This Computer Skills Assessment Survey has been prepared to ascertain computer skills, both in hardware and software and tailor training accordingly.

By completing this survey you help us to evaluate what training is required to increase your skills.

The survey consists of three sections.

Section A Hardware - This section covers your computer access, usage and knowledge of hardware.

Section B Software - This section covers your knowledge and skills using the Microsoft Windows operating system. Skills relating to the main applications – Word Pad and/or Open Office Write are addressed.

Section C The World Wide Web (The Internet) - This section covers the skills that are required to use the Internet (including Email) effectively. Your knowledge of general use programs is also assessed.

Further Information

There may be skills we have overlooked so we have provided space at the end for you to list any other computer-related skills.

At the end is space for your feedback on this survey. We want to know if you feel this tool is useful.

Please remove the inappropriate answer

Do you have a computer on your desk? Yes No I use the computer:

1. for all of my work Yes No
2. for word processing Yes No
3. for e-mail Yes No

E-mail Program you use: Other:

Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. turn Computer, on and off Yes No Not sure
2. turn screen on and off Yes No Not sure
3. turn equipment attached to computer on and off e.g. printer, scanner Yes No Not sure
4. restart computer Yes No Not sure
5. shut down computer Yes No Not sure
6. use the keyboard Yes No Not sure
7. use special keys (e.g. Function keys) Some All None
8. navigate with the mouse Yes No Not sure
9. use the left mouse button function Yes No Not sure
10. use the right mouse button function Yes No Not sure
11. Use mouse wheel Yes No Not Sure
12. use centre wheel button Yes No Not Sure
13. use the DVD/CD drive Yes No Not sure
14. use the floppy drive: Yes No Not sure
15. use the “INS” key Yes No Not sure
16. use the “NUM LOCK” key Yes No Not sure
17. adjust the monitor for comfort Yes No Not sure
18. adjust screen color /sharpness Yes No Not sure
19. adjust screen contrast & brightness Yes No Not sure
20. adjust borders / position of the viewable screen Yes No Not sure
21. physically connect components to the computer e.g. printer, scanner Yes No Not sure
22. use a printer Yes No Not sure
23. scan files for viruses Yes No Not sure
24. Connecting to the Local Area Network
25. find other computers on the network Yes No Not sure
26. find a printer Yes No Not sure

Please remove the inappropriate answer

1. I know what an operating system is Yes No Not sure

I know how to:

1. use the Start button Yes No Not sure
2. select from a menu Yes No Not sure
3. use the tool bar Yes No Not sure
4. use a scroll bar Yes No Not sure
5. use the task bar Yes No Not sure
6. identify the desktop Yes No Not sure
7. use the recycle bin Yes No Not sure
8. use the online help Yes No Not sure
9. use Windows Explorer Yes No Not sure
10. transfer files from hard disk to flash/USB/DVD/CD drive Yes No Not sure
11. copy files and folders Yes No Not sure
12. re-size and reshape windows Yes No Not sure
13. minimize a window Yes No Not sure
14. send a window to the task bar Yes No Not sure
15. remove objects from the desktop Yes No Not sure
16. recognize drives by abbreviations (A, B, C, D,) Yes No Not sure
17. create a new folder or file Yes No Not sure

Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. start a program Yes No Not sure
2. close a program Yes No Not sure
3. minimize an application Yes No Not sure
4. place a running application in the task bar Yes No Not sure
5. create a shortcut to an application Yes No Not sure

Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. create, save and open documents Yes No Not sure
2. print documents Yes No Not sure
3. change printer properties Yes No Not sure
4. use the spelling/grammar option Yes No Not sure
5. change margins, styles Yes No Not sure
6. insert picture or object in my document Yes No Not sure
7. insert a ‘forced’ page break Yes No Not sure
8. insert bullets/numbering Yes No Not sure
9. use the indenting function Yes No Not sure
10. use templates Yes No Not sure
11. create, use and modify tabs Yes No Not sure
12. create, use and format tables Yes No Not sure
13. use headers & footers Yes No Not sure
14. use shortcuts to navigate Word Some Many No
15. create a mail merge Yes No Not sure
16. create sections, headings Yes No Not sure
17. work with styles Yes No Not sure
18. use ‘find and replace’ function Yes No Not sure
19. create and use auto text Yes No Not sure
20. create and use a macro Yes No Not sure
21. format the Word Screen (add/remove toolbars & icons from toolbars, view ruler etc.) Yes No Not sure
22. use the Options Window to format the behaviour of the Word program Yes No Not sure

Connecting to the Internet Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. connect to the ISP (Internet Service Provider) Yes No Not sure
2. determine connection status Yes No Not sure

Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. open an email program Yes No Not sure
2. use my personal email address Yes No Not sure
3. attach files to email messages Yes No Not sure
4. check for new mail Yes No Not sure
5. send mail Yes No Not sure
6. save names in the Address Book Yes No Not sure
7. create and use a distribution list of recipients Yes No Not sure
8. create folders to organize my mail Yes No Not sure
9. create a default signature for mail Yes No Not sure
10. change my access password Yes No Not sure

Please remove the inappropriate answer I know how to:

1. open my Web Browser Yes No Not sure
2. go to a known web address Yes No Not sure
3. Distinguish between what is a link and what isn’t Yes No Not sure
4. Add a shortcut to the links bar Yes No Not sure
5. download files/applications Yes No Not sure
6. bookmark a preferred page/add to favourites Yes No Not sure
7. file new bookmarks/favourites in folders Yes No Not sure
8. use search engines Yes No Not sure
9. group words or phrases as a search string Yes No Not sure
10. use Boolean phrases and/or their equivalents Yes No Not sure
11. refine my search when I get too many results Yes No Not sure
12. Email a page or link Yes No Not sure
13. Save information to a file/folder Yes No Not sure
14. Copy an image/text from the internet Yes No Not sure
15. Print information Yes No Not sure

Do you have any knowledge in any of the applications listed below? Please indicate your level of knowledge by entering an appropriate number as 0 - no knowledge 5 – Advanced level of knowledge.

1. Microsoft Excel/Open Office Calc
2. Microsoft Access/Open Office Base
3. Microsoft PowerPoint/Open Office Impress
4. Microsoft Publisher/Open Office Draw
5. Web Publishing
6. Accounting Packages
7. DVD/CD Writing/Photo/Movie Packages (Nero, Ulead, etc)
8. Total Photograph/Graphics Packages (Photoshop, Gimp, etc)
9. Simple Photograph/Picture/Graphics (Faststone, Irfanview, Picasa, etc)
10. PC Security Packages (Virus, Spyware, Adware, Firewall, etc)

Other Skills that you have

Other comments (e.g. was this assessment user-friendly?)