Helping you to understand exam questions

This presentation will help you to understand the following key words that are used in exam questions:Advantages/DisadvantagesCharacteristicsUses

Other key words include:State/Identify/GiveDescribeCompare/ContrastExplainDiscuss

It will help you to structure your revision notes.

It will help you understand how to construct your answers in exams.

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Describes the functions that make it what it is."

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Allows us to compare different aspects of a system when answering a question."

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Allows us to describe how users interact with something

The following section will look at what level of detail you will need to go into based on the question you are asked.

Now lets look at:State/Identify/GiveDescribeCompare/ContrastExplainDiscuss

The type of questions covered increase in difficulty. If you are aiming to get A-B grades youll be expected to hit the top end questions!

You could write, depending on the nature of the question:

A one word answerA phraseA sentence

These questions are usually worth only one mark.

For example,Q:What is data?A:Data is the raw facts and figures.

This is at least one sentence with an expansion or example.

This is a step up from the state, identify and give question.

For example,Q: Describe what is meant by data?A:Data is the raw facts and figures. It forms information when given context, meaning and structure. It could also be presented in different ways such as text, numerical or symbol.

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

IdentifyAmplifyExemplify

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspect

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspectExtension to your answer

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspectExtension to your answerExample for your answer

For example:

Question: (3.1.1 b)Describe what is meant by the term information

IdentifyIdentify a particular aspectInformation

AmplifyExtension to your answer

Made up of data, structure, meaning and context.

ExemplifyExample for your answer

Data: 231109Structure: dd/mm/yyMeaning: DateContext: The day this lesson is taught.

Question: (3.1.1 b)Describe what is meant by the term information

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspectExtension to your answerExample for your answerInformationMade up of data, structure, meaning and context.Data: 231109Structure: dd/mm/yyMeaning: DateContext: The day this lesson is taught.Information is made up of data, structure, meaning and context. For example, a piece of data (231109) can be given structure (dd/mm/yy) and meaning (date) and given a context (the day this lesson is taught). Without one of those aspects information can not be useful.

Describe questions are usually worth 2 marks. This means you typically only have to complete two columns.

To help you understand what columns to complete use the following guide:If the identifier is not given then complete Identify and AmplifyE.g. Describe a method of sending information across long distances.If the identifier is given complete Amplify and ExemplifyE.g. Describe how email could be used to send information across long distances.If the question is worth 3 marks chances are you have to complete all columns!

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspectExtension to your answerExample for your answer1YESYESNot required2Already givenYESYES3YESYESYES

Try using the writing frame to answer these questions:

Describe the terms static and dynamic data sources.

Describe a method of conveying information.

Describe what is meant by the term encoding.

Describe a specialist hardware device which would allow a blind person to input data into a computer system.

Describe how a macro could be used to assist a non-expert user interact with a computer system.3.1.1 - g3.1.1 - c3.1.1 - i3.1.2 - c3.1.3 - c

IdentifyAmplifyExemplifyIdentify a particular aspectExtension to your answerExample for your answer

These types of questions ask you to identify a factor that is common to both systems and describe it.

For example, you could compare the use of a sat nav with the use of online route finding software such as the route finder software on the AA website.

Common features include:Both systems can plan out the fastest route to a destination.One system can update the route if it picks up traffic reports (real time).The other system can not do this because it is an online service.

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

FeatureFirst itemSecond Item

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

FeatureFirst itemSecond ItemIdentify a feature

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

FeatureFirst itemSecond ItemIdentify a featureTalk about the feature for item 1

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

FeatureFirst itemSecond ItemIdentify a featureTalk about the feature for item 1Talk about the feature for item 2

For example:

Question: (3.1.6 h)Compare delivering a presentation using printed acetate and using a computer and projector.

FeatureIdentify a featureEquipment

Special Effects

...

Projector and ComputerTalk about the feature for item 1Need to have presentation material prepared in advanced. Need a projector and a bright flat surface to project information onto.Can have animations, slide transitions, movies and dynamic sound effects.

...

AcetateTalk about the feature for item 2Need to have presentation material prepared in advanced. Need a projector and a bright flat surface to project information onto.No special effects. Static presentation of information. Can have music but must be separate to the actual presentation....

Question: (3.1.6 h)Compare delivering a presentation using printed acetate and using a computer and projector.

FeatureProjector and ComputerAcetateIdentify a featureTalk about the feature for item 1Talk about the feature for item 2EquipmentNeed to have presentation material prepared in advanced. Need a projector and a bright flat surface to project information onto.Need to have presentation material prepared in advanced. Need a projector and a bright flat surface to project information onto.Special EffectsCan have animations, slide transitions, movies and dynamic sound effects.No special effects. Static presentation of information. Can have music but must be separate to the actual presentation.Presenting information on a projector with a computer and using acetate requires similar equipment and set ups. Both require that the presentation be prepared in advanced and both require a projector and a bright flat surface to project the presentation material on to. In terms of special effects, the computerised presentation is far superior because it can allow for a more dynamic experience. It allows features such as animations, movie and sound to be shown on the projected surface and also allows for sound to be incorporated into the presentation. Acetate only allows information to be displayed statically. Slide transitions are manual compared to a computerised presentation which can be both manual and automatic.

Try using the writing frame to answer these questions:

Compare the use of static information sources with dynamic sources.

Compare the advantages of direct data sources with the advantages of indirect data sources.3.1.1 - g3.1.1 - f

FeatureFirst itemSecond ItemIdentify a featureTalk about the feature for item 1Talk about the feature for item 2

When asked to explain something you will need to give a description of a system and justify how and why it performs the way it does.

For example, you may be asked to explain why email is better than fax.

You would need to compare and contrast the two and then provide a justification for your answer.

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

PointsExpansionReason

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

PointsExpansionReasonIdentify a feature

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

PointsExpansionReasonIdentify a featureThis is a describe with a comparison.

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

PointsExpansionReasonIdentify a featureThis is a describe with a comparison.This is where you justify your answer.

For example:

Question: (3.1.6 h)Explain why email is better than fax.

PointsIdentify a feature

Security

ExpansionThis is a describe with a comparison.Both systems allow you to send data across large distances.Both provide different methods of accessing that data.Email requires you to log in to a secure inbox.Fax machines tend to sit in the middle of an office.

ReasonThis is where you justify your answer.

Fax: prints when fax is received where anyone who walks past can pick it up.Email: User must log into their inbox to get their email. They can also be encrypted meaning if they are intercepted they are virtually impossible to decipher without the encryption key.

Explain why email is better than fax.

PointsExpansionReasonIdentify a featureThis is a describe with a comparison.This is where you justify your answer.SecurityBoth systems allow you to send data across large distances.Both provide different methods of accessing that data.Email requires you to log in to a secure inbox.Fax machines tend to sit in the middle of an office.Fax: prints when fax is received where anyone who walks past can pick it up.Email: User must log into their inbox to get their email. They can also be encrypted meaning if they are intercepted they are virtually impossible to decipher without the encryption key.Both systems allow you to send data across large distances but provide different methods of accessing that data. Email requires you to log in to a secure inbox whereas fax machines tend to sit in the middle of an office. When a fax machine receives a fax it prints it off where anyone who walks past can pick it up. Email is securer because in order to access the email the user must log into their inbox. Also, emails can be encrypted meaning if they are intercepted they are virtually impossible to decipher without the encryption key. Email is better than fax because it provides users with a more secure way of sending and receiving sensitive data.

Try using the writing frame to answer these questions:

Explain the benefits of an organisation using a house style.

Explain the needs of a secretary when using standard/generic applications software.3.1.3 - g3.1.3 - j

PointsExpansionReasonIdentify a featureThis is a describe with a comparison.This is where you justify your answer.

This type of question is the daddy of all questions (worth the most amount of marks) and usually appears once or twice in the exam paper.

It is usually an essay question that should take you about 20 minutes to write.

You will need to discuss the impact and consequences of something, with at least one advantage and disadvantage and include a conclusion.

In a past paper this question was asked:Discuss the impact that ICT has had on airline travel.

Good answers chose a topic and looked at the advantages and disadvantages and concluded their answer.

Bad answers listed out as many things as they could!

To help you answer these questions you could use the following writing frame:

Describe+ve or veImpactConsequencesOr a point of view.This is the effect. How does it relate to me?

Immediate impact.

E.g. House is on fire and burns down I have to run out quickly!What happens as a result of the impact?

Long term.

E.g. I have to find a new house to live in.

Discuss the impact of ICT on airline travel.The way you write your answer would determine how many marks you are likely to receive.0-3 (Low Band) | 4-7 (Middle Band) | 8-11 (High Band)

DescribeSecurity cameras which are able to xray you safely.

+ve or vePositive:Impossible to hide any weapons on you as they clearly show up on the xray machine.Negative:Invasion of privacy as a stranger is able to see you naked in the scanners.

ImpactAirport security able to move passengers through security at a greater rate compared to when they needed to enforce stop and search procedures.

ConsequencesImprovement in airline security but could cause problems for some people, especially in some religions. Would it be right to have two security systems in place or should there be only one?

The specification lists out what you need to know.

Look at what words they use

If it says you should be able to describe somethingyou wont be expected to have to explain it in the exam.

You might get a question that asks you to state, identify or give though.

You should create a writing frame for all the topics in the specification.

You can download this from the OCR website by clicking on this link.

Alternatively, you can download a spreadsheet version by clicking on this link.