1. In terms of national policy and the regulations applicable to the conducting of the National Senior Certificate examinations, it is of paramount importance that ALL examinations are conducted with integrity.
2. The National Senior Certificate Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology practical examinations pose a high risk in terms of the security of data. This is because the examination takes place on the same computers that are used during lessons and because files have to be copied from individual computers for the examiners. Ensuring the security of data is therefore crucially important if we are to ensure the integrity of these examinations.
3. This circular contains very specific instructions which MUST be followed by all invigilators and other staff who have access to the examination venues for computer-based examinations. Principals and centre managers, who are the examination officers, must ensure that these instructions are adhered to at all times.
4. This circular must be read in conjunction with Circular S7 of 2006, Circular E25 of 2009 and Regulations pertaining to the Conducting, Administration and Management of Assessment for the National Senior Certificate, Annexure G.
5. The following addenda are attached to this circular. Please ensure that you have read and understood the instructions contained in the respective addenda and, where necessary, have completed the respective checklist:
5.1 ADDENDUM A: Minimum requirements for offering Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology;
5.2 ADDENDUM B: Roles and responsibilities;
5.3 ADDENDUM C: Checklists.
6. All invigilators and teachers who will assist and provide assistance during the Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology practical examinations should receive training from the appropriate WCED official.
7. Please note that the principal, the chief invigilator and the Computer Applications Technology and/or Information Technology teacher must at no time leave the examination room until the final CDs are written and the checklist (Addendum C) has been completed, signed and submitted.
8. A maximum of only two examination sessions is allowed. The following are suggested time frames to follow for the examination sittings:

8.1 ONE SITTING TIME ALLOCATED DURATION
Seated in computer laboratory   08:30
Log-on process and the renaming of examination folder 15 minutes 08:35 - 08:50
Reading time 10 minutes 08:50 - 09:00
Paper 1 (Practical) 3 hours 09:00 - 12:00
Finalise checking, collect folders, burn CDs 120 minutes (depends on number of candidates) 12:00 - 14:00

8.2 TWO SITTINGS TIME ALLOCATED FIRST SITTING SECOND SITTING
Seated in computer laboratory   07:30 13:00
Log-on process and the renaming of examination folder 15 minutes 07:35 - 07:50 13: 05 - 13:20
Reading time 10 minutes 07:50 - 08:00 13: 20 - 13:30
Paper 1 (Practical) hours<3/td> 08:00 - 11:00 <13:30 - 16:30/td>
Finalise checking, collect folders, burn CDs, clean computers, etc 120 minutes (depends on number of candidates. 11:00 - 13:00 16:30 - 18:30 (2nd sitting may start earlier)

(Please note: Where there are two sittings, arrangements MUST be communicated in writing to candidates and their parents.)
9. NETWORKS
9.1 PEER-TO-PEER networks do not provide the same level of security as server-based networks and are not permitted and schools must dismantle them for the duration of the examination and use the computers in stand-alone mode.
9.2 Where SERVER-BASED networks prove to be unstable and/or the necessary security cannot be guaranteed, they must be dismantled and the computers used in stand-alone mode.
10. On some networks it is possible for a log to be kept of who has accessed which folders. If your network has this facility, it must be activated during the examination and then retained after the completion of the examination, in case queries concerning irregularities arise. This log file must be copied to the CD, along with the candidates' folders.
11. The Speed Endorsement Test will be marked electronically in 2009 and schools must write the candidates' data files for the Speed Endorsement Test in a separate folder on the CD on which the Computer Applications Technology's practical data files are written.
12. WCED officials will visit examination venues before the writing of the examination to ensure that all networks and stand-alone workstations have been properly set up and that all instructions contained in this circular have been adhered to.
13. If a power failure occurs during the examination, the following procedure should be followed:
13.1 When a power failure occurs, the centre manager should immediately inform the local authorities. He or she should also ascertain if possible, how long the power failure is likely to last.
13.2 The WCED should immediately be informed of the power failure;
13.3 Candidates are to remain in the computer room until the power supply is restored. Candidates may not communicate with one another while waiting for the power supply to be restored. The time lost during the power failure should be allowed as additional examination time;
13.4 If, after two hours, the power supply has not been restored, the examination must be re-scheduled;
13.5 The work completed by the candidates must be handed in and submitted to the WCED, together with the documents;
13.6 In the case of an examination being cancelled because of a power failure, the candidates must write the back-up paper on another date;
13.7 In cases where two examination sessions are scheduled during an examination, namely in the morning and afternoon, the above procedure applies to both sessions.
14. In the event of computer breakdowns during the examination, the following procedure must be followed:
14.1 Candidates must be immediately moved to backup equipment, and appropriate additional time must be provided to the candidates;
14.2 No additional time will be allowed for work lost that was not correctly saved;
14.3 Candidates must complete the examination paper within the set time.
15. Non-adherence to the instructions contained in this circular could lead to disciplinary measures and possible charges being laid in terms of the applicable legislation.
16. Kindly ensure that a copy of this circular is provided to all teachers and invigilators of Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology.
17. Please feel free to contact Mr I Francis (tel. no. 021 467 2549 or e-mail address ifrancis@pgwc.gov.za) for clarification and/or assistance.


SIGNED: T SINGH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:09:25

Addendum A: Practical Examinations in Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology  (size: 9 KB)
Addendum B: Roles and Responsibilities  (size: 18 KB)
Addendum C: Checklists  (size: 32 KB)

Regulations pertaining to the Conducting, Administration and Management of Assessment for the National Senior Certificate, Annexure G  (size: 32 KB)