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NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY P2
MARKING GUIDELINES
NOVEMBER 2023
MARKS: 150
Approved:
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Information Technology Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2023 Memo
Grade 12 Information Technology Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC November Exam 2023 (English), 19 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Information Technology · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2023. Memorandum. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Information Technology
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Memorandum
- Year
- 2023
- Exam period
- NSC November Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 19
- File size
- 760.8 KB
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This exam
NSC November Exam 2023
Questions in this paper
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Information Technology/P2 2 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
1.1 1.1.1 H Green computing (1)
1.1.2 I IoT (1)
1.1.3 J Volatile (1)
1.1.4 C Ergonomics (1)
1.1.5 D Wiki (1)
1.1.6 L Augmented reality (1)
1.1.7 P Query (1)
1.1.8 M jpeg (1)
1.1.9 G URL (1)
1.1.10 O BitTorrent (1)
1.2 1.2.1 A Botnet (1)
1.2.2 D Cache (1)
1.2.3 C Open-Source Software (1)
1.2.4 C Broadband (1)
1.2.5 C 7 (1)
1.3 1.3.1 Plug-in / Extension / Add-on (1)
1.3.2 Relational database (1)
1.3.3 Ransomware (1)
1.3.4 Copyright (1)
1.3.5 Scalability (1)
TOTAL SECTION A: 20
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Information Technology/P2 3 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION B: SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES
QUESTION 2
2.1 2.1.1 Any TWO characteristics of a motherboard:
Type of ZIF socket
Type of CPU supported / Bus speed
Type of chipset
Types of slots
Number of slots
Available ports
Number of DIMM/RAM slots
Extra features: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth built-in
Number of SATA ports
Form Factor/physical size
On board features like NIC (2)
2.1.2 GPU / Graphics card / Video card (1)
2.1.3 Any TWO examples of flash storage:
Flash drive
SSD / M.2
Memory card / SD card (2)
2.2 2.2.1 It is a server hosted/based on the internet (online) that does not exist
as a physical entity / only exists in software. (2)
2.2.2 Any TWO justifications of using cloud virtual servers:
Accessibility/ubiquity – The server could be accessed at any
location/any time using an internet connection
Scalability – The server specifications could be adapted to suit the
changing needs of the university
The server does not use local resources
The service provider takes responsibility for maintenance and
software upgrading
Outsourcing of skilled processes
Improved server reliability/availability
Lower total operational cost / Affordability (2)
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Information Technology/P2 4 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
2.2.3 Any TWO advantages for using SaaS:
Don't need to install software on the computers / easy setup.
Do not need to update software on the computers.
No need for high-end computers as you only need to run the
applications from the web browser.
SaaS company responsible for storing data and backups.
Work from multiple devices/locations.
Takes up less local resources.
Collaboration features
Scalability / Ability to upgrade SaaS model according to their needs
NOTE: Do NOT accept renting/cost. (2)
2.2.4 Motivation for using site license:
A site license allows all the employees of the institution to use the same
license which is cheaper than buying individual licenses.
Any TWO of the following concepts:
Replaces the need for individual licenses / All users use the same
license
Leading to cost saving
Leading to less administration (2)
2.3 2.3.1 A backup strategy ensures that regular copies of data are made that
will prevent data loss and ensure quick recovery/restoring of data
to prevent downtime.
Any THREE of the following concepts:
Creating copies of data
Regular creation of back-ups/copies
To prevent data loss
Data can be quickly recovered/restored (3)
2.3.2 Any TWO disadvantages of using cloud storage:
Internet access required to access storage
Bandwidth issues – You need a large amount of bandwidth to back
up large chunks of data
Full data recovery could take some time
Data costs associated with storing data off-site
Security exposure
Data may be lost if company/service closes down (2)
2.4 Power user (1)
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Information Technology/P2 5 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
2.5 2.5.1 Any TWO properties associated with a computer worm:
Ability to replicate itself from one computer to another
Creates back-doors for other threats to gain access to a computer
system
Uses weak areas in an application/operating system to spread
Transfers over a network to other devices
Emails itself to all the contacts in an email address book
Uses a lot of system resources (slows down machine)
Causes strain on network bandwidth
Causes loss of data (2)
2.5.2 Firewalls monitor and manage access to a network from other
networks, while an anti-virus identifies/blocks/removes malware.
Concepts:
Firewall monitors network traffic, but does not always prevent the
spread of malware
Anti-virus identifies/removes malware (2)
2.6 Any ONE motivation why defragmenting is not needed on an SSD:
SSD has no moving parts. (2)
OR
SSD is a type of electronic storage. (2)
OR
Groups/position of stored data doesn't influence access speed. (2) (2)
TOTAL SECTION B: 25
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Information Technology/P2 6 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION C: COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
QUESTION 3
3.1 3.1.1 Any ONE explanation of a network:
A network is a group of interconnected devices (1) that can
communicate with each other. (1)
Concepts:
Multiple devices that are connected
Via a communication medium (2)
3.1.2 Why the school would benefit from investing in communication and
network technologies:
Providing TWO reasons:
Improved productivity
Improved communication speed
Improved reliability
Increasing the capacity
Supports more devices
Supports modern online services
Improved collaboration
Also ACCEPT any ONE reason with an explanation. (2)
3.1.3 Any TWO components of a LAN:
2 x name of component
2 x motivation
Network Interface Card (NIC) (1) – This is a hardware component
that connects a device to the network. (1)
Switch (1) – This is a networking device that connects multiple
devices together in a local area network. (1)
Router/Modem (1) – To provide connection to the internet. (1)
Cabling/Communication medium (1) – To carry signals / connect
devices/nodes (1)
Wireless Access Points (1) – To provide wireless access to a
network. (1) (4)
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Information Technology/P2 7 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
3.1.4 (a) Any ONE problem/disadvantage of layout described:
Failure of one device/switch can make other parts of the
network inaccessible.
OR
Multiple switches are connected in series (1) if any one of the
switches fail, it can disrupt other parts of the network. (1)
OR
Single cable between network segments (1) can lead to
congestion in the cables / loss of network management
efficiency. (1)
OR
Signal travels through multiple switches (1) it can slow down
communication. (1)
Concepts:
Switches are connected in series / Single cable between
network segments / Signal travels through multiple switches
/ A problem in one device influences other parts of the
network
Can lead to congestion / slower communication / network
segments failing (2)
(b)
Main
switch/router
Switch 1 Switch 2 Switch 3 Switch 4
Concepts:
Centralised switch (1)
Secondary switches individually connected (1) (2)
3.2 3.2.1 Any ONE wireless technology:
WiFi/Access points
Range extenders
WiMax
Satellite
Mesh technology (1)
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Information Technology/P2 8 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
3.2.2 How to extend the wireless capability of the school's network:
Using additional access points, which can be placed strategically /
spread across the school grounds.
OR
WiMAX (1) has a larger range. (1)
Also accept other technically correct answers. (2)
3.2.3 Any ONE way the network could be extended to the hostel:
Motivation
WiMAX/WiFi – Hostel will be in range of WiMax/WiFi technology.
Fiber cable – Low attenuation makes data transfer over long
distances possible.
UTP with switches – Signal needs to be repeatedly strengthened
to cover the distance.
VPN – Use existing resources to securely connect to the school's
network over the internet. (2)
3.3 3.3.1 (a) Voice over Internet Protocol (1)
(b) Any TWO of the following differences of VoIP vs traditional
calls:
No dedicated connection/calls made over the internet
Lower cost
Allows for video calls
Needs preinstalled software applications
Can make call to any computing device connected to the
internet
Call cost not dependant on distances (2)
3.3.2 Any TWO technical challenges to implement VoIP:
2 x challenges identified
2 x correctly described
Stable internet connection (1) – To ensure that the call does not
disconnect (1)
Sufficient bandwidth (1) – Low connection speed can influence the
quality of the call (1)
Software (1) – Must be the same version / compatible (1)
Data cost (1) – High data cost when making video calls (1) (4)
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Information Technology/P2 9 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
3.4 An intranet is an organisation's private network / Internet-like environment
consisting of web pages.
Course notes, schedules, news, announcements etc. could be posted to the
intranet providing access to these resources/communication. (2)
3.5 3.5.1 Any TWO reasons why a RDC be used:
Software is easily configured on host and target computer
compared to setting up a VPN
Allows users same control on the remote device as if sitting in front
of the device
Changes are made to files directly on the remote computer
Software is included in your operating system (2)
3.5.2 Any ONE advantage of RDC:
Provides access to viewing from any location / at any time
Low maintenance cost
Convenient/saves time/cost saving
Any ONE disadvantage of RDC:
Can be hacked
Setup cost is expensive
Dependant on internet access/data cost
Video material can take a long time to transfer (2)
TOTAL SECTION C: 30
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Information Technology/P2 10 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION D: DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
QUESTION 4
4.1 4.1.1 A primary key is a field in a table that uniquely identifies each record
in that table. (1)
4.1.2 Cannot have a null value. (1)
4.1.3 (a) Any ONE design error with explanation:
Data is duplicated in the Teacher field. (1) If the teacher is
replaced the data needs to be corrected everywhere. (1)
OR
Table is not normalised (1) the table contains redundant data /
Teacher field is linked to register class / Teacher field is
dependent on another field that is not part of primary key. (1)
OR
Any TWO examples of design errors: (2)
Data redundancy/repeated data/not normalised
A field is dependent on another field that is not the primary
key/description of anomaly (2)
(b) Create a separate table and move the RegisterClass and
Teacher fields to that table. Use the RegisterClass field as the
foreign key in the tblLearners table and the primary key in the
new table.
Concepts:
Splitting the data into two tables
RegisterClass/teachers must be placed in a separate table
Tables must be linked
Indication of linking on the RegisterClass
Note: Concepts can be described or illustrated using a table
diagram. (4)
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Information Technology/P2 11 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
4.2 Validation vs verification:
Validation ensures that data is acceptable/valid. (1)
Verification is ensuring the correctness of data. (1)
Why validation does not remove the need for verification:
If data is valid, it only implies that the data is in the correct format/data
type/range/presence/check digit, (1) and not necessarily factually
correct. (1)
OR
Verification requires that the information be checked against the source (1),
that validation does not do. (1) (4)
4.3 4.3.1 SQL/Structured query language code (1)
4.3.2 Identify and explain a scenario where a server-database would be
required:
Where a lot of personnel need to access the same database.
A server-based database will allow many users to use the database
at once, from many different locations.
Concepts:
Scenario correctly identified with many users/many locations
Simultaneous use of database / providing access to many users
Access possible from different locations/over a network (3)
4.4 4.4.1 Any TWO of the following about an audit trail:
Tracks WHAT changes are made
Tracks WHEN changes were made
Tracks WHO made changes (2)
4.4.2 Any ONE method with an explanation enhancing the security of the
school database:
Access control: Setting permissions and access levels for users,
passwords, biometric access control, multifactor authentication,
physical locking of server room.
Encryption: By encrypting sensitive data such as learner records,
the school can prevent unauthorised access to this information.
Regular backups: Regular backups are essential for protecting
data from loss due to hardware failure, data corruption, or other
disasters.
Firewall: Using a firewall to monitor all incoming and outgoing
transmissions/traffic and block unwanted communication/
requests. (2)
TOTAL SECTION D: 20
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Information Technology/P2 12 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION E: SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
QUESTION 5
5.1 5.1.1 (a) Any ONE indicating initialising:
Line 1 (iCount := 0)
Line 4 (sLine := '') (1)
(b) Any ONE indicating looping:
Line 2 (for iRow := 1 to 3 do)
Line 5 (for iCol := 1 to 5 do) (1)
5.1.2 15 (1)
5.1.3 *****
Only one line (2)
5.1.4 iCol := 1;
while iCol <= 5 do
begin
inc(iCol);
…
end;
OR
iCol := 0; (1)
repeat
inc(iCol);(1)
…
until iCol = 5 (1)
OR
Any other correct solution
Concepts:
Initialise counter (1)
Conditional loop with correct condition (1)
Increment loop controller (1) (3)
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Information Technology/P2 13 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
5.2 name counter Is counter <= 5? Is arrNames Display
[counter]
= name?
Lebo
0
True
1
False
True
2
False
True
3
True
Found
Concepts:
Correct counter column (1)
Correct Is counter < 5 column (1)
Correct Is arrNames [counter] = name column (1)
Correct Display – Any phrase indicating "Found" (1) (4)
5.3 Input sWord (Given)
Initialise sOutput
Loop K from length of sWord downto 1
sOutput sOutput + sWord[K]
OR
Input sWord (Given)
Initialise sOutput
Loop (1) K from 1 to length of sWord (1)
sOutput sWord[K] + sOutput (2)
OR
Any other correct solution
Concepts:
Loop (1) for length (1)
Correct adding of characters using correct indexing (2) (4)
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Information Technology/P2 14 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
5.4 TStudentCard
- fStudentNumber : String
- fName : String
- fSurname : String
- fStudyYear : integer
+ <<constructor>> Create (sStudentNumber, sName,
sSurname : String;
iStudyYear : integer)
+ setStudyYear (iStudyYear : integer)
Concepts to be used within a UML diagram:
Indicate attributes to be private
Indicate methods to be public
All attributes declared correctly with correct data types
Constructor/Create method declared correctly
with correct parameters
Mutator method declared correctly with correct integer parameter
(6)
TOTAL SECTION E: 22
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Information Technology/P2 15 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
SECTION F: INTEGRATED SCENARIO
QUESTION 6
6.1 6.1.1 The use of an image/two-dimensional block code to store
information/URL.
It can be captured/scanned using a digital camera/smartphone. (2)
6.1.2 Any ONE way information is automatically entered:
Autocomplete/Autofill done by the browser
Information stored in cookie from previous visits to site
Device/App feature from registered/stored information (1)
6.2 6.2.1 (a) A computer's OS utilises more than one processor or
processing core to simultaneously execute multiple
tasks/threads/processes. (2)
(b) The process of ensuring that each process/task/thread gets
enough CPU time and access to memory, storage and other
hardware to be able to work without interference by other
processes.
Concepts:
Allocation/sharing of processing time
Allocation of resources/memory/storage (2)
6.2.2 When a website is visited for the first time, the browser downloads
all the necessary content from the server to cache on local
storage.
When the user visits the website again, the browser loads the
content from cache.
Concepts:
Web content from previous visits is stored
Content obtained from the cache/local storage when visited
again (2)
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Information Technology/P2 16 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
6.2.3 Critical discussion of streaming rather than downloading:
A critical discussion of at least TWO aspects comparing its implication
on both streaming and downloading:
2 x 2 marks
Streaming Downloading
Storage Accessible without the Requires enough
need to store locally. storage space for
downloaded material.
Speed of Instantly available to Needs to be
access start watching. downloaded first to
watch.
Internet Only available with Can be viewed without
Dependency internet connection. internet connection
after download.
Ownership/ Does not provide Users keeps a copy of
Copyright permanent ownership. the file locally.
Cost Often involves May include one-time
subscription models. purchases or rentals.
Environmental Consumes more Consumes less energy
Impact energy because it because it can be
must be downloaded repeatedly viewed
every time it is viewed. after being
downloaded once.
Quality of Quality may fluctuate Provides a consistent
Experience based on internet quality experience.
speed.
Security Content is only Content is locally
retained in a buffer. stored and might
include malware.
ALSO ACCEPT other relevant and correct answers. (4)
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Information Technology/P2 17 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
6.3 6.3.1 Any TWO features of a Web 1.0 website:
Static pages that do not change frequently
Simple design with limited graphics and multimedia content
User is a content consumer and not a content creator
Hyperlinks to other webpages for further information
Basic HTML and CSS code used for webpage creation
No interactive or collaborative features, such as user comments
or social media integration (2)
6.3.2 Any TWO reasons why websites have evolved from Web 1.0 to Web
2.0:
To allow users to contribute content
To provide an interactive experience
To allow for social networking
Availability of new web technologies
Higher bandwidth availability
Internet availability (2)
6.4 6.4.1 Any TWO of the following reasons why the data might compromise
the quality of input data:
Because of the different formats used to enter the same
information/data not standardised.
It will be difficult to group/compare/analyse/sort records with
different formats.
Difficult to extract core information that can lead to errors
Concepts:
Different formats can lead to (1)
Incorrect capturing of data
OR
Difficulty in extracting/interpreting the data (1) (2)
6.4.2 Any TWO of the following different techniques on how the form
could be optimised to prevent this type of input:
Selection components
o List box
o Combo box / Dropdown box
o Radio group
o Spin edit
Providing examples of required format / default values
Input mask (2)
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Information Technology/P2 18 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
6.4.3 (a)
(b)
Alternative 1:
(a) (b)
Data Decisions
Information Knowledge
Alternative 2:
(b)
(a)
Data Information Decisions
Processing
/ Knowledge
(2)
6.5 6.5.1 Any ONE reason for using a distributed database:
Increased performance levels/less traffic on network/less traffic
on server/less data transfer
Can accommodate many users
Needs to be accessed from many locations
More stable (reduces redundancy) (1)
6.5.2 The information is scrambled/made inaccessible using a secret
key/algorithm/set of rules. (2)
6.5.3 Partitioning each server only stores the part of the data it works
with / Less data to be stored or transferred
OR
Duplication (1) every server holds all the data / Data will not be lost
if one server crashes (1) (2)
6.6 6.6.1 Any TWO valid digital platforms:
Email
Social media
Blogs
Online newspapers
Instant messaging
Website
Also accept any TWO examples of any of the above. (2)
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Information Technology/P2 19 DBE/November 2023
NSC – Marking Guidelines
6.6.2 Any ONE example of a policy document:
Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP)
Privacy Policy
POPIA
EULA (End User License Agreement) (1)
6.7 Any TWO potential risks of using ChatGPT:
People rely on the information generated without any fact-checking
Copyright issues/Plagiarism
Over reliance on the technology
Replacing human skills/employment opportunities
Removing motivation to learn skills
Limited accountability
May generate potentially inappropriate content for children
May generate malicious code
May track and store personal information
Also accept other valid examples. (2)
TOTAL SECTION F: 33
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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