NES Computer Science (315) Practice Tests

Competencies 0001–0003 make up about 28% of the test. They ask you to understand problem solving and algorithm development; understand characteristics of algorithms; understand data analysis, modeling, and simulation.

• Competency 0001: Understand problem solving and algorithm development. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of the iterative problem-solving process; Apply knowledge of decomposing a problem into simpler parts; Apply characteristics of algorithmic thinking, including the use of flowcharts and pseudocode; Demonstrate knowledge of the use of sequence, selection, iteration, and recursive thinking in algorithm design; Demonstrate knowledge of the concept of abstraction for managing program complexity; Demonstrate knowledge of how program components fit together to complete the problem-solving process.
• Competency 0002: Understand characteristics of algorithms. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of the practical application of algorithms; Interpret flow of control in an algorithm; Predict output of a given algorithm (e.g., program tracing); Select an algorithm to solve a given problem; Evaluate an algorithm in terms of correctness; Evaluate algorithms in terms of complexity and efficiency, including a basic interpretation of big-O notation; Apply knowledge of the characteristics and uses of searching (i.e., linear and binary) and sorting algorithms (e.g., bubble, selection).
• Competency 0003: Understand data analysis, modeling, and simulation. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of tools and techniques for locating, collecting, and storing small-scale and large-scale data sets from a variety of sources (e.g., files, database); Identify data and use a variety of tools (e.g., database, spreadsheet, algorithms) and techniques (e.g., search, filter, transform, visualize) to analyze data and identify patterns; Demonstrate knowledge of the use of models and representations to describe and evaluate processes and phenomena; Apply knowledge of computer models and data analysis techniques for analyzing and simulating real-world problems. 10/17.

Competencies 0004–0007 make up about 36% of the test. They ask you to understand programming concepts and program design and development; understand characteristics and uses of data types; understand operators and control structures, and more.

• Competency 0004: Understand programming concepts and program design and development. Skills tested: Apply knowledge of characteristics of programming languages (e.g., functional, compiled, object oriented), including block-based languages; Apply knowledge of the software development process (e.g., design, testing, maintenance) and methodologies (e.g., waterfall, iterative, agile); Apply knowledge of programming style and good programming practices (e.g., indenting, spacing, comments, naming conventions, camelCase) and program documentation; Apply knowledge of tools related to the development of computer artifacts (e.g., IDEs, APIs, libraries, mobile device simulators); Apply knowledge of common programming errors and procedures for debugging computer programs; Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of concepts related to programming (e.g., event driven, heuristic algorithms, parallel processing, artificial intelligence).
• Competency 0005: Understand characteristics and uses of data types. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of language-defined data types (e.g., integer, float, Boolean); Apply properties of strings and string methods (e.g., length, substring, concatenation); Apply knowledge of constants, variables, and classes in various contexts; Apply a basic knowledge of data structures (e.g., one-dimensional arrays).
• Competency 0006: Understand operators and control structures. Skills tested: Apply arithmetical operators as defined by the language (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, integer division, modular arithmetic); Apply relational operators in various contexts (e.g., greater than, less than, equal to); Interpret logical operators in various contexts (e.g., AND, OR, NOT); Apply knowledge of conditional selection structures (e.g., if, if-else), including nesting; Apply knowledge of iterative control structures (e.g., while, for), including nesting. 10/17.
• Competency 0007: Understand concepts of object-oriented design and programming. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of principles of modularization and characteristics of program modules (e.g., functions/methods, objects, classes); Analyze the characteristics and uses of inheritance and classes in object- oriented programming; Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and principles related to object-oriented design and programming (e.g., abstraction, information hiding, encapsulation, constructors); Apply knowledge of function calls, parameters, and parameter-passing techniques.

Competencies 0008–0009 make up about 18% of the test. They ask you to understand terminology and concepts related to computing systems; understand networks and the Internet.

• Competency 0008: Understand terminology and concepts related to computing systems. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of how information (e.g., text, image, sound) can be represented digitally by binary data; Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of binary, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems; Demonstrate knowledge of basic computer architecture and peripherals (e.g., processors, memory, storage, sensors); Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and functions of operating systems; Apply knowledge of strategies for troubleshooting basic hardware and software problems.
• Competency 0009: Understand networks and the Internet. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of terminology and concepts related to computer networks (e.g., client, server, bandwidth, protocol); Identify the basic structure and features of the Internet; Demonstrate knowledge of concepts related to data transfer on the Internet (e.g., routing, packet switching, https); Demonstrate knowledge of terminology and concepts related to mobile technologies (e.g., apps, wireless connectivity, security) and the interaction between mobile devices and networks; Demonstrate knowledge of cybersecurity issues related to networks and the Internet (e.g., firewalls, data encryption, malware). 10/17.

Competencies 0010–0011 make up about 18% of the test. They ask you to understand social and global issues related to computer technology; understand effective learning environments.

• Competency 0010: Understand social and global issues related to computer technology. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of significant events (e.g., vacuum tube, transistors, integrated circuit, Turing test) and influential contributors (e.g., Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper) in the history of computer science; Demonstrate knowledge of the responsible use of technology, social media, and digital citizenship, including appropriate etiquette, cyberbullying, and consequences of misuse; Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of technology on society (e.g., environment, economy, financial markets, medicine, education) and the influence of society on technology; Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the ethical and legal use of computers and information (e.g., privacy, confidentiality, information sharing, intellectual property rights, hacking); Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the equitable use of technology (e.g., language, disabilities, access to technology, culture, socioeconomic status).
• Competency 0011: Understand effective learning environments. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the safe and effective use of technology and digital citizenship, including online safety and privacy of electronic student information; Apply knowledge of principles and concepts related to an inquiry-based computer science curriculum; Apply knowledge of issues related to diversity in computer science education and strategies for fostering an inclusive computing learning environment; Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and practices to support the diverse needs of all learners; Demonstrate knowledge of effective approaches for promoting collaboration and developing communication skills; Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to mobile computing, computer literacy, computational thinking, and collaboration and communication in computer science. 10/17.