COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

 Computer Applications provides members with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge around competencies in different applications in computing. This competitive event consists of an objective test and production test. It aims to inspire members to learn about the effective application of the computer to facilitate handling of business information.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Production
Event Elements: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below) and Production Test
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Production Test Time: 2 hours, due by date specified in the SLC Registration Packet
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development

Equipment Competitor Must Provide: Pencil for Objective Test, Computer for Production Test
Equipment FBLA Provides: Production Test Tasks

 Objective Test Competencies

·         Basic Computer Terminology and Concepts
·         Presentation, Publishing, and Multimedia Applications
·         Spreadsheet and Database Applications
·         Basic Application Knowledge and Word Processing
·         E-mail, Integrated, and Collaboration Applications
·         Netiquette and Legal Issues
·         Security
·         Formatting, Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Proofreading

Production Test Competencies

·         Create, Search, and Query Databases
·         Spreadsheet Functions and Formulas
·         Text, Slide, Graphics, and Presentations
·         Business Graphics
·         Word Processing

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit one entry per event.

·      Members on the state level may enter up to three different events in the following combinations: 

o    Three objective tests OR

o    Two objective test and one production OR

o    Two objective tests and one performance OR

o    One objective test, one performance, and one production

·         In addition, on the state level, a member may compete in one chapter event (Community Service Project or State of Chapter Presentation).

·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.

·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.  If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event has two parts: Objective Test and Production Test

·         Objective Test

o   The objective test is administered online prior to the SLC.

o   No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

o   No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided.

o   All electronic devices such as cell phones and smart watches must be turned off before competition begins.

Production Test

o   Submission Deadline: An accessible link must be uploaded in the conference registration system by the date specified in the SLC registration packet.

o   The production test is administered and proctored by an adult at a designed school-site prior to the SLC. Administration procedures for the production test are determined by the state chair/adviser.

o   The production test is a set of tasks based on the competencies for the competitor to complete.

o   Documents produced for this event must be prepared by the competitor without help from the adviser or any other person.

o   Calculators cannot be used on the production test.

o   The Format Guide, found on the Competitive Events website (www.fbla.org) can be used for the production test.

Scoring

·         The rating sheet will be released with the production test.

·         Production Test is 85% of the total score.

·         Objective Test is 15% of the total score.

·         The Production Test score will be used to break a tie.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones and smart watches must not be brought to the testing site.

National

Be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/collegiate/pbl-competitive-events/