FOCA Exam Info

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Who Needs to take FOCA

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, which is given on the 3rd Floor of 623 S. Wabash. Please contact the advising center to register for FIT.

If you do not pass the computer technology requirement, you will not receive your diploma!

FOCA Test Dates for Fall 2007

A Proficiency Exam enabling students to test out of the Foundations of Computer Applications class (35-1100) will be offered twice a month during the fall and spring semesters. During the Summer semester the exam is offered only occasionally.

Exams are held In Room 418 - 623 S. Wabash

• August 30, 2007 – Thursday – 5:00pm-8:00pm
• August 31, 2007 – Friday – 1:00pm- 4:00pm

• September 5, 2007 – Wednesday – 5:00pm-8:00pm
• September 8, 2007 – Saturday – 10:00am-1:00pm

• October 5, 2007 – Friday – 5:00pm-8:00pm
• October 20, 2007 – Saturday – 10:00am-1:00pm

• November 5, 2007 – Monday – 5:00pm-8:00pm
• November 10, 2007 – Saturday – 10:00am-1:00pm

• December 5, 2007 - Wednesday – 5:00pm-8:00pm
• December 8, 2007 - Saturday – 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 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

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. Stepping through the Proficiency Exam

1. Pay the $ 35.00 processing fee at the cashier’s office on the fifth floor of the Michigan building. This must be done before registering for the exam. The Proficiency Exam code number is 702.

2. Bring your paid receipt to the Academic Computing department office to register for the exam.

3. On the day of your exam, arrive in the computer lab room 407 on the 4th floor of the Wabash building 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.

5. You will 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.