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 Oswald  Stock Option Plan of National
Computer Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries,  of our report dated March 2, 1998 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, 1998 filed with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                      ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 22, 1998