By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How to answer 0417/0983 Paper (1) Theory 80 marks weighted 40% Exam technique By : Raghed Bou Hamdan |Page1 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How to answer 0417 Paper (1) Theory A good examination technique You will have a more positive attitude to the examination if you feel you have prepared for it properly. A good examination technique will also improve your performance: o Read the instructions on the front of the examination paper carefully to make sure you know how many questions to attempt. o Read the questions very carefully, paying particular attention to words of instruction such as State or Describe or Explain or Show or List or Compare. o Carefully note the time available to complete the examination. Aim to divide up your time before you start. For example, if an examination is two hours long and contains eight questions that you should attempt, allow yourself about fifteen minutes for each question if each of the questions gives you roughly the same number of marks. You should aim to attempt all questions rather than spending all your time on a few. o Examination papers usually tell you how many marks are available for each answer. The number of marks gives you a guide to the importance of the question and often to the amount you ought to write. o Check before the end of the examination that you have not missed out any pages. Remember to turn over the last page, too. |Page2 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Try to leave time to check your work through carefully. o Students are Not Allowed to use Brand Names in Answers to certain questions o Try to allocate your time sensibly between questions , the marks given a questions will a give you a good guide as to how much to write and how long to spend on the question o Make sure you attempt all questions on the paper , if you leave gaps try to go back and fill them in at the end of the exam o Try to allow some time to check your answers and correct any mistakes o It is very important that you answer the exact question asked. Avoid including irrelevant information just because you have learnt it o Follow the instruction carefully , if you asked to give two reasons for something then given four will not gain more marks and you will waste your time o If the question asks to give an example you MUST give one to gain high marks o All questions mostly multiple choices, matching ,or short answer and some questions require long answer o Write your answer with readable handwriting o Highlight " Keywords" o Don’t use " INK PEN" when you write your answer o Imagine the answer in your mind and make brain storm before you answer |Page3 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- o In ( True/False ) or selection or draw or complete questions try to eliminating unrelated answers first |Page4 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keywords Make sure you understand what you have been asked to do before you start your answer. For example these key words help you to know how to answer a question and how much information to give. Name: You have to write down a short phrase answering the question. This is probably the only time a one-word answer would provide an acceptable answer, though you are advised to use a phrase wherever possible. Give : You usually have to provide the marker with more information than a single word statement. Describe: Generally requires sentences to be used. In addition to naming the answer you should go on to write a sentence or to show your understanding of the answer. You have to convince the marker of your ability to describe an answer that is appropriate to the question |Page5 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Give reasons/Explain : in general , means to write down why certain things happen as opposed to describing what happens, if you write about situation , even in great detail without giving reasons Why its happens will gain no marks Discuss: You usually have to write down both advantages and disadvantages to show both sides of an argument and then provide your conclusion. It must be clear what are considered to be the advantages and the disadvantages |Page6 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Examples Candidate response Question 1 (b) Describe, including their uses, the extra hardware that each worker will need to have in order to work from home. General comment Grade A candidates would be expected to gain full marks for this question. Grade C candidates would be expected to gain at least two marks and grade E candidates would be expected to gain one mark. The question required candidates to be able to describe the hardware and their uses. |Page7 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Examiner comment The candidate gained full marks for describing the uses of three items of hardware which would enable each worker to work from their home: • A printer to print out the documents. • A modem to connect to the internet to be able to send emails to colleagues. • Two items of hardware required for video conferencing – a web cam and microphone. Although the candidate did not mention broadband they were allowed the mark as they had expanded upon how they would use the internet. |Page8 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Examiner comment The candidate described the use of: ✓ A modem to access the internet to send emails to their colleagues. ✓ A mobile phone to communicate with the other translators. Again the candidate did not mention broadband but they were allowed the mark as they had expanded upon how they would use the internet. |Page9 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Examiner comment The candidate did not mention broadband and failed to mention how the work would be sent using the internet. A mark was gained for the use of the printer to print out translated documents. The mention of a memory stick was not relevant to the scenario of working from home as the use of such a device would need them to travel back and forwards to the office. Question 2 Faisal wants to remain in contact with his workers and has considered regular video conferences for this. He feels this would also enable him to check on their work. a) Describe the extra hardware which Faisal would have to provide for each worker to take part in a video conference. | P a g e 10 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Examiner comment: The candidate gave three good descriptions of a webcam, a microphone and speakers. | P a g e 11 By Raghed Bou Hamdan Cambridge ICT Tutor (0557323768) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Examiner comment The candidate gave good descriptions of microphones and speakers but the description of a webcam lacked appropriate detail. An accurate description of the hardware was required here. Webcams are used to input video not to see other participants. Examiner comment The candidate mentioned a modem but this was a required answer for question 1(b) and so it would be difficult to give credit for it twice. In the event the candidate did not mention broadband which would be essential for a video conference and the description of its use lacked any substance. | P a g e 12
