IT Software Development Exam Thoughts.

[Captain]

I don't know about 82-85% for an A, last year the cut off for an A+ wass 85%, and the exam was easier this year.

I thought the cut for A was 85% last year  Meh, its all the same.  Im in year 11 and don't really know how the system works yet.

19/20 according to that web site, but Im 99% sure about that question being D, so I'd say 18/20.  100% for section B, and I'm confidant about section C.

Lol I don't get how it could be D. The b1245 is completely different to b4532. It must have been C

I hope it is C, cause thats what I chose.

You know the difference between random access and sequential? Well, look at the stucture of the diagram.



It implies that to access b4532, b1245 has to be read first.

I don't like the notation root\accounts\invoices\b1245\ but I can understand how it could be that.  Also root\accounts\invoices\ isn't a full path, IMO.

Its a stupid question.

[TheRisingTyrant]

What did you guys get for the images storage space per year? It was basic math but I think i screwed it up

60 Gigabytes.

http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/vceit/postmortems/2007sd/index.htm

Sections A and B are up.

Question 7
The full path to invoice b4532 is

A. invoices\b4532
B. accounts\invoices\
C. root\accounts\invoices\*
D. root\accounts\invoices\b 1245\

The others are just silly.

I did C too, but now I'm 99% sure it is D, this is because it looks like a sequential access structure now.

What did everyone else get?

It would still be wrong. The answer. The file name in the diagram was b1245 but the one in the question was b 1245. Notice the space!

[Captain]

What did you guys get for the images storage space per year? It was basic math but I think i screwed it up

60 Gigabytes.

http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/vceit/postmortems/2007sd/index.htm

Sections A and B are up.

Question 7
The full path to invoice b4532 is

A. invoices\b4532
B. accounts\invoices\
C. root\accounts\invoices\*
D. root\accounts\invoices\b 1245\

The others are just silly.

I did C too, but now I'm 99% sure it is D, this is because it looks like a sequential access structure now.

What did everyone else get?

It would still be wrong. The answer. The file name in the diagram was b1245 but the one in the question was b 1245. Notice the space!

I've got the question book right next to me, there is no space.  Don't ask me why there is on the web site.

[TheRisingTyrant]

oh thats gay

[principe]

I don't know about 82-85% for an A, last year the cut off for an A+ wass 85%, and the exam was easier this year.

I thought the cut for A was 85% last year  Meh, its all the same.  Im in year 11 and don't really know how the system works yet.

19/20 according to that web site, but Im 99% sure about that question being D, so I'd say 18/20.  100% for section B, and I'm confidant about section C.

Lol I don't get how it could be D. The b1245 is completely different to b4532. It must have been C

I hope it is C, cause thats what I chose.

You know the difference between random access and sequential? Well, look at the stucture of the diagram.

(Image removed from quote.)

It implies that to access b4532, b1245 has to be read first.

I don't like the notation root\accounts\invoices\b1245\ but I can understand how it could be that.  Also root\accounts\invoices\ isn't a full path, IMO.

Its a stupid question.

Oh yes I see where your coming from. Damn I didn't think about it that way. Hmmm, since they said the full path I thought it referred to as the file's actual directory on the hard disk. But yes I think you might be right. I haven't see a tricky question like this from VCAA.

[Captain]

Oh yes I see where your coming from. Damn I didn't think about it that way. Hmmm, since they said the full path I thought it referred to as the file's actual directory on the hard disk. But yes I think you might be right. I haven't see a tricky question like this from VCAA.

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong because I chose C too, but its more logical that D is correct, with the layout of the diagram.

[Fitness]

Found it relatively easy. Except the algorithm question and the new email question.

[Trigger_003]

Strawberry too... it makes more sense. On a screen size that big it would be hard to work with a touch screen for that type of data input.

If it was D, it should have specified that the file access was sequential. How do you think they would havewritten it if it was random access? There's no other way they could have presented the folder tree to indicate one over the other. I think I remember a question similar to this in the old IPM exams, and back then it was simply a case of file directories. I don't see why it would be any different this time.

[Trigger_003]

BAHAHA Q8 MC I did floating point instead of string - I didn't see the T.
Lol I agree with him for Q14... what was the point?

And Q3 as well... some of these questions were so simple they made me sit there for ages wondering if I'd missed a point. Anyone else?

I'm glad he put down customers too - that was a bit iffy. Essentially the system interacts directly with the drivers, and then they should have a process leading to the customer entity, but seeing as the drivers are just passing the information onto the customer I figured they could have been seen as part of the system...?

2c - didn't even think of his answer. I think I did recipe ingredients - number made should be quantities required... argh.

I never thought I'd see the day I'd have to write 'cake is not data' on a VCE exam :wink:.

[Captain]

BAHAHA Q8 MC I did floating point instead of string - I didn't see the T.
Lol I agree with him for Q14... what was the point?

And Q3 as well... some of these questions were so simple they made me sit there for ages wondering if I'd missed a point. Anyone else?

I'm glad he put down customers too - that was a bit iffy. Essentially the system interacts directly with the drivers, and then they should have a process leading to the customer entity, but seeing as the drivers are just passing the information onto the customer I figured they could have been seen as part of the system...?

2c - didn't even think of his answer. I think I did recipe ingredients - number made should be quantities required... argh.

I never thought I'd see the day I'd have to write 'cake is not data' on a VCE exam :wink:.

According to his answers, I can only see a total of 8 marks lost.  But I'm estimating about 9-14 marks lost, because I don't agree with all his answers.  

Expecially Section C, Q2, part A.  It has to be DFD C, not A.  The data flow of ingredients getting low is just a dead end.  It goes into the process, but nothing is done with the data.  Doesn't make sense.  Data going into a process, must be manipulated in one way, or another.

And yes.  Section B, Q3 I was just sitting there thinking "Have I missed something, this is too easy"

Strawberry too... it makes more sense. On a screen size that big it would be hard to work with a touch screen for that type of data input.

If it was D, it should have specified that the file access was sequential. How do you think they would havewritten it if it was random access? There's no other way they could have presented the folder tree to indicate one over the other. I think I remember a question similar to this in the old IPM exams, and back then it was simply a case of file directories. I don't see why it would be any different this time.

So your saying it was C? I was looking again today, and thinking it has to be C again.  If it was sequential it would be represented one after the other, instead of branched off like it is.

So I hope its C, cause thats what I chose.  Honestly, I'm just not sure about that question.

[Trigger_003]

Yeah I reckon it's C.

Hmm, I went A with that DFD so I hope he's right for my sake, but it's a good point you're making. It does say MOST CORRECT so that'd indicate that none of them are actually complete... that's actually one helluva ambiguous q!
My thinking was that 'ingredients getting low' was combined with the 'customer orders' to create the 'items to be baked' flow. Depending on the meaning of 'quantity required' in the data dictionary in the next question (which shouldn't need to be looked at to answer this q...) that might or might not make sense.

It's not clear whether 'baking requirements' also refers specifically to the requirements of new stock, or just the customer orders themselves. If it's not, it shouldn't even be there and you'd be right.

Urgh, I dunno, what a frustrating question!

[Captain]

Hmm, I went A with that DFD so I hope he's right for my sake, but it's a good point you're making. It does say MOST CORRECT so that'd indicate that none of them are actually complete... that's actually one helluva ambiguous q!
My thinking was that 'ingredients getting low' was combined with the 'customer orders' to create the 'items to be baked' flow. Depending on the meaning of 'quantity required' in the data dictionary in the next question (which shouldn't need to be looked at to answer this q...) that might or might not make sense.

It's not clear whether 'baking requirements' also refers specifically to the requirements of new stock, or just the customer orders themselves. If it's not, it shouldn't even be there and you'd be right.

Urgh, I dunno, what a frustrating question!

I don't see how ingredients getting low have anything to do with items to be baked.  You would think when ingredients are getting low, more should be ordered.

There was alot missing from those DFD's, and I honestly don't know anymore.  I just don't see where the data flow "Ingredients getting low" is going.

Its going to be really interesting to read the examiners report, when its released.

Also,

Section C, Q14

Question 14
As well as training, Michael suggests to Kayla that she should produce user documentation for the drivers to use while making deliveries. Kayla has several ideas.

Option 1 - Burn a video onto DVD so they can see what to do
Option 2 - Put help onto Flip Flop's new website
Option 3 - Print a quick guide that covers basic use of the software onto a card that can be put into their pocket
Option 4 - Electronic help manual with a search facility stored on the PDA

State which option is the best in this case and justify your answer. 4 marks 9 lines

I chose option 3.

I don't see how it could be option 2, even though the PDA's have wireless internet, the most effective way would be option 3.

Other thoughts on this question?

[principe]

Hmm, I went A with that DFD so I hope he's right for my sake, but it's a good point you're making. It does say MOST CORRECT so that'd indicate that none of them are actually complete... that's actually one helluva ambiguous q!
My thinking was that 'ingredients getting low' was combined with the 'customer orders' to create the 'items to be baked' flow. Depending on the meaning of 'quantity required' in the data dictionary in the next question (which shouldn't need to be looked at to answer this q...) that might or might not make sense.

It's not clear whether 'baking requirements' also refers specifically to the requirements of new stock, or just the customer orders themselves. If it's not, it shouldn't even be there and you'd be right.

Urgh, I dunno, what a frustrating question!

I don't see how ingredients getting low have anything to do with items to be baked.  You would think when ingredients are getting low, more should be ordered.

There was alot missing from those DFD's, and I honestly don't know anymore.  I just don't see where the data flow "Ingredients getting low" is going.

Its going to be really interesting to read the examiners report, when its released.

Also,

Section C, Q14

Question 14
As well as training, Michael suggests to Kayla that she should produce user documentation for the drivers to use while making deliveries. Kayla has several ideas.

Option 1 - Burn a video onto DVD so they can see what to do
Option 2 - Put help onto Flip Flop's new website
Option 3 - Print a quick guide that covers basic use of the software onto a card that can be put into their pocket
Option 4 - Electronic help manual with a search facility stored on the PDA

State which option is the best in this case and justify your answer. 4 marks 9 lines

I chose option 3.

I don't see how it could be option 2, even though the PDA's have wireless internet, the most effective way would be option 3.

Other thoughts on this question?

I said option 4 and justified that it was easier for the Drivers to have it in electronic file because they won't lose it and they can easily search for topics that they need. The documentation can also be easily updated and easily distributed through the Driver's PDAs, etc.

[Trigger_003]

Option 4 too. If they have their PDA, they'll have the help files. They can also add as much detail as they want because the search function can a llow for a detailed or less-detailed response as required.
Opt 1: Obviously not - no DVD drive.
Opt 2: Sure there's Internet connectivity, but they're not always going to be in range and the costs of access/dl's could be an issue, maybe... depends on the setup.
Opt 3: Pocket - how easy would that be to lose, leave at home, or accidentally put in the wash?