Level 1: Core Concepts (Aiming for a Pass / 'S' to 'C')

These prompts check your memory of the fundamental facts and definitions.

1. Define: In your own words, what is an 'Information System'?

2. List: Name the 6 phases of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in the correct order.

3. Identify: Which phase of the SDLC involves interviewing users and studying existing documents?

4. Define: What is 'deployment' in the context of the SDLC?

5. List: Name two of the four main deployment methods.

6. Recall: What does the term 'debugging' mean?

7. Identify: Is a library system using paper cards for borrowing books a 'Manual' or a 'Computer-Based' system?

Level 2: Application & Explanation (Aiming for 'C' to 'B')

These prompts ask you to explain concepts and apply them to simple scenarios.

1. Explain: What is the main purpose of the 'Design' phase of the SDLC? What kinds of things are planned during this stage?

2. Compare: Explain the key difference between the Direct Deployment and Parallel Deployment methods. What is the main advantage of using the Parallel method?

3. Apply: If you were testing a new school management system, what is the difference between Unit Testing and System Testing?

4. Explain: Why is the 'Maintenance' phase necessary for a system even after it has been successfully launched?

5. Describe: Imagine you are gathering requirements for a new supermarket computer system. Give one example of what you could learn from observation and one example from an interview with a cashier.

Level 3: Analysis & Design (Aiming for 'B' to 'A')

These prompts challenge you to design solutions and analyze problems, just like the high-mark questions on the exam.

1. Scenario Analysis: A bank is replacing its old customer management software with a brand new system.

• a) Which deployment method (Direct, Parallel, Pilot, or Phased) would you recommend for the bank?

• b) Justify your answer by explaining why your chosen method is the most suitable and why one of the other methods would be too risky.

1. Problem-Solving: Your school principal wants to introduce a new computer-based system for recording student attendance. Briefly describe the key activities you would perform in each of the first three phases of the SDLC (Identification of Requirements, Design, and Coding) for this specific project.

2. Compare & Contrast: What is the fundamental difference in approach between the Waterfall Model of SDLC and an Iterative Model? Why might an Iterative model be better for a project where the user requirements are likely to change?