Part 4 - Business Applications examination spreadsheet
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The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) will be adding new functionality to the April 2009 version of the Part 4 - Business Applications examination. The instructions and demos below will allow you to familiarize yourself with this added functionality prior to your test date. With in the essay based exam there will be an additional question that will allow you to capture your response in a spreadsheet format. This new functionality will make it easier for you to align columns of numbers and perform certain calculations that can sometimes be more difficult in an essay based format. The tool was created to resemble widely-used electronic spreadsheets, however; it does not have the same exact functionality of the spreadsheet products with which you may be familiar.
Throughout the practice below you will be given suggestions of which functionalities the ICMA would like you to become more familiar prior to your test date. You will be provided additional instructions on your test day during a tutorial session as well. Please note that the functionalities are limited in the spreadsheet within the exam. Please be sure to complete all the suggested scenarios before testing other functionalities of the tool.
On your date of testing, your performance will be graded on the information that you supply as it pertains to the scenario. All work entered on the spreadsheet will be captured and scored. The design or layout of your response will not be graded.
Spreadsheet Buttons
The following buttons will be available in your examination. The following paragraphs will show common scenarios that can be applied by using the buttons in the spreadsheet.
Using the Spreadsheet
You may use both the mouse and keyboard to navigate within the spreadsheet. The scroll bars to the right and bottom will allow you see additional columns and rows. Anything you enter into the spreadsheet will be recorded as part of your answer.
Resizing the Cells
The columns and rows can be resized by holding the cursor between the column or row. Hold down the left mouse button and move the column or row to the desired size. Release the mouse button when you are done.
Entering Text Into the Cells
To enter text in a cell, select that cell by clicking on it. Enter the text in the formula bar at the top of the spreadsheet. When you are finished press "Enter", select on a new cell, or click on the green check-mark button on the menu bar.
Please take the opportunity to test these functionalities.
Entering Formulas
To enter a formula into a cell, select that cell by clicking on it. You can type an equals (=) sign and your formula in the formula bar or you can select the fx button on the menu bar. If you choose to type the formula directly you must type an equals sign first. The formula will begin to auto-fill. Select the formula you wish to use fro the list.
Or, If you select the fx button, a pop-up menu will appear like the one below. Select the formula you wish to use from the two lists. Click on the formula. The formula will appear under the list. If this is correct, double click the formula in the list. The formula will auto populate in the formula bar. Complete the formula with the necessary values. Select Ok when done. The screen will return to the spreadsheet. Click enter on the cell with the formula to populate the results of the formula.
Please take the opportunity to test these functionalities.
Copy and Paste Functionalities
You can use the Copy and Paste buttons in the menu bar to copy data from cell to cell. You may also use this tool to copy a formula and apply it to additional cells and the coordinating cells as dictated in the formula.
Please take the opportunity to test these functionalities.
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