There are three ways to test out of a course. Carefully read each definition, as all three are very different. Click on this link for test descriptions. Testing Out Without Earning Credit This option is for you if you want to test out of a beginning-level course to take an advanced-level course. Which courses are included in this option? Here is a list of the beginning-level courses in which you may take tests and the matching advanced-level course(s) for each test: | CMSY-101 | for | CMSY-117, CMSY-136, or OFFI-275 | | CMSY-102 | for | CMSY-104 or OFFI-270 | | CMSY-103 | for | CMSY-118, CMSY-136, or OFFI-275 | | CMSY-104 | for | CMSY-136, OFFI-275, or OFFI-281 | | CMSY-116 | for | CMSY-136 or OFFI-275 | | CMSY-134 | for | CMSY-142 | | OFFI-177 | for | OFFI-102 | | OFFI-290 | for | OFFI-270 |
How much does the test cost? No charge. May I retake the test? No. If the test is not passed, the course must be taken. What grade is considered passing? 80 percent. When is the test given? Any time the Office Technology Classroom is open. Call 410-772-4876 to make an appointment. May I take the test in parts? Some tests consist of more than one part (see individual test descriptions) and each part may be taken on different days/times. When will I know if I passed? You will be notified within two working days either by phone or email (your choice). If I pass the test, will I receive credit for the course? No. If there is any possibility that you may want to use the credit for this course toward a certificate or degree, you should follow the instructions for proficiency tests. How long will the test take? Some tests are timed; some tests are not timed. (See individual test descriptions.) Will I be given study materials? No. You may pick up a course description/outline in the Office Technology Classroom. You can also read the course descriptions at the college website. Testing Out and Earning Credit – Proficiency Tests This option is for you if you feel you already have the knowledge to pass a course and you want to earn credit in the course without taking or registering for the course. (NOTE: If your employer is reimbursing you for courses that you pass, some employers do not pay for pass grades; they require a letter grade. If this is your case, see the "Challenge Tests" section.) Which courses are included in this option? | CMSY-101 | CMSY-128 | | CMSY-102 | CMSY-132 | | CMSY-103 | CMSY-134 | | CMSY-104 | CMSY-142 | | CMSY-116 | CMSY-143 | | CMSY-117 | OFFI-100 | | CMSY-118 | OFFI-177 | | CMSY-125 | OFFI-279 | | CMSY-127 | OFFI-290 |
Do I register for the course? No. Stop by the Office Technology Classroom and ask for a proficiency exam form. The top part of the form must be completed and then taken to the cashier’s window. Be sure to get the proficiency exam form back; you should keep the white copy for your records. Ask for two copies of your payment receipt — one for you to keep and one to give to the instructor along with the proficiency exam form. How much does the test cost? One half of the current in-county tuition rate. No other fees are charged. You pay the in-county rate even if you are an out-of-county student. May I retake the test? No. If the test is not passed, the course must be taken. What grade is considered passing? A grade of 70 percent or above is passing. A pass grade (P) is given. If you do not pass the test, no grade is assigned. When is the test given? Any time the Office Technology Classroom is open. Call 410-772-4876 to make an appointment. You must complete the test within 30 days of paying for the test. May I take the test in parts? Some tests consist of more than one part (see individual test descriptions) and each part may be taken on different days/times. When will I know if I passed? You will be notified within two working days either by phone or email (your choice). You will also receive a letter from the Business/Computer Systems Division chair notifying you that you will receive credit for the course. If I pass the test, will I receive credit for the course? Yes. Proficiency credits count toward graduation requirements for any program in the college catalogue for which the course is a requirement. How long will the test take? Some tests are timed; some tests are not timed. (See individual test descriptions.) Will I be given study materials? No. You may pick up a course description/outline in the Office Technology Classroom. You can also read the descriptions at the college website. May I take a proficiency test for a course in which I was previously enrolled but did not pass? No.
Testing Out and Earning Credit and a Grade – Challenge Tests This option is for you if you feel you already have the knowledge to pass a course and you want to earn credit and a grade for the course. Which courses are included in this option?
| CMSY-101 | CMSY-128 | | CMSY-102 | CMSY-132 | | CMSY-103 | CMSY-134 | | CMSY-104 | CMSY-142 | | CMSY-116 | CMSY-143 | | CMSY-117 | OFFI-100 | | CMSY-118 | OFFI-177 | | CMSY-125 | OFFI-279 | | CMSY-127 | OFFI-290 |
How much does the test cost? You would register for the course and pay the tuition and fees for the course. May I retake the test? No. If the test is not passed, the course must be taken. What grade is considered passing? 70 percent. When is the test given? Any time the Office Technology Classroom is open. Call 410-772-4876 to make an appointment. You must take the test within one week of registering for the course or within one week of the beginning of the semester (whichever is sooner). May I take the test in parts? Some tests consist of more than one part (see individual test descriptions) and each part may be taken on different days/times. When will I know if a passed? You will be notified within two working days either by phone or email (your choice). If I pass the test, will I receive credit for the course? Yes. Your grade will be posted at the end of the current semester. How long will the test take? Some tests are timed; some tests are not timed. (See individual test descriptions.) Will I be given study materials? No. You may pick up a course description/outline in the Office Technology Classroom. You can also read the descriptions at the college website.
Test Descriptions (Note: Many of the following tests state a time limit. This is the maximum time allowed; you may be able to complete a test in less than an hour.) Courses CMSY-101 Beginning Spreadsheets
Software used: Microsoft Office* Excel
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-102 Beginning Word Processing
Software used: Microsoft Office* Word
Two tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-103 Beginning Databases
Software used: Microsoft Office* Access
Two tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-104 Advanced Word Processing
Software used: Microsoft Office* Word
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-116 PowerPoint
Software used: Microsoft Office* PowerPoint
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-117 Advanced Spreadsheets
Software used: Microsoft Office* Excel
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-118 Advanced Databases
Software used: Microsoft Office* Access
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-125 FrontPage
Software used: Microsoft Office* FrontPage
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-127 Microsoft Outlook
Software used: Microsoft Office*Outlook
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-128 Introduction to HTML
Two tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1 and 2) CMSY-132 Introduction to Windows
Software used: Microsoft Windows XP
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-134 Introduction to Operating Systems
Software used: Microsoft Windows XP; DOS
Three tests timed for one hour each (Production Tests 1, 2, and 3) CMSY-142 Operating System Fundamentals I
Three written tests not timed CMSY-143 Operating System Fundamentals II
Three written tests not timed OFFI-100 Office Machines
Calculator used: Sharp Model EL-2630GII
Five tests timed for one hour each OFFI-177 English for the Office Professional
Paper test; no computer used
One test timed for two hours (must see program coordinator for test) OFFI-279 Keyboarding
Two 3-minute timed writings given. Warmup time allowed.
Two words are subtracted for each error not corrected by backspacing. OFFI-290 Medical Terminology
Paper test; no computer used
One test timed for two hours (Final exam) _______________________ *Microsoft Office 2007 used. | 
