Exam prep

Know what's coming

The exam

Final examination / assessment, as stated in the official syllabus. Ask a senior or your exam office for a past paper to confirm the question pattern.

Graded A+ (85-100) to E (0-24) on a 12-step scale; GPA is credit-weighted (5 credits per course unit).

Practice

Until we have a past paper, practise with the topic quizzes and the likely questions below. Write each essay answer by hand, then check it against its frame.

Mixed quiz and flashcards

Likely questions

Written by us from your syllabus, not copied from any exam paper. Tap one to open its sheet.

Short answers

Distinguish between data and information.Unit I Convert 1011011₂ to decimal.Unit I What is MICR? Where is it used?Unit I What is meant by volatile memory?Unit I What is a device driver?Unit II Give two examples of special purpose software.Unit II What is mail merge?Unit II What is an absolute cell reference? Give an example.Unit II What is a protocol? Give an example.Unit III What is a WAN? Give an example.Unit III Distinguish between a hub and a switch.Unit III What is a URL?Unit III What is a primary key?Unit IV What is a validation rule? Give an example.Unit IV What is an entity? Give an example.Unit IV Name two database management systems.Unit IV What is ransomware?Unit V Define phishing.Unit V What is a firewall?Unit V What is software piracy?Unit V What is a transaction processing system (TPS)?Unit VI What is an extranet?Unit VI What is economic feasibility?Unit VI What is SaaS? Give an example.Unit VI

Structured questions

Convert 200₁₀ into binary, octal and hexadecimal.Unit I Compare impact and non-impact printers, with examples.Unit I Explain the machine cycle of the CPU.Unit I Distinguish between a compiler and an interpreter.Unit II Distinguish between general purpose and special purpose software, with examples.Unit II Explain the four main objects of a Microsoft Access database.Unit II Distinguish between circuit switching and packet switching.Unit III Explain the client-server model with a diagram.Unit III Explain how an email is sent and received.Unit III Distinguish between the file-based approach and the database approach.Unit IV Explain the steps in creating a database.Unit IV Explain the functions of a DBMS.Unit IV Distinguish between a virus, a worm and a trojan horse.Unit V Explain two-factor authentication with an example.Unit V Explain the privacy issues a business faces when collecting customer data.Unit V Distinguish between an MIS and a DSS.Unit VI Distinguish between the internet, an intranet and an extranet.Unit VI Explain the benefits and risks of cloud computing for a business.Unit VI

Essay questions

Explain the basic operations of a computer with the help of a diagram.Unit I Discuss the input and output devices used in a modern business.Unit I Discuss the types of storage devices used in computers, with their advantages and limitations.Unit I Explain the functions of an operating system.Unit II Discuss how Microsoft Word and PowerPoint can be used in a business office.Unit II Explain how Excel and Access help a business manage and analyse its data, with examples.Unit II Explain data communication and discuss the transmission media used in networks.Unit III Explain the main network topologies with diagrams, advantages and disadvantages.Unit III Discuss the internet and web services that a business can use.Unit III Explain the relational database concept with an example.Unit IV Draw an ER diagram for a small retail shop and explain its components.Unit IV Explain one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many relationships, and how each is turned into tables.Unit IV Discuss the types of internet and network attacks and security threats faced by a business.Unit V Discuss the safeguards a business can use against security threats and attacks.Unit V Discuss the ethical and privacy issues in using information technology in business.Unit V Explain the types of information systems used at different levels of a business organisation.Unit VI Explain how a business should assess the viability of introducing a new ICT solution, referring to the SDLC.Unit VI Discuss recent developments in computer technology and future trends, with business examples.Unit VI

Answer frames

How to lay out a long answer, with a write-up check. 24 frames so far.