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Exam Overview/Study Suggestions

To register for COBE Placement Exam Preparations

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  4. Enter the desired course ID for the Preparations for COBE Placement Exam and click Continue to register.

    Microsoft Word 2021: itm90504

    Microsoft Excel 2021: itm78793

    Microsoft Access 2021: itm24566
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  7. On the My Courses page, select the course name COBE Placement Exam Preparations to start your work.

To sign in later to COBE Placement Exam Preparations

  1. Go to Pearson MyLab Mastering
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  4. Select Upgrade access for COBE Placement Exam Preparations to start your work.
  5. Enter an access code or buy access with a credit card or PayPal account

Exam Overview and Topics

This exam comes in two sections. The first section is a mix of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching questions. The second section is a hands-on computer simulation test for Microsoft Office 2021. The second section requires opening, modifying, interpreting, integrating files using specific instructions for each software package. A list of the topics that are tested are below.

BusApp 104 – Operating Systems and Word Processing Topics

Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, Matching Questions

  • Begin and Edit a Document
  • Customize Word
  • Modify a Document
  • Apply Styles
  • View a Document in Different Ways
  • Save and Share Documents
  • Apply Font Attributes
  • Format a Paragraph
  • Modify Graphic Objects
  • Insert a Table
  • Format a Table
  • Manage Table Data
  • Enhance Table Data
  • Use a Writing Style and Acknowledge Sources
  • Create and Modify Footnotes and Endnotes
  • Explore Special Features
  • Track Changes
  • Review a Document


    Simulations
  • Create a Document and Reuse Text
  • Add Text and Navigate a Document
  • Find and Replace Document Content
  • Review Spelling and Grammar
  • Select a Document Theme
  • Work with Sections and Columns
  • Save in Alternative Formats
  • Modify Document Properties
  • Ensure Document Accessibility and Run the Document Inspector
  • Select Font Options and Change Text Appearance
  • Select Paragraph Alignment, Spacing, and Indenting
  • Set Tab Stops and Apply Borders and Shading
  • Create Bulleted and Numbered Lists
  • Insert a Text Box and Insert a Shape
  • Create a Table and Insert and Delete Rows and Columns
  • Merge and Split Cells and Change Row Height and Column Width
  • Apply and Modify Table Styles, Adjust Table Position and Alignment, and Format Table Text
  • Use a Formula and Use a Function
  • Sort Data in a Table
  • Include Borders and Shading and a Table Caption
  • Select a Writing Style, Format a Research Paper, Create a Source and Include a Citation
  • Manage Sources and Create a Bibliography
  • Create and Modify Footnotes
  • Use Track Changes, Use Markup, and Accept Changes
  • Add a Comment, View Comments, and Reply to Comments
  • Apply and Modify Column Layout

BusApp 105 – Spreadsheet Topics

Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, Matching Questions

  • Explore the Excel Window
  • Enter and Edit Cell Data
  • Create Formulas
  • Manage Columns and Rows
  • Use Relative, Absolute, and Mixed Cell References in Formulas
  • Insert a Function
  • Use the IF Function
  • Insert Basic Math and Statistics Functions
  • Use Date Functions
  • Use Lookup Functions
  • Create a Basic Chart
  • Use Other Methods to Create a Chart
  • View Large Datasets
  • Calculate Data with Structured References and Table Aggregation
  • Sort Data
  • Filter Data
  • Apply Conditional Formatting
  • Create a PivotTable
  • Modify a PivotTable
  • Sort, Filter, and Slice a PivotTable
  • Create a Calculated Field
  • Create a PivotChart
  • Subtotal Data
  • Group Data
  • Create a One-Variable Data Table
  • Determine Optimal Input Values Using Goal Seek
  • Use Date and Time Functions
  • Use Advanced Logical Functions
  • Use Functions to Evaluate One Condition
  • Work with Grouped Worksheets


    Simulations
  • Use Auto Fill to Complete a Sequence
  • Enter Values, Enter a Date, and Clear Cell Contents
  • Find and Replace Data
  • Use Cell References in a Formula, Copy a Formula, and Use Semi-Selection to Create a Formula
  • Display Cell Formulas
  • Insert and Delete Rows
  • Adjust Column Width, Adjust Row Height, and Hide and Unhide a Column
  • Select a Range, Move a Range, and Insert Cut Cells
  • Apply a Cell Style and Merge Cells
  • Change Cell Alignment and Wrap Text
  • Apply a Border and Fill Color
  • Copy, Move, and Rename a Worksheet
  • Use Relative Cell References in a Formula
  • Use an Absolute Cell Reference in a Formula
  • Use a Mixed Cell Reference in a Formula
  • Use the SUM Function
  • Use the XLOOKUP Function
  • Use the IF Function
  • Create a Basic Chart
  • Create a Recommended Chart and Change the Chart Type
  • Add and Format Axis Titles and Format Axes
  • Add and Format Data Labels
  • Format the Chart Area, Add Alt Text, and Format a Data Point
  • Apply a Chart Style
  • Change the Data Source and Switch Row and Column Data
  • Freeze Rows and Columns
  • Manage Page Breaks
  • Print Titles
  • Create and Rename a table
  • Add and Delete Fields
  • Add a Record
  • Remove Duplicate Rows
  • Create Structured References in Formulas
  • Sort by Multiple Fields
  • Apply a Number Filter
  • Highlight Cells Rules
  • Subtotal Data
  • Add a Second Subtotal
  • Create a Recommended PivotTable and Name a PivotTable
  • Add Rows, Values, and Columns
  • Change Value Field Settings
  • Create a Range Name
  • Edit and Delete Range Names
  • Use a Range Name in a Formula
  • Nest an AND Function within an IF Function
  • Use the SUMIF Function
  • Group Worksheets and Fill Across Worksheets
  • Enter and Format Data on Grouped Worksheets

BusApp 106 – Database Topics

Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, Matching Questions

  • Open, Save, and Enable Content in a Database
  • Recognize Database Object Types
  • Modify, Add, and Save Data
  • Use Database Utilities
  • Perform Sorts
  • Create a Database
  • Work with Filters
  • Create and Modify Tables and Work with Data
  • Design a Table
  • Establish Table Relationships
  • Create a Single-Table Query
  • Specify Query Criteria
  • Create a Query with a Calculated Field
  • Format Calculated Results
  • Recover from Common Errors
  • Create Expressions Using the Expression Builder
  • Use Built-in Functions
  • Create Forms Using Form Tools
  • Modify Forms
  • Create Reports Using Report Tools
  • Use the Form Layout Control
  • Sort Records in a Form
  • Use Report Views
  • Sort and Group Records in a Report
  • Establish Data Validation
  • Control the Format of Data Entry
  • Control Input with a Lookup Field
  • Customize Output Based on User Input
  • Use Advanced Functions


    Simulations
  • Modify Records in a Table
  • Add Records to a Table
  • Delete Records from a Table
  • Use a Selection Filter to Find Exact Matches
  • Use a Selection Filter to Find Records Containing a Value
  • Perform Sorts
  • Add Records to a Database Template
  • Set a Table’s Primary Key
  • Work with Field Properties
  • Create a New Field in Design View
  • Import Excel Data
  • Import Access Data
  • Establish Table Relationships
  • Use the Query Wizard
  • Specify Query Criteria, Specify Query Sort Order, and Run the Query
  • Build Expressions
  • Format Calculated Results
  • Recover from Common Errors
  • Create Expressions Using the Expression Builder
  • Create a Totals Query and Add Grouping and Conditions
  • Create Forms Using Form Tools
  • Use Layout View to Modify a Form Design
  • Creating Reports Using Report Tools
  • Modifying a Report
  • Require a Field and Add a Default Field Value
  • Add a Validation Rule with Validation Text
  • Create an Input Mask

Study Suggestions and Tips

  • The exams use standard Microsoft processes. Know the formal definition of each topic listed on the Exam Overview/Topic Lists above.
  • Before arriving for the exam you may want to conduct a Google search for online Microsoft Office tutorials.
  • Remember, some of the questions are simulations. Complete all instructions exactly as they are stated. (If it indicates a capitalization or period, then do it exactly that way. If it indicates no capitalization or no period, then do it exactly that way.)
  • Answer each question or complete each task in the exact order requested in the question. (If requested to block, bold then underline text, you must block first, then bold second, then underline last. The program looks for the blocking first, then the bold and last the underline) If you mix these up the answer is incorrect.
  • Each section of the exam is timed. Please keep track of your time during the test.
  • You need 70% to receive a passing score.