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Information Technology – 2008 HSC Specimen Examination Sample Marking Guidelines

Section II

Question 16(b)

Competencies assessed: ICAU2013A

Marking Guidelines

Criteria	Marks
Outlines an appropriate method for incorporating the data into the database	2
Identifies one method but does not provide characteristics	1

Sample answer:

The spreadsheet can be saved in a file format other than its native format, which is then able to be imported into a database.

Question 16 (d)

Competencies assessed: ICAU2013A

Marking Guidelines

Criteria	Marks
Identifies a mail merge as an efficient method and outlines the correct processes to enable this to happen	3
Outlines the correct processes to enable this to happen without mentioning mail merge OR Identifies mail merge but only outlines some of the correct processes to enable this to happen	2
Identifies mail merge OR Outlines some of the correct processes to enable this to happen	1

Sample answer:

Use a mail merge with a word-processed document that includes references to the fields from the database and text that will appear on each letter. As each letter is produced it combines the information from the database with the repeated text to produce the individual letters.

Section III

Question 22

Competencies assessed: ICAS3031A, ICAW2002A, ICAU2231A

Marking Guidelines

Criteria	Marks
Addresses all components of the question Provides a cohesive, well-reasoned response that reflects a high level of organisation, judgement, synthesis and problem-solving skills Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of IT functions with reference to the scenario used in the question Consistently uses precise IT terminology to a professional level Communicates in the manner required by the question consistently using standard industry formats	13–15
Addresses most components of the question Provides a cohesive and well-reasoned response showing significant organisational and problem-solving skills Demonstrates a detailed understanding of IT functions with reference to the scenario used in the question Uses precise IT terminology to a level acceptable in industry Communicates in the manner required by the question using standard industry formats	10–12
Addresses most components of the question Provides a response displaying some organisational and problem-solving skills Demonstrates a basic understanding of IT functions with limited reference to the scenario used in the question Uses basic IT terminology Communicates in the manner required by the question using elements of industry formats	7–9
Addresses some components of the question Provides a response displaying limited organisation and problem-solving skills Demonstrates a limited understanding of IT functions Uses some IT terminology Communicates in the manner required by the question using few elements of industry formats	4–6
Addresses minimal components of the question Provides a response displaying limited organisation Communicates in the manner required by the question using few elements of industry formats	1–3

Answers could include:

Differences between operating system software and application software

• Operating system software is software that the computer will first look for when it boots up as this software supervises the overall operation of a computer, including such tasks as monitoring the computer’s status, and scheduling of operations.
• Application software on the other hand is designed and written for a specific personal, organisational, or processing task, such as writing a letter. Each task that you require a computer to carry out may in fact be handled by a different piece of application software.

Is the application software appropriate?

• Not all application software can be installed on your workstation.
• It is written with a particular task in mind and in some cases with a particular operating system also in mind.
• Application software may be written for a particular platform or operating system but may require the very latest version of that particular operating system.
• Make sure you determine the minimum operating system requirements that your particular application software needs before attempting to install this software.

Management of copyright

• Depending on the type of licence you have purchased with the software, you may only be able to install it on one workstation or on every workstation within your organisation.
• If you are found to be engaging in the unauthorised copying of software you may be liable to disciplinary or legal action.
• Before installing any application software on your workstations you must seek advice from your supervisor or the IT support within your organisation to determine the appropriate course of action.

Problems that may occur during installation

• Most workstations will only allow users who have logged on in an administrator capacity to install software.
• If the installation process indicates that it cannot find a particular file needed then possibly either the disk is faulty or not clean, which is preventing the installation process from reading that particular sector or track.
• Some applications have different system requirements from the workstation on which they are being installed. Check the application software package to ascertain the minimum system requirements that are needed.