Office Solutions Development

8 May 2019

Marking Scheme
This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of
model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a
question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is
correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.

If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials
should be the first authority.

Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.

Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure
that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
 Answer ALL questions

Marks
Question 1

a) Identify FOUR (4) types of multimedia software that could be used to support 4
advertising by an organisation.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• Image editing software
• Video editing software
• Audio editing software
• Recording software
• Presentation software
• Animation software
• Blog creation software

b) Choose THREE (3) types of multimedia software that you identified in Question 3
1 a). How could they be used to support advertising of an organisation?
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.
• Image editing software could be used in the creation of images/photos
for use on the organization’s website/in the organization’s publicity
documents
• Video editing software could be used for use on the organization’s
website/ included on a slideshow
• Audio editing software could be used for use on the organization’s
website/ included on a slideshow
• Recording software could be used in the production of
advertisements/podcasts for the organization
• Presentation software could be used to produce slideshows to be
played on the organization’s website
• Animation software could be included in slideshows
• Blog creation software could be used to create a blog for the
organization

c) Recommend THREE (3) types of application software for a manager to use when 3
staff training.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• Simulation
• Expert systems
• Virtual reality
• Presentation
• Spreadsheet
• Desktop publishing/word processing

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 2

a) Describe FOUR (4) characteristics of stock control software. 5

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• It enables the maintenance of stock levels
• It enables automatic reordering of items when minimum stock levels
have been reached
• It enables look up for delivery times for items that have been ordered
• It enables searches for supplier’s details
• It records of when ordered items are due to be delivered
• It enables Just in Time (JIT) ordering/items being ordered when
required.
• It enables the production of lists of items in stock
• It enables the production of lists of suppliers
• It holds information on minimum and maximum stock levels
• It enables notification of when minimum stock levels are reached
• It enables stock records to be updated when deliveries of items are
made
• It enables stock levels to be predicted
• It enables reports of sales of items to be produced
• It facilitates the price or description of an item to be changed

b) Identify FIVE (5) work sectors that are supported by stock control software. 5

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Car industry
• Chemical plants
• Retail/supermarkets/shops
• Catering
• Education
• Health services
• Beauty industry
• Agriculture
• Horticulture

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 3

a) State FIVE (5) examples of how an organisation can benefit from involving some 5
of their users in developing features and functions of application software.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.
• The end user has knowledge/understanding of user requirements
• The end user has knowledge/understanding of the organisation’s
business requirements
• The end user can develop software features that meet user
requirements
• The end user can develop software features that meet the organisation’s
business requirements
• Existing application software can continue to be used while the software
features are being developed
• The involvement of the end user could result in greater user/job
satisfaction
• Staff morale could improve as a result
• Productivity in the organisation should improve as job satisfaction
improves
• Staff could feel more involved in the development process if they are
consulted by their colleague
• It could save the department/organisation money.

b) Describe FIVE (5) features of application software that is user friendly. 5

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• The software is easy to learn/understand/recall/clear
• It is concise
• Guidance and support is available/easy to understand
• It is easy to navigate
• It is accessible
• It is easy to interact with/intuitive
• It is efficient/works as expected
• The language is clear and understandable
• information should be accurate and up-to-date
• The text should be easy to read/accessible
• The graphics should be are relevant
• The layout should be consistent
• Feedback, such as error messages, should be clearly presented/dealt
with effectively

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 4

a) Describe FOUR (4) ways that word processing software could support the day to 4
day work in an organization.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• Facilitate the creation of documents/reports/letters, etc.
• Facilitate creation of documents that project a corporate identity
• Facilitate the creating of templates, which saves time
• Support advanced features/functions/macros
• Facilitate the import of spreadsheets/graphics, etc.
• Content control can be added to documents
• Facilitate sharing of documents
• Facilitate review/collaboration on documents
• Automate documents
• Productivity could be enhanced due to automation of documents

b) Recommend THREE (3) types of review tools that a student would find useful 3
when using word processing software.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• Spelling and grammar check
• Thesaurus
• Word count
• Research
• Translate
• Language
• Track changes

c) Suggest THREE (3) tasks that a user could perform to improve the usability of 3
word processing software.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• Customisation of toolbars
• Customisation of menus
• Automation of features/use of macros for formatting
• Automation of features/use of macros for data entry.
• Merging of letters/ labels, etc.
• Use of styles

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 5

a) Identify FOUR (4) statistical functions that spreadsheet software provides. 4

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• MAX
• MIN
• AVERAGE
• AVERAGEIF
• AVERAGEIFS
• MEDIAN
• MODE
• MODE.SNGL
• MODE.MULT
• COUNT
• COUNTA
• COUNTBLANK
• COUNTIF
• COUNTIFS
• RANK
• RANK.EQ

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 Marks
b) Explain the roles of TWO (2) of the statistical functions that you identified in 2
Question 5 a).

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks.

• MAX - returns the largest value from a list of numbers
• MIN - returns the smallest value from a list of numbers
• AVERAGE - returns the average from a list of numbers
• AVERAGEIF - calculates the average of the cells in a range that satisfy
criteria
• AVERAGEIFS - Calculates the average of the cells in a range that satisfy
multiple criteria
• MEDIAN - returns the middle value of a list of numbers
• MODE - returns the most frequently occurring value from a list of
numbers
• MODE.SNGL - returns the most frequently occurring value from of a list
of numbers
• MODE.MULT - returns a vertical array of the most frequently occurring
values in an array/range of data
• COUNT - returns the number of numerical values from a set of
cells/values
• COUNTA - returns the number of non-blanks from a set of cells/values
• COUNTBLANK - returns the number of blank cells from a range
• COUNTIF- returns the number of cells in a range that satisfy criteria
• COUNTIFS - returns the number of cells in a range that satisfy a set of
criteria
• RANK - returns the statistical rank of a given value within an array of
values
• RANK.EQ - returns the most frequently occurring value of a list of
numbers. If more than one value of a list of numbers has the same rank
the top rank of the set is returned

c) Describe FOUR (4) examples of how a PivotTable in a spreadsheet can support 4

business processes.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• It enables data to be counted
• It enables data to be totalled
• It enables data to be sorted
• It enables data to be summarized
• It enables data to be extracted
• It enables data to be reorganized
• It helps decision-making
• It helps to improve the functionality of a spreadsheet
• It aids analysis/summary of data
• It facilitates creation of reports
• It facilitates data forecasting
• It facilitates data calculation

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks

Question 6

a) Identify FIVE (5) methods that a database user could utilise to ensure that they 5
enter data accurately.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• Data validation rule
• Drop down list
• Lookup table
• Interactive form
• Message box
• Error message

b) Explain how each of the methods that you have identified in Question 6 a) assists 5
the entry of data into a database.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• Data validation rule: the value of data that is entered is checked against
a set of rules that ensure the data entered is acceptable
• Drop down list: allows a value to be chosen from a list/a user can select
data from a list of options
• Lookup table: it checks that data entered into a field corresponds to one
of the entries in a list of acceptable values
• Interactive form: a user can provide an answer to a question and their
answer can result in another question/various types of questions are
included, e.g. check boxes, etc.
• Message box: is used to display instructions/help/feedback
• Error message: is used to display feedback/alerts

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 7

a) Outline THREE (3) benefits of applying a macro to a data entry form. 3

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• It could enable a value for the control, field or property to be set
• It could enable a dialogue box that could prompt the user for additional
information
• It could enable a dialogue box that could inform the user of errors that
they make

b) Describe THREE (3) reasons to include comments when creating a macro. 3

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• They provide information
• They describe the macro code
• They ensure that macro code can be understood
• They are useful if the macro is developed further
• They ensure that macro code can be maintained with ease if updated by
another developer

c) Recommend FOUR (4) tasks that a user should undertake to protect their work 4
from problems associated with malicious macros.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• Appropriate security levels should be set
• Macros should not be enabled if they are from an unknown or untrusted
source
• Care needs to be taken with attachments if they are from an unknown or
untrusted source
• Configure all macros, except digitally signed macros, to be disabled
• Configure all macros to be disabled with notification
• Configure all macros to be disabled without notification

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 8

a) Describe FIVE (5) ways that the use of colour can aid the accessibility of an 5
application software interface.
Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.
• Certain colour combinations can aid accessibility/aid users who have
colour blindness, users who are dyslexic
• It can facilitate an attractive interface/contrasting colours to enhance
user experience/aesthetically pleasing
• It can be used to indicate where data is to be input
• It can be used to communicate mood, feeling, etc.
• It can be used to separate sections of the interface
• It can be used to emphasize certain features/make certain features stand
out

b) In addition to the use of colour, identify FIVE (5) design elements that a software 5
interface can contain to facilitate accessibility.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• Sound
• Images
• Text
• Layout
• Input controls
• Navigation components
• Information components

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 9

a) Describe THREE (3) advantages and THREE (3) disadvantages of using 6

questionnaires when evaluating a software interface.

The maximum number of marks to be awarded for this question is 6 marks.

Advantages of questionnaires
Award 1 mark for each advantage up to a maximum of 3 marks.
• They can be answered when it is convenient for end users
• They can be distributed to a large number of end users
• They can be easier to administer/analyse than interviews
• End users might feel more comfortable completing them than being
interviewed
• Respondents can choose to remain anonymous

Disadvantages of questionnaires
Award 1 mark for each advantage up to a maximum of 3 marks.
• Less information might be gathered than can from interviewing end
users
• They be time-consuming to analyse
• End users might not understand some questions/some answers are not
completed
• End users may not complete/return them

b) Recommend FOUR (4) criteria to determine if an interface is reliable. 4

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks.

• The software works correctly
• Links in the software work
• The software helps users to recognize errors
• The software helps users to diagnose errors
• The software helps users recover from errors
• The software suggests solutions to problems in clear/unambiguous
language

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 10

a) Explain what you understand by the term software quality assurance. 2

Award 1 mark for each point up to a maximum of 2 marks.

• Software should function as intended
• Software should be tested
• Software should meet required standards

b) Describe FIVE (5) potential problems if application software has not been tested. 5

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks.

• Software will not meet its specification
• Results will be inaccurate
• Software will be inefficient
• Software will be unreliable
• Software will not be user friendly/not easy to navigate/interact with
• There will be a lack of feedback to users
• Software style will be inconsistent
• Software will not be maintainable
• Software quality will be compromised
• An organisation might lose money
• An organisation’s reputation might be affected

c) Outline THREE (3) factors that can lead to unsuccessful software testing. 3

Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks.

• Testing has not been planned/not been planned adequately
• The tests have not been documented accurately/adequately
• The time taken to test is insufficient/too much testing is needed in too
little time
• Testing is rushed
• Testers are inexperienced
• Industry standards/legal requirements are not met
• Adequate testing has not been applied to critical data
• Appropriate testing techniques have not been used

Total 10 Marks

End of Paper

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 Marks
Learning Outcomes matrix

Question Learning Outcomes assessed Marker can differentiate between

varying levels of achievement
1 1 Yes
2 1 Yes
3 2 Yes
4 1 Yes
5 2 Yes
6 1 Yes
7 2 Yes
8 2 Yes
9 3 Yes
10 3 Yes

Grade descriptors

Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction

Understand how Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
application software can adequate level of robust level of comprehensive level
support business understanding understanding of understanding
processes
Be able to design and Provide Provide detailed Provide wholly
implement office adequate design and appropriate appropriate and
solutions to address the design to address innovative design
specification the specification that meets the
specification
Be able to demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate ability
that business processes ability to perform ability to perform to perform the task
have been the task the task to the highest
enhanced/improved consistently well standard

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