Ministry of Education

Revised Test Blueprint for the National Exit Examination

to be held in 2016 E.C

Band: One

Program: - Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and

Engineering

Compiled By:
1. Zeleke Abebaw, Ph.D, Assistant Prof., Addis Ababa Science and Technology
University. Email: zeleke.abebaw@aastu.edu.et
2. Ayenew Yifru, Lecturer, Adama Science and Technology University. Email:
ayuyazi@gmail.com

March, 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

2. Objective of Exit Exam ...................................................................................................... 2

3. Graduate Profile .................................................................................................................. 3

4. Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 3

4.1. General objective/Outcome ......................................................................................... 3

4.2. Specific objectives/Outcome ....................................................................................... 3

5. Themes and list of courses with credit hours ..................................................................... 5

6. Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in percentage (%) ...................................................... 6

7. Course to Learning Domain Mapping ................................................................................ 7

8. Blueprint Table ................................................................................................................... 8

9. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 12

10. Annex: Naming of equivalent courses in the three universities ................................... 13

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1. Introduction

The field of computing has widely influenced science, engineering, business, education, and
many other areas of discipline. In today’s world almost everyone is using computers in their
day to day activity. From smartphones and televisions to guidance systems, computing
continues to be present in human life. This computing landscape offers students many new
career opportunities. For those who are working in industry and government, computing is and
will continue to be an essential component. The computing disciplines need to attract quality
students from a broad and diverse cross-section of the public and prepare them to be capable
and responsible professionals. Currently, we are adapting competency-based learning and
evaluation for undergraduate programs in public and private universities. Competency requires
demonstration of human behavior with knowledge and skills. In general terms, one can think
of competencies as the qualities an individual must possess to be effective in a job, role,
function, task, or duty. Higher educations in Ethiopia offers different computing fields to meet
the manpower of the country in the area of computing. Computer Science and Engineering is
one of these fields which is a five year engineering program. Computer Science and
Engineering curriculum is designed to offer high-quality basic and advanced courses to help
students obtain broad knowledge, skill and attitude.

In order to improve the quality of graduates produced by higher learning institutions, the
Ministry has announced the implementation of exit exam for all undergraduate program
students (public and private), beginning with the 2022/2023 academic year. The exit exam
aimed to evaluate students’ required knowledge, skills and attitudes. To implement this, it
requires determining competency areas for a specific program. With this regard, the
competency areas for Computer Science and Engineering program was prepared in 2022/23.
In addition, this revised blue print document is prepared in March 2024 considering three
universities Computer Science and Engineering curriculums (Adama Science and Technology
University (ASTU), Bule Hora University (BHU), and Mekele University (MU)).

The next step in the overall process of exit exam is planning a test. It is vital step in the
construction of an achievement test. An achievement test demands very systematic and careful
planning. Tests are the tools that provide scores that measure level of student learning outcomes
of the program. In order to achieve the valid and reliable measurement of student learning and
program learning outcomes, the development of valid and reliable test is the mandatory. With

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this aspect the test blueprint of Computer Science and Engineering has been prepared. The test
aims to measure student performance in all dimensions of knowledge, skill and attitude. The
blueprint contributes to the improvement of the overall quality of the test in terms of content
validity, difficulty level, and discrimination power and test reliability. In short, this test
blueprint of Computer Science and Engineering helps to ensure tests:
 Appropriately assess the achievement of instructional objectives of the course;
 Appropriately reflect key course goals, objectives and the material learned or covered
during the instruction period; and
 Include the appropriate item formats along with the knowledge, skills and attitude being
assessed.
The rest of this test blue print of Computer Science and Engineering document comprises of
objective/significance of test blueprint preparation, expected profile of the graduates,
objectives, themes and list of courses with credit hours, blueprint table and conclusion.

2. Objective of Exit Exam

The national Computer Science and Engineering exit exam prepared by the Ministry of
Education shall have the following objectives:

 Produce skilled and competent work force for the national and international work
market in the program,
 Assess students’ educational achievement in major areas/themes of Computer Science
and Engineering (CSE) program,
 Ensure whether the graduation profile of CSE curriculum has achieved learning
domains of knowledge, technical skills, and attitudes in Computer Science and
Engineering working environment,
 Improve public trust and confidence in Computer Science and Engineering graduates
in their professional’s activities,
 Facilitate the efforts of students to revise the core learning outcomes of the courses that
will be covered by the exit examination, and
 Ensure all graduates from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) satisfy the requirements
of the labor market and employability through the national wide implementation of
competency-based exit exam in the program.

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3. Graduate Profile

This exit exam is expected to measure the Computer Science and Engineering graduates’
knowledge, skill and attitude. Graduates will be able to:

 Understand the principles in computing, engineering, science, and mathematics to

address complex problems.
 Familiar with computer science theory and computer system development
fundamentals for generating computing solutions.
 Apply principles in designing, implementing, and assessing computing or engineering
solutions to meet specified requirements, while considering various factors such as
public health, safety, and global impacts.
 Capable in developing and conducting experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions
using engineering judgments.
 Function effectively in a team, either as a member or a leader, nurturing collaboration,
inclusivity, goal setting, task planning, and objective achievement.
 Enhance legal, ethical, and professional principles governing Science and Engineering
practices.
 Communicate effectively within the computing and engineering community through
research and innovation practices.
 Apply new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies as necessary.

4. Objectives

4.1. General objective/Outcome

The general objective of the Computer Science and Engineering program is to equip students
with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and problem-solving attitudes necessary to
innovate, design, and develop computing solutions across various domains.

4.2. Specific objectives/Outcome

The following list depicts the learning outcomes for Computer Science and Engineering
program:

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 Understand basic programming concepts such as variables, control structures, and
functions.
 Explain the meaning and significance of key concepts and theories in computer science
and engineering.
 Breakdown complex problems into smaller components and analyze their relationships.
 Apply basic algorithms and problem-solving techniques to solve different
computational and complex problems.
 Utilize programming languages and tools to implement solutions to given
computational problems.
 Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of algorithms and data structures in solving
problems.
 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to solve computational
problems critically.
 Compare and contrast various software development methodologies and their
suitability.
 Design and implement system architectures that meet specified requirements and
constraints.
 Develop detailed plans and specifications for implementing software and hardware
solutions, considering factors such as scalability, performance, and security.
 Design and implement digital circuits using hardware description languages.
 Implement software systems based on design specifications using state-of-the-art
programming languages and tools.
 Identify emerging trends and technologies in Computer Science and Engineering.
 Explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches for solving complex
computational problems.
 Design and implement AI-based solutions for on-going societal problems using
supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms.
 Implement security measures such as authentication, access control, encryption, and
intrusion detection and prevention measures for potential cyber security incidents.
 Design and implement distributed algorithms and protocols for communication.
 Design and implement lexical analysis, parsing, semantic analysis, and code generation
phases in compiler design.
 Assess, evaluate and mitigate security risks in physical and virtual networked
environments.

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5. Themes and list of courses with credit hours

In the Computer Science and Engineering competency areas, themes, courses, course and
theme credit hours have been identified. The identified themes and list of courses with credit
hour have been shown in Table 1.

 Theme: Refers to the overarching thematic areas of the curriculum.

 Courses: Lists the specific courses within each thematic area.
 Credit Hr.: Indicates the number of credit hours assigned to each course.
 Theme Credit HR: Represents the total credit hours allocated to each thematic area.

Table 1. Themes and list of courses with credit hours

Theme Courses Credit Theme

Hr. Credit HR
Programming and Fundamentals of Programming 3 9
Algorithms Data Structures & Algorithms 3
Object Oriented Programming 3
System Development Database Systems 4 7
Fundamentals of Software Engineering 3
Computer Microcomputer & Interfacing 3 13
Architecture and OS Operating Systems 3
Digital Logic Design 4
Computer Architecture & Organization 3
Computer Data Communication and Computer 4 10
Networking and Networks
Security Computer Systems Security 3
Distributed Systems 3
Compiler and Compiler Design 3 3
Complexity
Intelligent Systems Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3 3
Total 45 45

This table provides a structured overview of the curriculum, organizing courses into thematic
areas and ensuring a balanced distribution of credit hours across different aspects of computer
science and engineering exit examination themes.

NOTE: These courses are chosen based on an analysis of the curricula from the three
universities and the essential competencies of the program. Additionally, the credit hours
assigned to each course are calculated by averaging the credit hours across the three universities
(i.e., ASTU, BHU and MU).

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6. Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in percentage (%)

The respective shares of each theme and course in percentage has been calculated based on the
formula. The following table lists each theme and course share with respect to the department
exit exam.

Table 2: Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in percentage (%)

Theme Theme Courses Credit Course

Share Hr. Share
(%) (%)
Programming and 20.01 Fundamentals of Programming 3 6.67
Algorithms Data Structures & Algorithms 3 6.67
Object Oriented Programming 3 6.67
System Development 15.55 Database Systems 4 8.88
Fundamentals of Software 3 6.67
Engineering
Computer 28.89 Microcomputer & Interfacing 3 6.67
Architecture and OS Operating Systems 3 6.67
Digital Logic Design 4 8.88
Computer Architecture & 3 6.67
Organization
Computer 22.22 Data Communication and 4 8.88
Networking and Computer Networks
Security Computer Systems Security 3 6.67
Distributed Systems 3 6.67
Compiler and 6.67 Compiler Design 3 6.67
Complexity
Intelligent Systems 6.67 Introduction to Artificial 3 6.67
Intelligence
Total Theme Share 100 Total Course Share 45 100

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7. Course to Learning Domain Mapping

The following table maps a list of courses with their learning outcomes in three learning
domains; knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Table 3: Course to Learning Domain Mapping

No Course Title Credit Knowledge Skill Attitude

Theme
Hour
1 Fundamentals of 3 √ √
Programming
2 Object Oriented 3 √ √ √ Programming and
Programming Algorithms
3 Data Structure and 3 √ √
Algorithms
4 Database Systems 4 √ √
System Development
5 Fundamentals of 3 √ √ √
Software Engineering
6 Digital Logic Design 4 √ √
7 Computer Organization 3 √ √
and Architecture Computer
8 Operating System 3 √ √ Architecture and OS
9 Microcontroller & 3 √ √
Interfacing
10 Data Communication 4 √ √
and Computer
Computer
Networking
Networking and
11 Computer Systems 3 √ √
Security
Security
12 Distributed Systems 3 √ √ √
13 Compiler Design 3 √ √ Compiler and
Complexity
14 Introduction to 3 √ √ √
Intelligent Systems
Artificial Intelligence

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8. Blueprint Table
Table 4.Test Blueprint Specification for BSC in Computer Science and Engineering
Learning outcomes
Cognitive

Share of items in %
Name and
Share of the Credit Learning outcomes

Creation/Synthesis
Courses in % hour

Understanding
Themes and

Remembering

Psychomotor
Application
Share of the

Evaluation

Affective
themes in %

Analysis
Fundamentals 3 Describe the basics of programming syntax and 1 1 - - - - - -
of semantics.
Programming Use control flow structures and functions to solve a - - 1 1 - - - -
6
(6.67 %) given problem.
Write programs using standard language infrastructure - - - - - 1 - 1
regardless of the hardware or software platform.
Object Oriented 3 Discuss the object oriented programing concepts such 1 1 - - - - - -
Programming Programming as data abstraction, encapsulation, information hiding,
and Algorithms (6.67%) inheritance and polymorphism.
Explain the difference between object oriented and - 1 - 1 - - - - 7
(20.01 %) procedural programming
Design, implement, and test GUI based applications to - - - - - 1 1 1
solve real a world problems
Data Structures 3 Analyze the performance of different algorithms in - - - 1 1 - - -
and Algorithm terms of time and space complexity.
(6.67 %) Propose an appropriate data structure algorithm for - - - - 1 1 - 1
efficiently and effectively solving computational 7
problems.
Evaluate and use suitable sorting, searching, and - - 1 - 1 - - -
hashing to tackle computational problems.

8
 Fundamentals Explain software development processes. - 1 - - - - - -
of Software 3 Discuss about the software requirement engineering - 1 - - - - - -
Engineering processes, methods, tools and techniques.
(6.67 %) Apply object oriented design models to develop - - 1 - - - 1 1
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different software documentation.
Evaluate software testing and maintenance with - - - - 1 - - -
respect to software implementation and version
System
control.
Development
Describe basic concepts of database systems, models 1 1 - - - - - -
Database 4 such as entity relationship diagrams (ERD) and
(15.55 %)
Systems relational database.
(8.88%) Apply principles of minimization redundancy in a - - 1 1 - - - 1
database, normalization theory for database design. 9
Apply SQL commands to create, update and operate a - - - - - 1 - 1
relational database.
Create a database system by using the 3-Schema - - 1 - - - - 1
architecture.
Digital Logic 4 Distinguish the analog and digital systems and apply - 1 - - - - - -
Design positional notations, number systems and computer
(8.88%) codes in digital systems.
Apply Boolean algebra and Karnaugh maps to - - 2 - - - - 1 8
simplify and design logic circuits.
Apply the concept of combinational and sequential - - 2 - 1 - - 1
Computer circuits in designing a digital system.
Architecture Computer 3 Illustrate various elementary concepts of computer 1 1 1 - - - - -
and OS Organization & architecture including, syntax of register transfer
(28.89%) Architecture language, micro operations, instruction cycle, and
(6.67%) control unit.
7
Describe the design of basic computer with instruction - 1 1 - - - - -
formats & addressing modes
Interpret the concepts of pipelining, multiprocessors, - - - 1 - - - 1
and inter processor communication
Operating 3 Describe the fundamental concepts of a computer - 1 - - - - - -
7
System operating systems.

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 (6.67%) Analyze various scheduling, deadlocks, memory - - 1 1 - - - -
management, process synchronization, system calls,
and file management techniques.
Evaluate how operating system handle processes and - - - 1 1 - - -
threads, and their communication
Implement fundamental OS structures, including - - - 1 - - - 1
Processes, system calls, scheduling, virtual memory,
and file systems
Microcontroller 3 Explain the general construction of microcontroller - 1 - - - - - -
& Interfacing system.
(6.67%) Compare microprocessors and microcontroller. - - 1 - - - - -
Understand the programming and interfacing - 1 1 - - - - -
7
techniques of 8086 microprocessor
Explain the architectures of 8086 microprocessors - 1 - - - - - -
Analyze the basic concepts and programming of ARM - - - - 1 - - 1
microcontroller
Data 4 Identify basic concepts, principles and applications of 1 1 - - - - - -
Communication data communication and computer networking.
and Computer Apply protocols in layered architecture (OSI and - - 1 1 - - - 1
Networks
8
TCP/IP)
(8.88 %) Design and implement a network using - - - 1 1 - - 1
classless/classful IP addressing and sub-netting.
Computer 3 Explain the fundamentals concepts of security - 1 - - - - - -
Computer Systems protocols.
Networking and Security Explain network vulnerabilities and attacks, defense - 1 - 1 - - - -
Security (6.67%) mechanisms against network attacks, and
(22.22 %) cryptographic protection mechanisms. 7
Describe the importance of network principles and - - - 1 - - - -
architecture to security operations.
Evaluate cryptographic techniques/algorithms to - - 1 - 1 - 1 -
maintain security in networked systems.
Distributed 3 Discuss theoretical concepts of distributed systems. - 1 - - - - - -
System (6.67%) Examine how modern distributed systems meet the - - - - 1 - - - 7
demands of contemporary distributed applications.

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 Apply distributed algorithms for synchronization - 1 1 - 1 - - -
and concurrency, coordination, transactions,
replication and fault tolerance.
Utilize core distributed algorithms to address - - - - - - 1 1
challenges encountered in developing distributed
systems.
Compiler 3 Discuss about the phases of compilation, structures of - 1 - - - - - -
Design compilers and compiler construction tools.
(6.67%) Explain the use of metadata in run-time - - - 1 1 - - -
representations of objects and activation records.
Compiler and - - 1 - - - - 1
Demonstrate the generation of lexical analyzer using
Complexity 7
lexical analyzer generator tool.
(6.67 %)
Use formal grammars to specify syntax of languages - - - - 1 - - -
and declarative tools to generate parsers.
Generate the low-level code for calling functions in - - - - - - - 1
modern languages.
Introduction to 3 Discuss the basic principles of AI. - 1 - - - - - -
Artificial Identify various AI search algorithms. - - 1 - - - - -
Intelligent Intelligence Apply knowledge representation, reasoning, and - - 1 - 1 - - -
Systems (6.67 %) 7
machine learning techniques to solve real world
(6.67 %)
problems.
Develop a simple knowledge-based system. - - - - 1 - 1 1
Total Number of Items 5 20 20 13 15 4 5 18 100
Share of domain in % 77% 5% 18% 100%

Key: In the cells/boxes there are numbers that indicate the number of items that correspond to the levels of domains.
𝑎
o Share of themes (T) = 𝑥100, Where “a” is the credit hour of a theme and “b” is the total credit hour of the program. Credit hour of a theme is the sum of
𝑏
credit hours of courses in the theme.
𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒
o Share of courses per program (C) = 𝑥100
𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
o Share of items per course = 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑋 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠
o We also consider theme total credit hours to set the total questions in the course.

NOTE: In Table 4, for some of the courses approximation is used to make the total number of items 100.

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Table 5. Calculation of share of themes, courses and items from a total of 100 test items for
Industrial Engineering program.

Themes Course Credit Weight of Number of Cognitive

Name hour course or test items

Psychomotor
Understand
Remember
proportion from each

outcomes
Learning

Affective
Evaluate
Analyze
course

Create
Apply

Total
Theme One 1 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20= 6.67 1 1 1 1 - 1 - 1 6
2 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20=6.67 1 2 - 1 - 1 1 1 7
Share = 20 3 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20=6.67 - - 1 1 3 1 - 1 7
items from Theme one 9 2 3 2 3 3 3 1 3
the total total credit
Theme Two 1 3 3/7 = 0.43 0.43*15= 6.43 - 2 1 - 1 - 1 1 6
2 3 4/7 = 0.57 0.57*15= 8.55 1 1 2 1 - 1 - 3 9
Theme two 7
Share = 15 total credit
items from
1 3 3 1 1 1 1 4
the total
Theme Three 1 4 4/13 = 0.31 0.31*13= 8.99 - 1 4 - 1 - - 2 8
2 3 3/13 = 0.23 0.23*13= 6.67 1 2 2 1 - - - 1 7
Share = 29 3 3 3/13=0.23 0.23*13= 6.67 - 1 1 3 1 - - 1 7
items from 4 3 3/13=0.23 0.23*13= 6.67 - 3 2 - 1 - - 1 7
the total Theme three 13
total credit 1 7 9 4 3 - - 5

3Theme Four 1 4 3/10 = 0.4 0.4*22= 8.8 1 1 1 2 1 - - 2 8

2 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22= 6.6 - 2 1 2 1 - 1 - 7
Share = 22 3 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22= 6.6 - 2 1 - 2 - 1 1 7
items from Theme Four 10
the total total credit 1 5 3 4 4 - 2 3

Theme Five 1 3 3/3 = 1 1*7= 7 - 1 1 1 2 - - 2 7

Share = 7 Theme Five 3
items from total credit - 1 1 1 2 - - 2
the total
Theme Six 1 3 3/3 = 1 1*7= 7 - 1 2 - 2 - 1 1 7
Share = 7 Theme Six total 3
items from credit - 1 2 - 2 - 1 1
the total
Total for the program 45 5 20 20 13 15 4 5 18 1
0
0

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9. Conclusion

Exit exams can play a critical role to produce knowledgeable, skilled, and emotionally mature
graduates. As a quality check for efficiency, it helps to prepare graduates who are competent.
It also contributes to the effectiveness and quality of academic programs. It can set up a
framework for collaboration across academic programs in different universities to work
together to raise the caliber of the programs.

In order to achieve the graduation profile, competency, and learning outcome of 2016 E.C.
graduating students, core courses were selected and exit exam competencies were identified.
Then, this test blueprint of Computer Science and Engineering program has been developed
for uniform distribution of exam questions based on identified competency focus areas and
core courses of the program from the three universities.

10. Annex: Naming of equivalent courses in the three universities

List of selected courses for Exit Exam from the three universities
No ASTU BHU MU
1 Fundamentals of Programming C++ Programming Programming in C
2 Data Structures & Algorithms Data structures and Algorithm Data Structures
Design
3 Object Oriented Programming Basic Java Programming OOP with C++
4 Database Systems Fundamentals of Database Database Management
Management Systems
Systems
5 Digital Logic Design Digital Logic Design Digital Logic Design
6 Computer Architecture & Computer Architecture & Computer Architecture &
Organization Organization Organization
7 Data Communication and Data Communications and Data Communications,
Computer Networks
Computer Networks Computer Networks
8 Fundamentals of Software Software Engineering Software Engineering
Engineering
9 Introduction to Artificial Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Intelligence
10 Operating Systems Operating Systems Operating Systems

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11 Computer Systems Security Cryptography and Network Cryptography and Network
Systems
Security
12 Distributed Systems Distributed Systems Distributed Systems
13 Microcomputer & Interfacing Microprocessors and Microprocessors,
Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers
14 Compiler Design Compiler Design Compiler Design

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