EXHIBIT 5


                        [Dorsey & Whitney LLP Letterhead]



National Computer Systems, Inc.
11000 Prairie Lakes Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota  55344

                  Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to National Computer Systems, Inc., a
Minnesota  corporation  (the  "Company"),  in  connection  with  a  registration
statement  on Form S-8  relating to the sale by the Company from time to time of
up to 15,874 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value $.03 per share, of
the  Company.  The Shares will be issuable  upon the  exercise of stock  options
granted pursuant to the Company's  NCS/VUE 1994 Stock Option Plan (as amended to
date, the "Plan").

                  We  have  examined  such  documents  and  have  reviewed  such
questions  of law as we  have  considered  necessary  and  appropriate  for  the
purposes of the opinions set forth below.

                  In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the
authenticity of all documents  submitted to us as originals,  the genuineness of
all  signatures  and the  conformity  to authentic  originals  of all  documents
submitted  to us as copies.  We have also  assumed  the legal  capacity  for all
purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties
to agreements or instruments  relevant hereto other than the Company,  that such
parties had the  requisite  power and  authority  (corporate  or  otherwise)  to
execute,  deliver  and  perform  such  agreements  or  instruments,   that  such
agreements or  instruments  have been duly  authorized  by all requisite  action
(corporate or  otherwise),  executed and delivered by such parties and that such
agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable  obligations of
such parties.  As to questions of fact material to our opinions,  we have relied
upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials.

                  Based on the foregoing,  we are of the opinion that the Shares
have been duly authorized and, upon issuance,  delivery and payment  therefor in
accordance  with the terms of the Plan,  will  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
nonassessable.

                  Our  opinions  expressed  above are limited to the laws of the
State of Minnesota.

                  We hereby  consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement.

Dated:  April 15, 1997
                                               Very truly yours,
                                               /s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP


JLS