, approximately 2 weeks after you take the exam. If you pass the exam, a copy of this letter will also be sent to the record office and the academic advising department the next day.

Contact Information

For more information visit 916 S. Wabash, Room 101, Chicago, IL 60605 Interactive Arts and Media Department, Department Assistant Margo Dumelle : (312) 369-7750