Basic Computer Skills Test

The Basic Computer Skills Test is a free beginner-level, 15-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests basic computer skills employers expect — using the operating system, files and folders, browsing, email and staying safe online, and everyday word processing, spreadsheet and video-call tasks. Score 70% or more on its 15 questions to earn a verifiable Basic Computer Skills certificate (SOA-BCS). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Word help & learning (Microsoft Support), Microsoft 365 documentation (Microsoft Learn), Top tips for staying secure online (UK NCSC) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Read the three skill areas on this page, then take the 15-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Basic Computer Skills certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Word help & learning (Microsoft Support); Microsoft 365 documentation (Microsoft Learn); Top tips for staying secure online (UK NCSC); Introduction to computational thinking (BBC Bitesize); Excel functions (alphabetical) (Microsoft Support); Gmail Help (Google). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

Three skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Computer and File Basics (Operating system, Files and folders and Keyboard and mouse); Internet, Email and Online Safety (Browsing and search, Email and Security and privacy); Office Apps and Productivity (Word processing, Spreadsheets and Video calls and printing). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Office job applicant, Retail and warehouse applicant, Older worker returning to work, Student and Customer service applicant. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Basic Computer Skills skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Yes. The Basic Computer Skills Test is free and covers all of these: 15 scenario questions in 15 minutes, each answer explained with the source it comes from, so it works as interview and exam practice. It isn't a full course, so use the areas you miss as your study list. Scoring 70% or more earns a verifiable certificate.

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

15 questions — 5 from each of 3 skill areas — with a 15-minute limit. You need 70% (11 of 15) to pass and 90% for distinction.

We rate it Beginner: no experience needed: fundamentals and clear reasoning. It has 15 scenario questions — 5 from each of 3 skill areas — and a 15-minute limit. You need 70% (11 of 15) to pass and 90% for distinction.

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.