If we want to find a job in the world of information technology more easily or we want to certify our skills in order to be able to include them in the curriculum, we will have to acquire the ECDL, the European driving license for the use of computers . With this certificate officially recognized by CEPIS, it allows, through various exam levels, to acquire a diploma certificate with which the basic skills in the use of computers and networks can be certified, with the possibility of certifying also advanced skills (such as 2D and 3D graphics, advanced network management etc.) which can increase the chances of finding a job that has to do with computers and computer networks.
But if we wanted to prepare ourselves before the exam, what can we do "> Working in IT and technology: most sought after professions and average salaries
Download the lecture notes to prepare for the ECDL and ECDL Open Source exam
In order to study the theoretical part we can rely on numerous sites that make available the handouts to download for free both for the New ECDL and for the more advanced levels (such as ECDL Open Source and ECDL Experte), so that we can really prepare any type of examination.
In addition to indicating the sites where to download the material, we will also insert direct links for download so that we can use this site as a reference when we go to download material to prepare for the ECDL exam.
1) ECDL.it
The first site to check is also the official one of the project and can be reached from here -> ecdl.it.
From the page dedicated to the exam preparation it will be possible to download the handouts for the preparation of the ECDL Expert exam, to obtain samples of the handouts to prepare the ECDL Full Standard in addition to the training videos and the preparation program called SimulAtlas (for a fee).
From the official website we can also access the Kplace Learning Platform e-learning platform, where you can best prepare each type of exam and prepare yourself together with the other students and professors.
2) Mathematically
Another well-stocked site for ECDL preparation material at any level is the Mathematically site, whose exam page is accessible from here -> Mathematically ECDL .
On this page we can find all the essential modules for the preparation of the new ECDL, with the possibility to download the ebooks with the essential contents for each module.
Below we have collected all the modules that can be downloaded from the site, so that we can immediately access the material of our interest that we absolutely must study before taking any type of exam.
- New ECDL module 1: Computer essentials (Basic concepts and computer use)
- New ECDL module 2: Online Essentials (Internet basic concepts, e-mail etc.)
- New ECDL module 3: Word processing (Use of Word)
- New ECDL module 4: Spreadsheets (Using Excel)
- New ECDL module 5: IT Security (IT security and personal data protection)
- New ECDL module 6: Presentation (Presentations, Powerpoint)
- New ECDL module 7: Online Collaboration
At the moment there are two exams that we can take with ECDL: Basic and Full Standard and for each of them we have to download a different number of modules.
- To take the ECDL Basic exam we must read the modules from number 1 to number 4.
- To take the ECDL Full Standard exam we must read all the modules.
3) Open Source ECDL
A big news of ECDL exams is the appearance of the Open Source world with all the programs and operating systems that rotate in this environment.
If we really want to work in the IT sector, we will also have to prepare the exam to obtain the Open Source ECDL, which is divided into three exams: ECDL Open Source Base, Standard and Full Standard .
The lecture notes to prepare for this exam can be downloaded directly from the links below:
- ECDL Open Source module 1: Computer essentials
- ECDL Open Source module 2: Online Essentials
- ECDL Open Source module 3: Word processing
- ECDL Open Source module 4: Spreadsheets
- ECDL Open Source module 5: IT Security
- ECDL Open Source module 6: Presentation
- ECDL Open Source module 7: Online Collaboration
With these handouts we will be able to better prepare for the ECDL Open Source exam; we want to specify that the handouts on these topics are very similar to those seen for the classic ECDL exam but Ubuntu and Unity are used as the operating system and interface, LibreOffice for the section reserved for office programs and for online collaboration are instead, use Google's shared tools.
To take the various exams we will have to study on a certain number of modules:
- For the ECDL Open Source Base modules 1, 2 and 3 are sufficient
- For the ECDL Open Source Standard, modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 are sufficient
- Finally for the ECDL Open Full Standard we will have to download all the modules
If the handouts at the top have a certificate problem, we can overcome it without problems by using Mozilla Firefox as a browser and adding a security exception when requested from the browser window.
ECDL exam simulators
After studying so much theory, it's time to put your knowledge into practice before the exam date.
In order to perform free tests we can use simulators offered by some portals, which present a very valid alternative to the tools (paid) offered by the official ECDL website.
If the simulators go wrong, do not be discouraged and go back to studying the handouts to prepare the exam even better (we remind you that to pass the exam at least 75% of the correct answers are required).
1) Mathematically
The site Mathematically returns to the protagonist again, this time with the simulators to be able to brilliantly take each module of the exam.
The various module simulators can be used from the following links:
- New ECDL Module 1: SIMULATION 1 (Windows 7)
- New ECDL Module 1: SIMULATION 2 (Windows 7)
- New ECDL Module 2: SIMULATION 1 (IE10 and Gmail)
- New ECDL Module 2: SIMULATION 2 (IE10 and Gmail)
- New ECDL Module 3: SIMULATION (Word 2007)
- New ECDL Module 4: SIMULATION (Excel 2007)
- New ECDL Module 5: SIMULATION 1 (IT Security)
- New ECDL Module 5: SIMULATION 2 (IT Security)
- New ECDL Module 6: SIMULATION (PowerPoint 2007)
- New ECDL Module 7: SIMULATION (Online Collaboration)
Other simulators can be used by visiting the page already seen previously and which we propose here -> Mathematically Simulators .
2) InformaQuiz
Another site with simulators that you can use to prepare for the ECDL exam is InformaQuiz, whose simulators are available here -> InformaQuiz .
Simply click on the form we want to prepare for and start the test with 36 questions (very similar to the official exam).
We can configure the simulator to draw random questions or specific questions, so as to train ourselves on the concepts on which we have the most difficulties.
In order to use these simulators, the Flash Player plugin is required, therefore we strongly recommend using Google Chrome on the PC to not have any problems.
