Complete Skills and Education Group Awards Vocationally-Related Qualification Digital Skills & IT specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet Software
- Using mobile IT devices
- Digital Lifestyle
- Optimise IT System Performance
- IT Security for Users
- IT Communication Fundamentals
- Audio Software
- Desktop Publishing Software
- Multimedia Software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Using the Internet
- Bespoke Software
- Computerised Accounting Software
- Audio and video software
- Using Mobile IT Devices
- Database Software
- Project Management Software
- Database software
- Using email
- Personal information management software
- IT User Fundamentals
- Using Collaborative Technologies
- Using Email
- Imaging Software
- Video Software
- Presentation Software
- Design and imaging software
- The Internet and World Wide Web
- Specialist/bespoke software
- Improving Productivity Using IT
- Set Up an IT System
- Specialist Software
- Personal Information Management Software
- IT Software Fundamentals
- Website Software
- Word Processing Software
- Data Management Software
- Productivity Programmes
- Data management software
- Design Software
- IT User fundamentals
- Desktop publishing software
- Drawing and Planning Software
- Computer Basics
- Computer Security and Privacy
Top Exam Board Tips
- Practice creating a variety of document types (e.g., letters, reports, flyers) to become comfortable with switching between layouts and formatting needs.
- Always proofread using both manual checks and the spellcheck tool, watching for homophones and grammar errors that spellcheck may miss.
- Use the 'save as' function to create backup copies or different versions of your document to avoid irreversible mistakes.
- Explore the word processor’s help feature to learn about advanced formatting options that can save time, such as format painter and style sets.
- Always proofread your work by using the spell-check and grammar tools before submitting any assignment.
- Maintain a consistent style throughout your document by using the software's built-in styles or by setting up formatting guidelines.
- When presenting evidence for assessment, ensure you include both the final document and, if possible, screenshots showing the editing process to demonstrate your skills.
- Familiarise yourself with keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl+S, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to work more efficiently and reduce time pressure during assessments.
- Always double-check formula ranges to ensure they include all intended cells and exclude headers or totals.
- Use the defined assessment criteria as a checklist; explicitly demonstrate each required skill (e.g., apply a filter, create a chart) even if it seems obvious.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to save documents routinely, leading to loss of work, or saving with inappropriate filenames and locations.
- Overusing different fonts, colours, and formatting types, resulting in an unprofessional and cluttered appearance.
- Neglecting to use alignment, indentation, and spacing to organize content, which makes documents difficult to read.
- Relying solely on manual formatting rather than using styles for headings, causing inconsistency when creating longer documents.
- Overlooking spelling and grammar errors before finalising a document, due to not using the spell-check function.
- Inconsistent formatting, such as mixing font styles or sizes within the same document without purpose.
- Forgetting to save documents in appropriate file formats (.docx, .pdf) and locations, leading to lost work.
- Misusing alignment and indentation, resulting in unprofessional-looking documents with irregular spacing.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- WPE:1 Input text and edit word processing documents, WPE:2 Structure information within word processing documents, WPE:3 Use word processing software tools to format and present documents
- Use a spreadsheet to enter, edit and organise numerical and other data, Use appropriate formulas and tools to summarise and display spreadsheet information, Select and use appropriate tools and techniques to present spreadsheet information effectively
- UMTE:1 Set up mobile a device to meet needs, UMTE:2 Input and store data on a mobile device, UMTE:3 Transfer data between mobile devices, UMTE:4 Maintain the performance of a mobile device
- DLE:1 Understand the basics of digital technology, DLE:2 Understand the basics of digital audio, DLE:3 Understand the basics of digital video, DLE:4 Understand the basics of digital photography, DLE:5 Understand the career opportunities for those with digital technology experience
- Maintain hardware and software in working order, Manage files to maintain system performance, Respond to common IT system problems and errors, Customise the working environment to meet needs
- Select, use and develop appropriate procedures to monitor and minimise security risk to IT systems and data
- Select and use a variety of sources of information to meet needs, Access, search for, select and use Internet-based information and evaluate its fitness for purpose, Select and use IT to communicate and exchange information safely, responsibly and effectively
- Use audio hardware and software to capture sequences, Use audio software tools and techniques to combine and edit sequences, Play and present audio sequences
- Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications, Input and combine text and other information within publications, Use desktop publishing software techniques to edit and format publications
- Plan the content and organisation of multimedia products to meet needs, Obtain, input and combine content to build multimedia outcomes, Use multimedia software tools to edit and format multimedia content to meet requirements, Play and present multimedia outcomes
- SSE:1 Enter and edit numerical and other information using spreadsheets, SSE:2 Use appropriate formulas and tools to summarise and display spreadsheet information, SSE:3 Use appropriate tools and techniques to present spreadsheet information effectively
- PSE:1 Input and combine text and other information within presentation slides, PSE:2 Use presentation software tools to structure, edit and format slides, PSE:3 Prepare slides for presentation
- INTE:1 Connect to the Internet, INTE:2 Use browser software to navigate webpages, INTE:3 Use browser tools to search for information from the Internet and the world-wide web or an intranet, INTE:4 Use browser software to communicate information online, INTE:5 Follow and understand the need for safety and security practices when working online
- Input and combine information using bespoke applications, Use appropriate structures to organise and retrieve information efficiently, Use the functions of the software effectively to process and present information
- Access, enter and edit accounting information, Use tools and techniques to process business transactions, Produce accounting documents and summary reports to meet requirements