Topics you're expecting to appear on the I.T Apps exam?

[lala1911]

For the past two years the spreadsheet/RDBMS questions have been fairly consistent, involving the more basic formulas and functions.

Do you think this year they will make the I.T Apps exam harder or follow the same routine as they usually do?

I'm sort of expecting;
- Harder SS/RDBMS questions
- Normalisation question(s)
- Networks/hardware questions in the short answer component (they are usually in MC)

[Aaron]

I would definitely expect a normalisation question of some sort to appear on this year's exam as well. Many students last year (including myself) struggled with this question, and from the assessment report it's evident (from the mark distribution for that particular question).

[lala1911]

I would definitely expect a normalisation question of some sort to appear on this year's exam as well. Many students last year (including myself) struggled with this question, and from the assessment report it's evident (from the mark distribution for that particular question).

Yup. To even it out a bit, do you think there should also be a question on spreadsheets just to make it fair to the students who favour spreadsheets over databases? You can tell that I hated databases. 

[Aaron]

Yup. To even it out a bit, do you think there should also be a question on spreadsheets just to make it fair to the students who favour spreadsheets over databases? You can tell that I hated databases. 

I personally think it should stay how it is (i.e. you are given a choice). Some schools could do both the practical SAC's using RDBMS - since Unit 3 only has the option to do databases, and in Unit 4 you are given the option to either do spreadsheets/RDBMS so it would be unfair in some way to only have a question on spreadsheets.

In some way it depends on the question and how best to answer it. I found last year when I did the exam, some questions were easier to answer using databases (e.g. queries) over spreadsheets, and vice versa (my personal opinion, anyway). Of course you have to make a decision for that particular part and stick with it, but you could approach it as a 'i'll decide on the day' (which means extra study for both ) or have it thought out before hand which one you're going to use throughout.

[lala1911]

True. I meant if a normalisation question was to be included, then I think a spreadsheet related question should be included. Yeah, it does vary, but databases were a pain for me. Not even sure how I managed a B without completing my queries! xD

[Aaron]

True. I meant if a normalisation question was to be included, then I think a spreadsheet related question should be included. Yeah, it does vary, but databases were a pain for me. Not even sure how I managed a B without completing my queries! xD

If you are more confident with spreadsheets, I think that's the best way to go. No point stressing out over Databases if they aren't your cup of tea. That's the best thing, you get a choice so you can respond to the questions according to your strengths.

I never really understood normalisation at all myself, my teacher was horrible (I know, excuses ).

[nosuperstar]

I too reckon there should be a choice between spreadsheets and RDBMS as per usual.
Definetley expecting normalisation, it's actually an easy concept once I learnt it, it's just that teachers don't really go over it or explain it in much depth.
Also possibly another website mockup related question, generally easy too.

[MJRomeo81]

Yup. To even it out a bit, do you think there should also be a question on spreadsheets just to make it fair to the students who favour spreadsheets over databases? You can tell that I hated databases. 

Considering RDBMS and Normalisation is a key point on the study design, I think it should stay the way it is.

Normalisation is essential to understand for any IT professional. Nearly every application has a database backend. Too many developers mistakenly think of a DB as just a massive data dump. Too many horror database stories out there. Normalisation is simply a must to learn.

I would complete the 2011 and 2012 past papers. The questions will differ but the topics remain the same. Go through each one systematically and make sure you understand each and every topic.

[texroy]

Best of luck to everyone sitting the IT Apps exam next week!

I think they will do an RDBMS/Spreadsheet split again, because it's part of the study design to choose. Obviously it would be screwing over those who did Spreadsheet if only RDBMS was assessed, as the spreadsheet students would've spent one unit learning something that would become irrelevant.

One thing a few people sometimes forget to look over are the laws pertaining to IT. Generally these are M/C questions, although I seem to recall it being in last years extended response? Maybe someone who has done last years VCAA paper can confirm/deny this.

[Aaron]

Best of luck to everyone sitting the IT Apps exam next week!

I think they will do an RDBMS/Spreadsheet split again, because it's part of the study design to choose. Obviously it would be screwing over those who did Spreadsheet if only RDBMS was assessed, as the spreadsheet students would've spent one unit learning something that would become irrelevant.

One thing a few people sometimes forget to look over are the laws pertaining to IT. Generally these are M/C questions, although I seem to recall it being in last years extended response? Maybe someone who has done last years VCAA paper can confirm/deny this.

Yes, last year's exam contained a 1 mark question that related to the legislation for an online music store in the extended response section.

[WeaponX]

I would definitely expect a normalisation question of some sort to appear on this year's exam as well. Many students last year (including myself) struggled with this question, and from the assessment report it's evident (from the mark distribution for that particular question).

I think that it was just a horrible question, rather than a lack of knowledge on the students behalf. I really struggled just comprehending what the question was asking, rather than not knowing what to write. It might appear again this year, but for all you guys doing it's sake, I hope they write a better one that the atrocity that was Q9 in the 2012 VCAA paper.

[lala1911]

For the 9markers, does our description of a Spreadsheet or RDBMS need to be the exact same as the ones on the examiners criteria sheet? I don't think I'll be able to properly work out a suitable solution under time constraints, so my worksheets/columns may be a bit edgey. As long as I get the dotpoints correct (e.g the best selling item for 6 months) will I still get some marks?

And, if I get my description pretty much completely wrong, will I get any consequential marks? Are they able to mark it as a whole and give something like 3/9 if someone got it wrong but still showed familiarity with Spreadsheets or RDBMS?

[Aaron]

For the 9markers, does our description of a Spreadsheet or RDBMS need to be the exact same as the ones on the examiners criteria sheet? I don't think I'll be able to properly work out a suitable solution under time constraints, so my worksheets/columns may be a bit edgey. As long as I get the dotpoints correct (e.g the best selling item for 6 months) will I still get some marks?

And, if I get my description pretty much completely wrong, will I get any consequential marks? Are they able to mark it as a whole and give something like 3/9 if someone got it wrong but still showed familiarity with Spreadsheets or RDBMS?

Yes, as long as those dot points answer the question and are relevant then you will get some marks. Highly doubt full marks however. The more effort, the higher the result. If i recall correctly I didn't draw/sketch out any worksheets or anything, but explained how in detail (used all the space on both pages + a bit extra). I didn't review my exam so I'm not quite sure how I went on the 9-marker (got an A overall though).

I would say the descriptions do not have to be exactly the same. Again, as long as they get to the point and answer the question clearly and correctly. Examiners are looking to give you marks, remember.

Perhaps someone who reviewed their exam could comment regarding this?

[MJRomeo81]

For the 9markers, does our description of a Spreadsheet or RDBMS need to be the exact same as the ones on the examiners criteria sheet?

And, if I get my description pretty much completely wrong, will I get any consequential marks? Are they able to mark it as a whole and give something like 3/9 if someone got it wrong but still showed familiarity with Spreadsheets or RDBMS?

Your answer doesn't have to be the "suggested solution". Multiple solutions generally exist for these types of questions.

The question is essentially about solving an information problem so examiners won't be too kind if you ignore the description and instead write a page about how referential integrity will help the business.

I strongly recommend reading the comments in the assessors report for the last two years. The examiners clearly indicate how they expect this particular question to be answered.