Computer Competency Exam

What is the Computer Competency Exam?

The Computer Competency Exam is an online test of your ability to perform specific tasks using Microsoft Excel and Access. A complete list of all tasks that you may be asked to perform is available.

Registration Notices:

  1. Registration seating is limited to the number of seats for each exam time slot
  2. Walk-in seating will only be available after those who have registered have been accommodated.
  3. All students registered or not, must check in at the exam site no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam starting time.
  4. All currently enrolled students must bring their UH Hilo photo ID. All newly accepted students must bring their acceptance letter and a photo ID.
  5. You must have an active UHHL account to take the exam. You may sign up for an account at the UH Hilo Library.

Who takes the exam?

You should take the exam if you:

  • have been accepted and intend to enroll in Business courses at UH Hilo
  • have taken coursework in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access (UH Hilo's CS 101 covers these topics.)
  • have reviewed the list of tasks that are included on the exam and are confident of your ability to perform them

You must pass the exam before you will be able to register for any 300 or 400 level business courses, or take QBA 260.

Who does not take the exam?

Do not take the exam if you do not intend to take courses in Business Administration at UH Hilo.

What is the purpose of the exam?

The exam is the College's way of ensuring that you have developed the necessary levels of skill in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access to benefit fully from the business courses you will take that will make use of this software. The courses that require you to have passed this exam are QBA 260 and all upper-division (300 and 400) business courses.

Software licenses for the exam

You must visit the UH Hilo bookstore or an online bookstore and purchase a license in order to take the Computer Competency Exam. If you purchase your software online, be sure that it is new and not a used copy. You will not be able to register a used copy under your name, which you must do to take the exam.

  • SAM 2003 Assessment and Training version 3.1 (ISBN: 1-4239-1260-8)—this software includes unlimited access to tutorials and practice exams and may be used to take the exam three times, should you fail on the first attempts. You will need to use the Institution Code, S3965766, to install the SAM Assessment and Training software on your home computer. When you install the software at home, it will ask you to create an account. Be sure to include your UHH student ID when you set up the account. You must log in under that account name in the computer lab to take the exam.

What happens on the day of the exam?

  1. You must bring your software license, registration email confirmation, photo ID, and proof of UH ID number or Social Security number to the exam.
  2. You will be given access to a computer with all required software, and allowed 90 minutes to complete a series of specific tasks using Microsoft Excel and Access.
  3. Each task will be presented to you in random order. You will be allowed three tries on each task, using any combination of menu commands and keyboard shortcuts to accomplish the task. After the third incorrect try, the test will move to the next task and will not present the failed task again.
  4. You may skip tasks and return to them later.
  5. Your score will be provided to you immediately upon completion of the exam.

What tasks may be included on the exam?

See the CoBE Computer Competency Test Task List.

Who can I call if I have questions about the exam?

You may discuss the exam with your advisor, or call Dr. Kim Furumo, Computer Competency Exam Coordinator, at (808) 974-7672 for questions about the exam and/or special arrangements.

Note: If you will need disability accommodations to take the exam, you must contact the Exam Coordinator at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled exam.

What are the exam dates, time, and locations?

Students may register for any of the available exams listed below. Seating will be managed automatically. As soon as the maximum number of registration forms is received for any time slot, registration stops for that time slot.

Students must print their e-mail confirmation and bring it to the College of Business and Economics Computer Laboratory (K-271) at the appointed day and time. Your e-mail confirmation is your ticket to enter the classroom. If you do not bring your e-mail confirmation, you will have to show a photo ID to the exam proctor and wait to have your name checked off the master registration list.

Students unable to register can come to the exam site. They will be allowed to take the exam after registered students are seated on a space available basis only.

Upcoming Exams

The exam is 90 minutes long.

Date Starts At Location Open Seats Special Notes
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 9:15am CoBE Computer Lab 8  
Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 1:30pm CoBE Conference Room -1  
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 9:30am CoBE Conference Room 0  
Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 1:30pm CoBE Conference Room 0  
Friday, Nov 20, 2009 11:30am CoBE Conference Room 0  
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 9:15am CoBE Computer Lab 4  

Complete the online registration form to sign up for an exam. The URL for the registration form is http://business.uhh.hawaii.edu/cce/register.php

How and when may I get my results?

Your results will be provided automatically at the end of the exam, and reported electronically to the College at the same time.