CIS100
Test 1 Review
The Easy Stuff
 When
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and where is Test 1 scheduled?
Check Course Syllabus - entire class session for
day sections and latter half of class for evening
Meet in DA 304 (computer lab in Davidson Hall)
 Let
your professor know ASAP if you have
an extenuating circumstance that conflicts
 You will need at least an hour to complete it
 Bring a pen / pencil and possibly a calculator,
although latter is also on all desktop PCs
The Easy Stuff
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Is there a Study Guide?
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Is there a Sample Test?
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No - but Sample Tests will be created for future Tests
Are there Test Review Sessions?
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Yes - this presentation!
Includes overview of content, format, test-taking tips
No - but bring questions to LA session (Wed - 4pm)
Can I use Excel?
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No - but you will be able to use it on future Tests
Coverage
 Reading
and lecture material
 Technology
in Action - Chapters 1 and 2
 Exploring Office - Chapter 1
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Excel
PowerPoint
Word
Skills-Based Training, Quizzes, and Homework
 Quizzes
1 and 2 (commonly-missed questions)
 Lab Assignment 1
 Technology
in Focus Chapter 1 (Extra Credit)
Excel Basics and Essentials
 Why
use Excel?
 Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
 Be sure you have a good understanding of:
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Navigation (Ribbon and Tabs)
Entering and editing data
Working with cells, ranges, worksheets
Syntax
Calculations and order of operation (PEMDAS)
Cell references (absolute, relative, and mixed references)
 What’s
new in Excel 2010?
5
Study Tips
 Most
of these are from students who have
scored well in previous CIS100 sections
 Organize all of your study material, including
the textbooks, presentation slides, lecture
notes, study guides, any other references
 If you choose to study in a group, only study
with others who are serious about the test
 Don't study any later than the time that you
usually check for light leaks in the eyelids
Study Tips
 Create
a study plan with specific time blocks
 Find a quiet and comfortable place to study,
with good lighting and few distractions
 Start out by studying the most important info
 Make sure that you understand the material,
don't just try to memorize everything
 Don’t wait until the last day or two to study,
but rather spread the time over a few days
since you will learn more than cramming
Study Approach
 Alternate
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between Office and TiA material
Be sure to complete PowerPoint Ch 1 Homework
Now work on Excel Ch 1 (skills-based training)
Then switch to TiA - Chapter 1 slides
Next work on Word Ch 1 (skills-based training)
Switch back to TiA - Chapter 2 slides
Now work on PPT Ch 1 (skills-based training)
Look over Quizzes and Homework assignments
Review Excel Ch 1 (concepts, features, etc.) again
Don’t forget to read TiF Chapter 1 (Extra Credit)
Study Priorities
 Lectures,
in-class discussion, and your notes
 Presentation slides available in Blackboard
 Quizzes 1 and 2 as well as Lab 1 responses
 Chapter Quizzes and Homework in MyITLab
 Supplemental Excel materials (links, videos)
 Associated TiA and Office textbook readings
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Material directly related to in-class coverage
Information not specifically covered in class
What to Expect - MyITLab
Format will be similar to skills-based training
and Office Ch 1 Homework Assignments
 Must use Microsoft Office 2010 to complete
these applications-oriented assessments
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Excel - 19 steps
PowerPoint - 16 steps
Word - 14 steps
Each will take about 20-25 minutes to complete
 Must complete at least one in the computer lab
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What to Expect - Blackboard
Format will be similar to Quiz 2 - past students
have found Test 1 to be easier than most
 Many of the TiA and Excel questions will come
from the presentations and your lecture notes
 Most of the questions are likely to be multiple
choice and fill-in-the-blank formats, with a
few T/F and perhaps some multiple answer
 Total number of questions estimated at 55-60
 Must complete entire assessment in computer lab
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What to Expect - Blackboard
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Expected breakdown by content:
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TiA Ch 1 & 2
Excel
Extra Credit
25-30
25-30
5-8
(some multi-part)
Expected breakdown by question type:
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True/False
Multiple Choice
Multiple Answer
Fill in the Blank
10-15
25-30
5-7
10-15
(some multi-part)
Blackboard Reminders
Open current version of any of the major browsers
 Access Blackboard directly - do not use Ulink
 Proceed to Tests folder - will be available on time
 Read all instructions thoroughly before you begin
 Find an easy question, answer it, then Save using
button at bottom to enable auto-saving answers
 Use Edit > Find in browser to search for terms
 Right click, then left click to enter any formulas
 You may use a non-programmable calculator
 Let your professor know immediately about issues
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Test-Taking Tips
 Read
the directions and then each question
carefully to avoid careless errors
 Take note of highlighted text and key words
 Answer the easy questions on the first pass to
build confidence, accrue points, and orient
yourself to the test format and content
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You may want to focus on TiA on the initial pass
Skip any fill in the blank or those that are complex
Avoid spending more than a few seconds on each
Test-Taking Tips
 On
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Focus on those that have higher points values
Avoid spending more than a minute on any one
 Be
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the second pass, answer the Excel of fill
in the blank questions that seem familiar
sure to leave 10 minutes for a final pass
Eliminate those answers you know are either
incorrect or don’t appear to fit the question
Take a best guess on any unanswered questions
Be careful guessing on multiple answer format
Do not leave questions unanswered (except MA)
Test-Taking Tips
 Resist
the urge to leave as soon as you finish
 Make sure you have answered all questions
 Carefully examine all formulas to ensure you
did not make any mistakes with commas,
parenthesis, quotation marks, equal signs
 Only change your original answer to a given
question if you clearly made a mistake,
misread the question, or found a useful
piece of information elsewhere on Test
Excel - Common Issues
 Read
problem before you attempt to solve it
 Differentiate cell display from actual contents
 Be careful with cell references - absolute,
relative, and mixed (column vs. row)
 Don’t forget to begin all formulas with an '='
 Watch parenthesis, commas, and dollar signs
 Be sure you put your answer in proper format
 Students often leave questions unanswered take your “best guess” if you don’t know
Any Questions