Contest Director - Linda Tarrant
RULES,
REGULATIONS, &
DIRECTION
“To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer.”
Microsoft Office
Excel
Access
Word
Interaction of applications
Office 2007
or 2010 or
2013 ONLY
No older versions!
Word processing
elements in Word;
spreadsheet
elements in Excel;
database elements,
in Access
 Laptop/notebook
& printer
 Diskette, CD or Flash Drive
 Optional: external mouse, keyboard or
keypad, USB expansion port (no external hard
drives)
 No networked
systems
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Arrive 30-45 minutes early.
Set up your computer & printer.
Open Excel, Word & Access.
Test to be sure everything works.
Print something from each application.
Leave applications open.
Answer roll call 5 to 10 minutes before contest.
Send coaches out with a copy of the test to run.
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5-minute tiebreaker
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3-minute preview before contest
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30-minute contest with 10 minute and 2
minute warnings
5-minute tiebreaker – typing test with
formatting & special characters
 3-minute preview of the test – mark difficult
areas & plan IF functions
 30-minute test with 10 & 2 minute warnings
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Complete Word document; print and save it.
Skip very difficult areas; return if time permits.
Save often and print often.
Students pack up belongings and leave.
 Coaches gather to grade printouts.
 All coaches grade Printout 1 together.
 3 coaches grade each printout.
 All coaches grade Printout 2 together.
 3 coaches grade each printout.
 Coaches leave while results are ordered.
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Each student & coach reviews student's
score sheet, test &answer key.
 If there is a problem, review it with
contest director.
 There is no comparing of tests of
different students.
 Verification is 15 minutes in duration.
 Awards follows shortly after.
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Prepare students & get them to meets
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Take test in a separate location while students are
taking it, probably in groups
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Grade tests (required in Constitution)
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Attend verification with student
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Attend awards & retrieve student’s test & saving
device
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Excel printout & Word document with embedded chart
and/or formula
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Access printout or report & Word document with embedded
data, report or formula
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Access or Excel printout & merged Word document
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Access to Excel & Word with something embedded
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Excel to Access & Word with something embedded
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Just Access & Excel with something embedded
Building tables
 Creating labels
 Making simple reports with minor changes
 Using simple queries (Select & Update)
 Using basic functions & formulas
 Using wizards
 Merging to Word
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Import Access table into Excel.
 Publish or merge to Word.
 Use more advanced queries.
 Use Expression Builder for complicated
functions/formulas.
 Modify reports after creating with wizard
in more complex ways.
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Use all query types.
Use Expression Builder for complex formulas.
Build relationships.
Create queries using multiple tables.
Create reports using multiple tables.
Modify created reports with complex changes.
Merge to Word using Data Switches.
Use downloaded files.
Calculation basics
 Formula basics
 Basic function usage
 Formatting fields
 Header & footer usage
 Chart usage
 Copy chart/table to or from Word
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All Excel functions
All advanced chart capabilities
Multiple sheets in a workbook
Merge to Word
Goal seeking capability
Pivot tables
Data templates or masks to enter data
Copy chart to Access report
 Modify Pivot Tables after creating
 Filter using Auto Filter or Advanced Filter
 Consolidate cells from multiple worksheets
 Use outlines and subtotals
 Use data validation
 Use downloaded files
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Create documents or reports.
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Know formats from Handbook or have
them as templates on your hard drive.
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Manipulate margins.
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Use headers & footers.
Columns
 Tables
 Text boxes
 Borders
 Drawing tools
 Merge from Access or Excel
 Copy of Word table into Excel
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Make calculations in tables
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Work with outlines
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Format merged fields using Data Switches
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Handbook information is officially part of
the Constitution.
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Coaches are REQUIRED to grade!
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A contestant may be DISQUALIFIED if
his/her coach does not grade!
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Internal and external timers that make
noise are NOT allowed!
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OFFICE 2007 or 2010 or 2013/365)
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Find competitors.
Encourage work outside of class.
Learn everything you can about the contest.
Cover enough Word, Excel, and Access early.
Teach contest skills in the classroom.
Have students take old tests.
Have students learn basics from the Handbook.
Have students use templates for documents.
Keep your competitors multiple years.
 Ferret out students in BIM classes.
 Search in 6th-7th grade tech apps classes (get
to know the teachers at that level).
 Ask teachers in Computer Science, other
math or tech classes.
 Ask students for suggestons.
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Fun weekend meets
Prestige of District & Region
Rewards of State
 Trip to Austin
 Addition to your college
applications
 Beautiful medals
 Better jobs
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Start as soon as you identify potentials.
Learn everything in the Handbook.
Use templates.
Learn basics of Word/Excel/Access.
Use self-paced study materials.
Use old tests.
Teach test-taking skills for Comp Ap.
 Access is an integral part of this contest.
 Many curriculums put it off until after
PowerPoint and Outlook.
 Consider modifying your curriculum to give
some Word, Excel and Access, and then
repeat the sequence with higher level skills.
 Take old tests…lots of them.
 Tutorial books, videos, and practice
tests are available from 3rd party
vendors.
 UIL website has Overview Video.
 UIL website has additional information.
 UIL website has FAQs.
 UIL website has downloadable lesson
plans.
 Ad hoc committee
met in a few years ago at Capital
Conference with 18 coaches from 1st year
coaches to seasoned veterans.
 Primary conclusions:
 It’s a hard
contest.
 Students want the challenge.
 New coaches need more support to learn the
contest.
 Low scores on tests
 Difficulty level
 Use of Access in contest
 BIM no longer required
 School budget cuts
 Grading problems
 Features required per level
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Review of all participants showed an average
score of 84 (1,600 competitors)
The document was 60 points.
Over HALF of the competitors made less than
60, indicating they couldn't do a basic
document, and too many made zero.
• Don’t set your
students up to
fail.
• Don't send a
competitor to
District without
preparation.
too easy
 Inv A/B
 Dist 1/2
 Region
23%
11%
6%
okay too hard
75%
82%
89%
2%
8%
5%
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Only 2 weeks occur between District and Region.
Only 2 weeks occur between Region and State.
Most would not become skilled in Office if elements
are limited.
Invitational A and/or B and both District tests must
have Access or Region would have zeroes.
Some areas have as many as 14 practice meets.
Limiting is impractical and not in interest of students.
 UIL website under Computer Applications
has 5 downloadable Lesson Plans.
 Incorporate these in your class.
 Have students complete
exercises.
 Simplifying the IF/IIF Function
 Understanding how Time & Dates work
 Using Update Queries & Expression Builder
 Using Field Codes for date and time
 Using Field Codes for numeric fields
 Maybe,
but it’s difficult like other UIL
contests
 Requires extracurricular work
 Requires MORE
than classroom skills.
1-800-391-2891
[email protected]
Credit to Mark Romine for
pictures/some of content