I might add that you are expected to be able to use Excel - the exam is not technology neutral on this count (you are expected to know and apply Excel formulas as candidates did this year).
Regarding databases, the exam is supposedly technology-neutral (but not your SACs), but you'll find that there tends to be an Access-bias in the wording of the questions. In any case, you will be expected to know the theories behind database design and apply them.
For those who are keen on getting started during the summer holidays on the more technical areas of IT:A, here are some texts I would suggest hunting down:
- Parsons, Oja, Ageloff & Carey, New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Excel 2003, Comprehensive (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technology)) 2nd Edition (Paperback)
- Adamski and Finnegan, New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2003, Comprehensive (New Perspectives (Paperback Course Technology)) 2nd Edition (Paperback)
These are university-level texts, but I found them to be very easy to read (even though I never personally used them, Glockmeister derived plenty of use from them), probably because they were designed to prepare candidates for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification and thus needed to be somewhat accessible. You obviously won't need all the content, so it would be prudent if you asked your teacher what areas of both technologies you will cover (or do the lot for enrichment).