The syllabus specifies the level of proficiency to be attained. It is not the syllabus for a required course. In other words, students who already have the required proficiency do not need to attend any course. The only requirement is to pass the test.

The emphasis is on the accomplishment of certain tasks using any software. Although some particular software may be cited for illustration below or implied by the terminology, the ability to accomplish the same tasks using any other equivalent software is acceptable.

The IT proficiency test requires students to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the basic operations of a computer system;
2. use computer application software to solve problems in electronic communication, data management and information presentation;
3. show an awareness of issues on computer ethics and copyrights; and
4. show knowledge of information security and information literacy.

The IT proficiency test covers:

Section
1	Operating a microcomputer	Practical
2	Word Processing	Practical
3	Electronic Spreadsheet	Practical
4	Electronic Communication	Practical
5	Presentation Software	Practical
6	Ethics in IT and Relevant Hong Kong Legislations	Conceptual
7	Information Security	Practical
		Conceptual
8	Information Literacy	Conceptual

Section 1 - Operating a microcomputer

1. Using input/output devices, including keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer
2. Using external storage devices, including floppy and hard disks, CD-ROM, etc.
3. Starting a computer
   
   • User interface (Windows/MAC OS or equivalent): icons, buttons, pull-down menus
   • Creating, renaming and deleting a folder; copying, renaming, deleting files, and searching for files
4. Running application software; choosing a suitable software for a given task.
5. Logging off

1. Typing, printing and saving document
   • Fonts: type, size, bold, italics and underline
   • Printing: preview and print
   • Saving a document (doc, txt, rtf) on hard-disk or floppy disk
2. Editing
   • Retrieving an existing document
   • Correcting text: type, backspace, delete, enter, undo/redo
   • Changing line spacing
   • Justification (left, center, right, full) and pagination
   • Block moving, copying and deleting --- cut, copy and paste
   • Finding and replacing text
   • Footnoting
   • Spell checking
3. Transfer of data across related software
4. Chinese word processing: ability to create document with Chinese characters, using any methods including DaYi, ZhuYin, CangJie, or Quick Chinese input method. If you do not know any one of the above, you can use the Chinese writing tablet named 'PenPower Junior'. (This item may be exempted for postgraduate student whose native language is not Chinese.)

1. Spreadsheet concepts and terminology, including cell, row, column, worksheet, function and formula
2. Creating and saving a worksheet with text, numbers and formulas
3. Calculating in a worksheet
• Using functions and formulas
• Copying formulas
4. Drawing graphs: bar chart, pie chart and line chart
5. Transfer of data across related software
6. Retrieving and printing a worksheet

1. Making connections, including dialing-up, logging on/off procedures, and basic configurations
2. Electronic mail
• setting address book
• composing, sending, receiving, replying (or replying all) and forwarding mail
• sending and retrieving attached files
3. Concepts and terminology, including Internet, Internet browsers, Internet Service Provider (ISP), Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
4. Preparing for Internet access
• Using Internet browser, including searching and down-loading
• Using generic Internet search engines for web information; Use of keywords and bookmark
5. On-line library search, including books, journals and on-line databases.
6. Transfer of data across related software

1. Concepts and terminology, including presentations and slides
2. Creating, editing and saving a presentation which includes text, diagrams, pictures, sound or video
3. Transfer of data across related software
4. Running pre-developed presentations

1. Ethics in IT
   • Privacy
     • Data privacy
     • Data protection
   • Intellectual Properties
     • Copyright
     • Patent
     • Trademark
     • Piracy
   • Computer Abuse
     • Denial of Service (DoS)
     • Hacking
     • Worm, Virus, Trojan Horse
     • Spamming
   • Freedom of Expression
     • Netiquette
     • Free speech
     • Anonymity
       
       
2. Relevant Hong Kong Legislations
   • Computer Crimes Ordinance
   • Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance
   • Copyright Ordinance
   • Trademark Ordinance
   • Intellectual Property Law
     

1. Fundamental Concepts
   • Information Security Services
   • Threats to Information Security
   • Information Security Measures
     
2. Information Security Issues in Daily Computer and Internet Usage
   • World Wide Web
   • Electronic Communication (Email, Newsgroups, and Online Chats)
   • Operating System
   • Network Connection
     
3. Information Security Software
   • Antivirus Software
   • Personal Firewalls
   • Anti-Spyware
   • Anti-Spam
4. Information Security Policies and Practices
   • CUHK Information Security Policies
   • Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
   • Practices for Safe Computing
   • Physical Security

1. Types of Information Sources and Their Characteristics
   • Identify different types of information sources and their characteristics
   • How to match information needs with information sources
     
2. Effective Search Strategies
   • Finding background information
   • Identifying concepts and generating search vocabularies
   • Refning a topic
   • Basic search skills for electronic resources, including the use of
• Boolean Operators
• Proximity Operators
• Truncation and Wildcards
• Specific Field Searches
• Index and Thesaurus
  
3. Use of the Library Catalogue
   • Searching the Library Catalogue effectively
   • How to locate the resources
     
4. Use of Research Databases
   • Performing effective searches in research databases
   • How to locate the full-text of documents
   • Remote access to research databases
     
5. Use of the Internet
   • Searching the Library Catalogue effectively
   • Using search engines to find information
   • Using subject directories to find information
     
6. Evaluation of Information Sources
   • Basic evaluation criteria
   • Evaluating free Internet resources