EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of National Computer Systems,  Inc. of our report dated March 6, 2000,  included
in the 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders of National Computer Systems, Inc.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in:

Registration Statement No. 33-9830 on Form S-3 (Selling Shareholder),
Registration  Statement  No.  33-21511 on Form S-8 (1986  Employee  Stock Option
Plan),
Registration  Statement No.  333-00377 on Form S-8 (1989  Non-Employee  Director
Stock Option Plan),
Registration  Statements  No.  33-48509 and 333-00381 on Form S-8 (1990 Employee
Stock Option Plan),
Registration  Statement  No.  333-00379  on Form S-8 (1990  Long-Term  Incentive
Plan),
Registration  Statement No.  33-48510 on Form S-8 (1992  Employee Stock Purchase
Plan),
Registration  Statement  No.  33-68854  on  Form  S-8  (Option  held  by  former
director),
Registration  Statement No.  333-00383 on Form S-8 (1995  Employee  Stock Option
Plan),
Registration  Statement  No.  333-25523 on Form S-3 (VUE Selling  shareholders),
Registration Statement No. 333-25343 on Form S-8 (NCS/VUE Stock Option Plan),
Registration Statement No. 333-51053 on Form S-8 (Oswald Stock Option Plan),
Registration  Statement  No.  333-58947  on Form S-8 (1997  Long-Term  Incentive
Plan),
Registration  Statement No.  333-58949 on Form S-8 (1998 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan),
Registration  Statement No.  333-58951 on Form S-8 (1997  Employee  Stock Option
Plan), and
Registration   Statement  No.  333-75165  on  Form  S-8  (Supplemental  Deferred
Compensation Plan)

of our report  dated March 6, 2000 with  respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements of National  Computer  Systems,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  incorporated
herein by  reference  in this Annual  Report  (Form  10-K) of National  Computer
Systems, Inc. for the year ended January 29, 2000.

                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 25, 2000