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Exam Overview/Study Suggestions

To register for COBE Placement Exam Preparations

  1. Go to Pearson MyLab Mastering
  2. Under Register, select Student.
  3. Confirm you have the information needed, then select OK! Register now.
  4. Enter the desired course ID for the Preparations for COBE Placement Exam and Continue.

    Microsoft Word 2021: itm22556

    Microsoft Excel 2021: itm09712

    Microsoft Access 2021: itm49091
  5. Enter your existing Pearson account username and password to Sign In.


    Quick Tip: You have an account if you have ever used a Pearson MyLab & Mastering product, such as MyMathLab, MyITLab, MySpanishLab, MasteringBiology or MasteringPhysics. If you don’t have an account, select Create and complete the required fields.



  6. Select an access option.


    Quick Tip: Get free temporary access to the exam preparation by selecting the link near the bottom of the page.



  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
  2. Select Sign In.
  3. Enter your Pearson account username and password and Sign in.
  4. Select the course name COBE Placement Exam Preparations to start your work.

To upgrade temporary access to full access

  1. Go to Pearson MyLab Mastering
  2. Select Sign In.
  3. Enter your Pearson account username and password and Sign in.
  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 is a hands-on computer simulation test for Microsoft 2019. The exam requires opening, modifying, interpreting, integrating files using specific instructions for each software package.

ITM 104 Topics Include

  • screen
  • moving around the screen/document
  • word-wrap
  • opening and saving documents
  • moving text: cutting and pasting, copying and pasting
  • basic formatting: margin, indents, alignment, tabs, fonts, style-bold, underlining
  • grammar check
  • headers and footers
  • footnotes and endnotes, tables
  • styles and templates
  • auto text, auto correct
  • format painter
  • columns
  • mail merge
  • hyperlink
  • outline
  • table of contents
  • index
  • master documents
  • forms
  • tracking changes
  • comments

ITM 105 Topics Include

  • screen
  • entering labels
  • change column width
  • series auto fill
  • renaming, moving, deleting and inserting sheets
  • entering formulas
  • using fill handle and auto sum
  • relative and absolute references
  • functions including ‘IF’
  • inserting rows and columns
  • basic formatting: fonts, style, size, alignment, borders, currency, number, % formats, patterns and colors
  • headers and footers
  • printing: centering, gridlines, row and column headings, displaying formulas, portrait and landscape orientation
  • chart annotating
  • ranges (move, copy, name)
  • freezing columns and rows
  • hiding and protecting worksheet areas,
  • recording macros
  • lists
  • data tables (one-way and two-way)
  • scenario manager
  • pivot tables and charts
  • solver, goal seek and data analysis tools

ITM 106 Topics Include

  • a brief overview of tables: design, creating a table, field names, data types, primary key, field properties (sizes, captions, default value, decimals, input masks), wizard only (phone number or date), indexes adding and deleting fields
  • input (1 or 2 records only in datasheet view to see how field properties work)
  • discuss relationships briefly
  • importing Access tables: this will allow the use of created tables for queries and reports
  • sorting records in datasheet view
  • filters
  • forms
  • exporting data
  • subform
  • queries (include more than one table, include calculated field)
  • create reports: use wizard
  • revise reports (without wizard e.g. adding fields, etc.)

Study Suggestions and Tips

  • The exam uses 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 2019 Office tutorials.
  • Click the List option (located on the ribbon bar toward the middle of the screen) to see a list of all questions on the exam. Select one of the easier questions for the first question.
  • Remember, this is a simulation program. 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.
  • The exam is timed, watch the timer on the computer lower right corner.
  • Each question allows three tries.
  • Questions cycle around again if you skip a question or do not use all three tries at one time.
  • You need 70% to receive a passing score.