Keyboarding credits can be earned through taking the traditional IST 101 course or by taking IST 101 Credit-by-Exam (see below for details).

Keyboarding as a requirement for a graduation for IST majors has been phased out. You need to check with your faculty advisor or Douglas Leisher 240-500-2446, dkleisher@hagerstowncc.edu, to determine if you need to take the course; it will be dependent upon the course catalog (year) under which you entered college. Many students may be able to move to the current catalog through Self-Serivce/WebAdvisor.

IST 101 Credit-by-Exam

The Process
This exam consists of a timed typing and a written exam. Students opting for this choice must:

1. Print and complete the Credit-By-Exam form
2. Obtain signature from the director of Technology and Computer Studies
3. Pay the Credit-by Exam fee at the Finance Office (ASA 300)
4. Make an appointment for the exam with Douglas Leisher, dkleisher@hagerstowncc.edu
5. Review the documents
6. Take the exam during the scheduled time; be sure to bring the completed, signed form with you
7. The form will be signed and sent to the Office of Instruction. Credit will be awarded through that office with a student earning a Satisfactory grade. Unsatisfactory grades will also be submitted, but no credit given. Should a student receive an Unsatisfactory, they must take the course (either on-line or face-to-face)

Exam Contents

The Credit-by Exam consists of two parts: a timed typing and a written exam. Students will take up to two timed typings of two minutes each. To pass, students must key (type) at a minimum of 22 words per minute with two errors. This means that the student actually keys at 20 words per minute (one word is deducted for each error). Thus if a student is practicing, his or her goal should be 44 words for a two-minute typing. You are permitted to backspace the current word only; no spellchecking is permitted.

The written part of exam consists of multiple choice, true/false and short answer questions with the following topics:

• Ergonomics (posture and technique)
• Rules of grammar and punctuation
• Locating, marking, and counting errors