COMPUTER LITERACY SKILLS ASSESSMENT
On-Campus & Off-Campus Testing
During Orientation, all first-year UCT students take an online computer literacy skills assessment.
Why is this done?
 To evaluate the level of computer literacy among new students arriving at UCT.
 To help improve the computer skills of students who have poor computer literacy by offering them additional training.
What does it cover?
The assessment covers the basics of using a PC, Microsoft Windows XP, Word, Excel, PowerPoint (2007) as well as the internet
and email. It consists of 50 randomised simulated questions which you need to complete in 40 minutes.
Is this an examination?
No, this is not a test or an examination. It is however a compulsory assessment.
How does the scoring work?
If you score less than 60%, you must participate in the follow-up training provided by your Faculty.
What if I haven’t used a computer before?
If you haven’t used a computer before, you can opt-out of the computer literacy assessment, provided you commit to
participating in the follow-up training provided by your Faculty.
Who else can opt-out of taking the assessment?
Students who can show proof of being computer literate can opt-out of the assessment. You have to be able to present either
an ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) certificate or proof of taking computers as a subject at school (eg. Computer
Studies or CAT - Computer Applications Technology) or varsity (eg. an Information Systems or Computer Science course).
How can I brush up on my computer skills?
Go to vula.uct.ac.za and navigate to My Workspace > LearnOnline where you’ll find a list of self-training courses and manuals.
How do I take the test?
You can take the test online off-campus from Monday 16 January 2012 ONLY if:
 you are a confident computer user
 you have a broadband connection
 you have a Windows computer with Internet Explorer
 you have the Authorware Web Player Plugin installed (you will be asked to install this before taking the test)
URL
Login Name:
Password:
http://assess.uct.ac.za/start/
Student Number
Student’s date of birth in YYMMDD format
What if I have problems?
There is NO technical support available for students experiencing difficulties taking the test off-campus, so please DO NOT
contact your faculty for support! Students who experience problems MUST take the test on-campus on the designated days
during Orientation.
COMPASSESS USER GUIDE
3.
When all the questions have been answered, the system will
automatically proceed to the List Questions page so the test
can be submitted. Click List Questions now to see what this
page looks like. This page can be accessed any time to see
which questions have been completed.
4.
On the Submit Questions page, you see a Submit button and
a list of all the test questions.
5.
If you want to return to the test, then click on one of the test
questions in the list.
6.
For now, click back to question 1 and attempt to do the
Practice Test:
On-Campus & Off-Campus Testing
STARTING COMPASSESS OFF-CAMPUS:
Available from Mon 16 Jan 2012:
1.
Open Internet Explorer (do not use any other browser)
2.
Type in the URL: http://assess.uct.ac.za/start/
3.
STEP 1:
Read the instructions on screen as well as your printed
documentation (also downloadable from site)
4.
5.
6.
STEP 2:
Your computer needs to have the Authorware Web Player
Plugin installed before you an take the test. To install, click
on link: INSTALL AUTHORWARE WEB PLAYER. Installation
can take up to 5 minutes so please be patient. Once
completed a box appears “Installation complete”
STEP 3:
Go back to the URL: http://assess.uct.ac.za/start/
Click on link: TAKE THE ASSESSMENT
Enter the following info on the Student Registration screen:
Login Name: Student Number
Password:
Student’s date of birth in YYMMDD format
STEP 4:
Follow the instructions below on running the PRACTICE TEST
and the “REAL” ASSESSMENT:
STARTING COMPASSESS ON-CAMPUS:
1.
CompAssess has been set up on campus PCs with a desktop
shortcut - double-click it.
2.
This takes you to the CompAssess Welcome screen.
3.
At the top right of screen click Login. Note: If shortcut icon is
missing or doesn’t work, open Internet Explorer and type:
http://assess.uct.ac.za
4.
On the Student Registration screen, enter:
Login Name: Student Number
Password:
Student’s date of birth in YYMMDD format
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7.
Note: there will be some questions where you have to type in
a word as the answer. Before you start typing you should
click once in the answer space.
8.
Now go back to List Questions and see how completed or
flagged questions are identified.
9.
When you’ve finished the questions, you will be taken to the
Submit Questions page. Click on Submit Test, and see the
confirmation message. Click on OK.
10. Your results page will appear displaying your overall score as
well as a breakdown of your marks for different sections of
the test.
11. Click the Back Home button to return to the Test List.
RUNNING THE COMPUTER SKILLS ASSESSMENT:
1.
You should now be at the test list screen.
2.
Please note:
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After logging in, TWO tests are listed ie. the Practice test, and
the “real” test.
2.
Start the Practice Test by clicking on the Practice Test link.
The first question will be displayed. Notice the following:
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The question number in the top left.
The actual question just below the question number.
The question content, eg multiple choice options or simulation
screen, on the right.
The remaining time.
The option to skip to the next question (you can go back to this
question at any time).
The option to List Questions. This is how you go back to the
questions you have skipped, and this is what you click when
you are ready to submit your test answers.
The Flag checkbox is used to put a priority mark next to
questions that you want to return to easily.
the questions in the real assessment are randomised, so you
won’t have the same question as another student taking the
test at the same time.
simulated questions can be answered using various methods,
eg. shortcuts, menus, icons.
skip any question you aren’t sure of and go back to it later.
take the time to read the questions carefully.
3.
Please note that most labs at UCT are running Office 2010.
The Office 2007 interface is however used in the assessment
which covers the basics of using a PC, Microsoft Windows XP,
Word, Excel as well as the internet and email.
4.
The assessment consists of 50 randomised simulated
questions which you need to complete in 40 minutes. You
need 60% to pass, otherwise you will need to attend handson training in your Faculty.
5.
You can now click on the test and begin – good luck!
RUNNING THE PRACTICE TEST:
1.
Answer and submit a question
Skip a question you are unsure of
Flag The Question so that you can come back to it
PROBLEMS:
There is NO technical support available for students
experiencing difficulties taking the test off-campus, so
please DO NOT contact your faculty for support! Students
who experience problems MUST take the test on-campus
on the designated days during Orientation.