EXHIBIT 23.1



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the National  Computer Systems 1990 Employee
Stock Option Plan of National  Computer Systems,  Inc. and subsidiaries,  of our
report  dated  March  15,  1995  with  respect  to  the  consolidated  financial
statements of National Computer Systems,  Inc. and subsidiaries  incorporated by
reference in its Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1995
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota


January 22, 1996