OFFICE SOLUTIONS DEVELOPMENT

SAMPLE
MARKING SCHEME
This Marking Scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of model
answers, nor is the Marking Scheme exclusive, for there will frequently be alternative responses
which will provide a valid answer. Unless a question specifies that an answer be produced 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 and
associated module textbook should be the first authority.

Throughout the question, please credit any valid alternative point.

Notice to Markers
Where markers award half marks in any part of a question they should ensure that the total
mark recorded for a task is rounded up to a whole mark.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

Marks
QUESTION 1

a) The following is a list of software. Identify THREE (3) types of application software in the list:
1. graphical user interface
2. enterprise software
3. operating system
4. database
5. WIMP
6. management information systems
2.
4.
6.
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3. Take first three answers only.

b)

Explain the difference between bespoke software and commercial software.

bespoke software is produced to a customers requirements
commercial software is pre-written
1 mark each point, to max 2.

c)

State THREE (3) advantages of using bespoke software.

produced to a customers exact requirements
often easier to use
easier to upgrade
1 mark each point, to max 3.

d)

Explain what is meant by integrated software.

several programs for different applications in one software package
the programs share a common interface
1 mark each point, to max 2.

Total 10 Marks

QUESTIONS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

Page 2 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 2
a)

The following is a list of business processes. Identify THREE (3) that would use presentation
software:
1. research and design
2. payroll
3. marketing
4. production
5. distribution
6. advertising
1.
3.
6.
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3. Take first three answers only.

b)

Identify FOUR (4) features that a word processing package provides.

formatting features
templates
spell checking
tables
4 points, 1 mark each, to max 4.

c)

The following is a list of software functions and features. Identify THREE (3) that are used by a
spreadsheet
1. photo editor
2. PivotChart
3. query
4. mail merge
5. slide layout
6. filter
2.
3.
6.
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

Total 10 Marks

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Page 3 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 3
a)

Explain what is meant by the term end user.

the person using the software
in some companies the end user develops the software
1 mark each point, to max 2.

b)

State what THREE (3) tools are available for end users to use when developing software.
application software
VBA
recorded macros
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

c)

State THREE (3) advantages of end user development of software.

greater user involvement
user knows what is required of the software
good use of resources
less costly method
improved decision making
user satisfaction
Any 3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

d)

Explain what is meant by the term user friendly.

software that is easy to use
software that is easy to learn
software that enables effective communication/interaction with a user
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

Total 10 Marks

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Page 4 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 4
a)

State THREE (3) disadvantages of end user development of software.

inaccurate
lack of training
lack of planning
slow
not always secure
not always tested
not always documented
Any 3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

b)

State TWO (2) reasons why good human computer interface design is important.
to enable effective communication/interaction with a user
to ensure a user-friendly interface
1 mark each, to max 2.

c)

The following is list of software features. Identify THREE features are associated with human
computer interface development:
1. colour
2. headers and footers
3. sound
4. watermark
5. text
6. combo box
1.
3.
5.
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

d)

Explain how icons can help make software more usable.

easier to use
easier to access
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

Total 10 Marks

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Page 5 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 5
a)

Describe a business task that a PivotTable could be used for.

analyse data
summarise data
generate reports
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

b)

Describe a business task that conditional formatting could be used for.

formatting the contents of a cell/s
highlights the contents of a cell/s
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

c)

Explain why a HLOOKUP table is a useful function.

avoids having to search for data
quicker and more effective than searching through data
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

d)

Explain the difference between absolute and relative cell references.

absolute cell references apply to specific cells/columns/rows
relative cell references to any cells/columns/rows
relative cell references are used with dynamic data
absolute cell references are used with static data
4 points, 1 mark each, to max 4.

Total 10 Marks
J

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Page 6 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 6
a)

State the purpose of the TODAY() and NOW() functions.

TODAY() sets the current date
NOW() also sets the current date and time
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

b)

State the purpose of a user form.

to facilitate data entry
enable validation of data entry
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

c)

Identify TWO (2) types of button that could be added to a user form.
command button
icon
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

d)

Explain the meaning of the term macro.

contain a series of instructions
enable automation
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

e)

Describe a task that a macro can be developed to automate in spreadsheet.

enables quick data entry and validation
enables printing to be done quickly, functions
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2

Total 10 Marks

QUESTIONS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

Page 7 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

Formatted/HW

NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 7
a)

Explain why mail merge is such a useful function.

quick
efficient
easier
enables mass mailing
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2

b)

Explain the meaning of the term template.

set layout for a document
quick
efficient
useful for documents used many times
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2

c)

State three types of template that can be used in word processing.

letters
faxes
reports
envelopes
business cards
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2

d)

Explain how a word processed document can be protected against malicious.

set the macro security level
recommended to second highest level - disable macros with notification
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

e)

Describe a task that a macro can be developed to automate in word processing.

enables quick data entry and validation
enables printing to be done quickly, mail merge
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2

Total 10 Marks

QUESTIONS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

Page 8 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

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NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 8
a)

State the purpose of a query.

to search for data
generate results
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

b)

Explain the meaning of the terms Action and Object.

actions are instructions that are applied to objects,
objects such as a form, button
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

c)

Describe an Event in a database.

something that occurs to an object
such as a button click
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

d)

Describe a task that a macro can be developed to automate in database software.

enables quick data entry and validation
enables printing to be done quickly, data entry, queries
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

e)

Explain the purpose of an Autoexec macro in a database.

runs functions when the database opens
such as displaying a user message, opening a file
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

Total 10 Marks

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Page 9 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

Formatted/HW

NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 9
a)

State THREE (3) tasks that can be undertaken in the Visual Basic Editor.
writing a macro
editing a macro
creating a user form
reading macro code
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

b)

Explain why software testing is an essential part of software development.

checks that the software does what it is supposed to do
finds software faults
ensures quality
Any 2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

c)

The following is a list of software tests. Identify TWO (2) tests that check that software is
working correctly:
1. white box testing
2. functional testing
3. grey box testing
4. regression testing
5. black box testing
6. system testing
2.
5.
2 points, 1 mark each, to max 2.

d)

Identify the THREE (3) stages of software testing

user requirements - design tests
test plan
run tests
compare expected results with actual results
correct errors and retest
test Report
3 points, 1 mark each, to max 3.

Total 10 Marks

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Page 10 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

Formatted/HW

NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks
QUESTION 10
a)

Describe FOUR (4) criteria an end user can refer to when evaluating a software solution.
Functionality
Efficiency
Usability
reliability
Maintainability
Any 4 points, 1 mark each, to max 4

b)

Identify SIX (6) questions that could be asked when evaluating the usability of software.
Is the language clear and understandable?
Is help available and if so, is it easy to understand?
Is it easy to navigate the software?
Are directions easy to understand?
Is information is accurate and up-to-date?
Is the text is easy to read?
Are the graphics are relevant?
Is the layout consistent?
Is feedback such as error messages clearly presented?
Is it easy to learn?
Any 6 points, 1 mark each, to max 6.

Total 10 Marks

END OF EXAM
Page 11 of 11
Office Solutions Development

Sample

Formatted/HW

NCC Education Ltd 2012