Information Technology Proficiency

St. Mary’s University has established standards for basic Information Technology Proficiency (ITP) that all undergraduate students must meet. This requirement ensures that our graduates are able to use computers to acquire, organize, and communicate information in a digital environment and to understand the ethical and legal implications in using information in this technical format (Catalog).

Meeting the University Requirement

All undergraduate students must achieve a passing score (170) on the iSkills test administered by the Counseling and Testing Center prior to the end of their first year at St. Mary's.

The current cost of the iSkills test is $22. Beginning Spring 2010, the cost will increase to approximately $35. Students who need to take the iSkills test are encouraged to take it during the upcoming testing period beginning September 24 – October 15.

Fall 2009 Test Schedule
Thursdays Beginning Sept. 24th : 2:30 - 4; 4 -5:30; 6 -7:30 p.m.
Fridays Beginning Sept. 25th: 9 - 10:30 a.m.; 12:30 –2 p.m.
Mondays Beginning Sept. 28th: 9 -10:30 a.m.,;3:30 -5 p.m.
Wednesdays Beginning Sept. 30th: 9 –10:30 a.m.; 1 -2:30, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Testing Ends October 15, 2009 for the Fall Semester

Register for the iSkills test on the ATS website. Sessions are limited to 20 students. Please register for one testing session. If you need to reschedule your testing session, please contact Jeff Schomberg.

All test sessions are in Life 203. Please bring a current photo I.D. and a printed copy of your registration form. The test will be charged to your St. Mary’s account. Students who do not pass the iSkills test, must retake it as soon as possible. Course credits will not be given for this test.

The iSkills test covers 7 areas of knowledge and skills: Defining, Accessing, Evaluating, Managing, Integrating, Creating, and Communicating Information. These modules include the ethical and legal use of technology in accessing and applying information retrieved within a digital environment.

Students, prior to Fall 2008, who have taken CS1101, 1102 & 1103 AND received a passing grade of 80 or above on all three modular tests, have fulfilled the Information Technology Proficiency requirement. Students who have not fulfilled any of the previously offered modular tests, must now take the iSkills test for this University requirement.

For more information on the iSkills test, please contact Douglas Hall, Ph.D., in the Computer Science department.

Links

iSkills Test at ETS
Frequently Asked Questions (Word document)
Brochure on Information Technology Proficiency