Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet & Database Level 1 study plan

Build a reference sheet mapping relative, absolute, and mixed references to what changes when copied across rows versus columns

Construct and debug formulas that mix arithmetic operators, parentheses, and cell references across two worksheets

Configure the application interface deliberately: name box, formula bar, status bar totals, and sheet tab navigation

Diagnose five deliberately broken formulas and write the corrected version plus the cause of each error

Apply core statistical functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTBLANK, MIN, MAX, MEDIAN) to a single dataset and verify each against a manual count

Use logical functions (IF, AND, OR, nested IF) to classify records into at least three categories

Implement lookup with VLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH on the same lookup table and compare behavior on approximate versus exact match

Trace and resolve common error values (#N/A, #VALUE!, #DIV/0!, #REF!, #NAME?) using the Evaluate Formula tool

Write formulas using SUMIF, SUMIFS, COUNTIF, and COUNTIFS with multiple criteria ranges

Apply text functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID, TRIM, CONCATENATE or TEXTJOIN) to clean and split imported name and code fields

Apply date functions (TODAY, DATE, YEAR, MONTH, DAY, DATEDIF or equivalent) to compute elapsed periods

Format a worksheet for presentation: number formats, custom formats, conditional formatting rules, freeze panes, and print area

Build a one-variable and a two-variable data table to test outcomes across input ranges

Run Goal Seek to solve for a required input and document the starting values and result

Create column, line, and pie charts from the same dataset and select the correct chart type per question intent

Add and format axis titles, data labels, legends, and a secondary axis on a combo chart

Interpret a trendline and its R-squared value in plain language

Define primary keys, foreign keys, and candidate keys for a three-table scenario and justify each choice

Normalize a flat, unnormalized record set into second and third normal form and list the anomalies removed

Identify one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relationships and resolve the many-to-many with a junction table

Create a scenario summary or Solver model with stated constraints and interpret the sensitivity result

Write SELECT statements with WHERE, ORDER BY, and DISTINCT against a provided table structure

Write queries using INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN and explain the row-count difference between them

Use aggregate functions with GROUP BY and HAVING and distinguish HAVING from WHERE

Build a parameter query and a calculated field in the database tool, then compare it with the equivalent SQL

Write INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements inside a transaction and roll back to confirm reversibility

Create tables, define data types, and set validation rules and required fields at the table level

Import a CSV file and fix delimiter, encoding, and data-type mismatch problems without manual re-entry

Export a query result to CSV and to the spreadsheet application, then verify row counts match the source

Apply data validation rules in the spreadsheet (list, whole number, date range, custom formula) and test rejection of bad input

Detect and remove duplicate records using both the database query approach and the spreadsheet deduplication feature

Complete two full-length timed practice sets under exam conditions and log every missed item by domain

Re-drill the three weakest domains until missed items in each fall below one in ten

Recite from memory the reference-type, normalization, and JOIN rules without consulting notes

Review a personal error log and rewrite each corrected rule in your own words