Hands-on Theory 2018 Notes from Roadshow feedback sessions & theory markers

General notes & tips for the CAT Theory paper

 Do NOT leave out any question. Guess if you have to.
 Number your questions correctly and start each main question on a new page.
 Be careful of NOT questions. It wants the opposite.

Short questions (Section A - Q1, 2, 3)

 Answer this first - on folio paper - not on the boxes
 If you don’t know - guess! However, never put more than one answer e.g. 1.4 A/C - then neither will be
marked even if your first choice was correct
 Multiple choice – guess if you don’t know – you have a 25% chance of being right.
 Q3 - True/False questions
o If you don’t know, guess all TRUE
o No marks are awarded for FALSE - you only get a mark for the correct term
o Change the underlined word to make the sentence TRUE e.g.
o Q: A printer is an example of an input device. A: FALSE: output

Long questions (Q4 – 10)

 In the past markers continued marking after your first answers. This has changed and now markers
may only look at the first two facts/answers for a two mark question. For this reason, writing in
paragraphs, rather than bullets, is now recommended since you don’t limit yourself as much with e.g.
the first two bullets.
 Leave a line open between every single question - even 4.1.1 and 4.1.2
 Be careful not to write in different styles as this can be considered another learner’s writing.
 If you answer a question in a different place than normal (e.g. an answer at the end of the paper that
you left out earlier/decided to improve) please indicate this where the answer would have been - make
a note that it is on e.g. page nr 12.
 Answer ALL sections of a question – especially if there is more than one point in a question. e.g. Name
this AND support it.
 Handwriting is important – if the marker can’t read, he/she will probably not mark the question.
 Let yourself be guided by the number of marks – one mark per fact.
 Never give one word answers – answer in sentences, but to the point.
 ALWAYS give a reason if you give an answer – this will ensure your mark. If you give an
advantage/disadvantage, state WHY you say that.
 Question 4, 9 and 10 counts the most marks (25 marks each). After completing Section A (Q1, 2, 3)
consider answering these questions first, before you carry on with Q5, 6, 7 & 8.
 Identify your weak spot and leave that question for last. The questions are always in this order:
o Question 4: System Technologies
o Question 5: Internet & Network Technologies
o Question 6: Information Management (always answer this from the perspective of the PAT)
o Question 7: Social Implications
o Question 8: Solution Development (i.e. questions about the practical work)
o Question 9 & 10: A mixture of all of the above, based on a very specific scenario

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Hands-on Theory 2018 Notes from Roadshow feedback sessions & theory markers

Notes on identifying what the question is asking

● Don’t rush through reading the question. Read it a second time if necessary. The most common
mistake learners make, is to misunderstand the question and answer something completely
irrelevant to the question.
● Take note of exclusions. This gives you an idea of the type of answer they want, but you can’t use
this answer yourself. What are the advantages of … other than … State TWO ways … besides …
● Identify key words and underline them. Be extra careful of questions in Section C (Q9 & 10). You
have to stick to the scenario - lead your answer with reference to the scenario.

How long should your answer be

QUESTION WORD WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Point out or show both similarities and differences between things or concepts.
Note that stating the same fact in opposite form, won’t earn you another mark.
Compare
E.g. SSD is more expensive per GB, HDD is cheaper per GB will only get one
mark

Define Give a clear meaning of the concept

State in words (using diagrams where appropriate) the main points of a

Describe
structure/process

To calculate something, or to discover the answer by examining evidence (such as

Determine
looking at an advert and being asked to make a decision)

Differentiate Use differences to qualify categories

Explain/Discuss Give a clear, detailed description of the focus topic

Identify Name the essential characteristics

Illustrate Give examples to demonstrate or prove something

Justify Give clear, detailed reasons for taking a particular position

Name/List Write a list of items, with no additional detail

Mention Refer to relevant points

State/Give Write down information without discussion

Recommend/Suggest Give your opinion and back it up with facts, reason or an explanation
Adapted from https://www.x-kit.co.za/study-help/understanding-question-words

Common mistakes & words you should never use

● Never use words such as easier, better, faster, cheaper, more effective etc. without providing an
explanation on WHY you’re saying it is easier, better, faster etc. Give specific examples or explain how it
is different/compare it to something similar. e.g. Blu-Ray has more storage space than DVD.
● Assume the marker is not a computer person. Be very specific & use proper computer terminology.

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Hands-on Theory 2018 Notes from Roadshow feedback sessions & theory markers

What you write (no marks) What you should write (to earn marks)

Q: What effect will it have if you replace a laptop’s harddrive with an SSD?

The computer will be faster ❌ The performance of the computer will improve because an
SSD’s data-transfer rate is higher. ✔️

Q: How will a barcode scanner improve a store’s productivity?

It will be better ❌ It will be better BECAUSE they can work faster than typing it by
hand ✓ and make less mistakes (higher accuracy) ✔️

Q: Suggest TWO ways to fix a mouse pointer that moves in an unpredictable way, without replacing the
mouse.

Install driver ❌ Re-install the driver for the mouse ✔️

Charge batteries ❌
Re-charge batteries / replace batteries ✔️
Charge mouse ❌ (not possible)

Q: Suggest a way to improve battery life on a laptop.

Set the brightness ❌ Set the brightness lower ✔️

Q: State a disadvantage of using Bluetooth to connect devices in a home area network (HAN).

It is slow ❌ The data transfer speed of Bluetooth is slow ✔️

Q: Give TWO examples of biometric devices.

Voice recognition ❌ Microphone for voice recognition ✔️

Q: State TWO ways in which websites or Internet services allow you to regain access to your existing
account if you have lost your password.

Email and SMS ❌ Ask to reset your password by registered email ✔️

Send a message/code to registered cellphone number ✔️

Q: Computers can be controlled remotely by criminals. Give ONE example of a criminal or malicious task
these groups of computers may perform.

Steal information ❌ Phishing ✔️

 Don’t confuse data (which turns into information after processing) and data used for mobile
connectivity.
 Mobile data does not equal cap - cap is a certain cut off point - it’s not the same as data.
 Don’t blame every problem on a virus. If it could be caused by malicious software, call it malware - a
virus is just a subtype of malware.

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