• 40% of the total AS mark
• 20% of the total A Level mark

A solution to a task allowing candidates to demonstrate advanced knowledge of an applications package. The project is marked out of a total of 60. The Mark Scheme gives a detailed breakdown of the five categories used in the assessment criteria.

Unit 3 - The Use of Generic Application Software For Task Solution

For module 3 candidates will be required to undertake a project. They will be expected to tackle a task-related problem which will have a limited scope and will be a self-contained problem.

The solution is very likely to be based on the facilities of one piece of generic software (such as MS Access 2000) but candidates are encouraged to use other software tools and objects as appropriate to complete the solution.

It is not within the spirit of this syllabus for candidates to use a stand-alone general purpose programming language.

The problems could be set by the candidates’ teacher, who will then act as the end-user, or by a real end-user. To help with authentication of candidates’ work, if the same problem is given to more than one candidate, it must be tailored individually by each candidate to allow for differentiated outcomes.

To gain high marks candidates will be expected to provide a detailed solution specification. This solution should reflect the use of advanced generic and package specific skills. It is desirable that a project log be included so that candidates can show their approach to the solution and the development of the solution with regard to the use of alternative techniques and tools.

Detailed requirements of the coursework task:

12.1 Process skills

• Develop generic and package-specific skills and apply them as appropriate.

The following five requirements are directly linked to the five categories of the assessment criteria

12.2 Specification

• Produce a requirements specification for the identified problem to match end-user needs.
• State the input, processing and output needs to match the requirements specification.
• Select and apply appropriate design tools and techniques.
• Determine the test strategy and test plan for the solution.

12.3 Implementation

• Make full and effective use of the chosen hardware and software facilities to develop and implement a design as an information technology solution.
• Use appropriate data capture and validation procedures, data organisation methods, output contents and formats, operational procedures and user interface(s) for the IT solution.
• Relate the solution to the capabilities of the available hardware, software and human resources and to the time constraints.

12.4 Testing

• Test the implementation to ensure full compliance with the requirements specification.
• Follow the test plan in a systematic manner using typical, erroneous and extreme (boundary) data. Annotate each test output, cross-referencing to the testing plan.

12.5 Evaluation

• Assess the effectiveness of the solution in relation to the original requirements specification.

12.6 User guide

• Provide appropriate user documentation.