Hi Michael. The exam should not be examining Access in particular, but in practice I think its terminology tends to show it does assume students do use Access or similar software... certainly not Filemaker!<br><br>The skills that can be examined are: <br>
<ul><li><strong>create tables</strong></li><li><strong>create relationships between tables</strong></li><li><strong>use a range of data types</strong></li><li><strong>electronic validation</strong></li><li><strong>create, edit and use queries</strong></li>
<li><strong>use of calculated fields</strong></li><li><strong>sort records or index on different fields.</strong></li></ul>If databases are also used in U4O1, the additional skills needed include:<br><ul><li><strong>import/export of data</strong></li>
<li><strong>format data for display</strong></li><li><strong>create and edit a range of forms, including different data types and controls</strong></li><li><strong>create and edit a range of formatted reports.</strong></li>
</ul><p>But since databases are not compulsory in unit 4, unless those skills appear in other key knowledge (e.g. see below re. data formatting) I doubt a specific exam question on those skills would be given.</p><p>Normalisation is not listed here, but it is included in other key knowledge so it is examinable. Also included are key knowledge from U3O2...<br>
</p><ol start="8"><li>a methodology for creating an RDBMS structure: identifying tables
and fields; normalising tables, defining data types and field sizes,
identifying primary key and foreign key fields</li><li>ways in which normalisation can ensure the integrity of data in an RDBMS</li><li>design tools for describing data types, and the value of entity
relationship (ER) diagrams for representing the structure of an RDBMS</li><li>design tools for representing solutions</li><li>functions and techniques within an RDBMS to efficiently and effectively manipulate and validate data</li>
<li>functions and techniques to retrieve required information through searching, sorting, filtering and querying data sets</li><li>methods and techniques for testing that the solutions perform as intended.</li></ol><p>Key knowledge and skills in U4O1 include...</p>
<ol><li value="8">functions, techniques and procedures for efficiently
and effectively manipulating data using an RDBMS or spreadsheet
software, including the application of formats and conventions, the
validation of data and the management of files</li><li>techniques for testing solutions and user acceptance</li><li>strategies for evaluating the extent to which solutions meet organisations' needs</li><li>content and types of onscreen user documentation, including quick start guide, tutorial, content sensitive help and manual</li>
<li>characteristics of efficient and effective user interfaces and information architecture</li><li>functions, techniques and procedures for efficiently and
effectively manipulating data using web authoring or multimedia
authoring software.</li></ol>
<h4>Key skills</h4>
<ol><li>use an RDBMS or spreadsheet software and apply suitable functions,
formats, conventions and data validation techniques to develop solutions</li></ol>Skills...<br><ol><li>use an RDBMS or spreadsheet software and apply suitable functions,
formats, conventions and data validation techniques to develop solutions</li></ol><br>So there's a fair bit to cover...<br><br>Regards<br>Mark<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 30 August 2012 13:00, Bretag, Michael M <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bretag.michael.m@edumail.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">bretag.michael.m@edumail.vic.gov.au</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hi Mark and the list<br>
<br>
In reference to the below message about the VCAA mandated skills for the different SACs. Just having some thoughts on revision for this year.<br>
<br>
What Microsoft Access skills do you think could be on the end of year exam? For example, in previous exams there have been questions on normalisation, relationships, data types....<br>
<br>
Do you think there will be any in particular skills that students should focus on?<br>
<br>
Thanks<br>
<br>
Michael<br>
<br>
Glenroy College<br></blockquote></div><br><snip><br><br>-- <br>Mark Kelly<br>Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area<br>McKinnon Secondary College<br>McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia<br>Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253<br>
<a href="mailto:kel@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au" target="_blank">kel@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au</a> << use this, not Edumail please!<br>VCE IT Lecture Notes: <a href="http://vceit.com" target="_blank">http://vceit.com</a><br>
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