Category Archives: Revision

Revision

Easter School

Unfortunately I am not able to take part in Easter school this year. However, there are still 3 weeks left in the term and supported study operates on a Monday lunchtime and Wednesday after school. This would be more time than you would get with me at Easter school. Please make an effort to attend if you feel you need more help.

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher, Revision

Answers to today’s Starter Questions

These were taken from the 2008 Section 1.

1a(i)Describe how bit-mapped images are stored. 1 KU
  • An array/grid of pixels
  • Each dot/pixel has a binary value
  • Each pixel stored as a bit/byte/binary value/black=1 & white=0
  • Accept black=1 and white=0 type answer but not the colour of each pixel
  • Any one from above 1 mark (Not “the colour of pixels are stored” or “individual pixels” or “pixel by pixel”)

1a(ii) Describe how vector images are stored. 1 KU

  • As a number/list of objects (each of which has attributes defining the objects)
  • Objects are defined by attributes/mathematical description
  • Accept an example object used to describe eg rectangle and attributes
  • Any other valid
  • 1 mark for any of the above

1b Is the above image bit-mapped or vector? Justify your answer.2 PS

  • Bit-mapped (1 mark)
  • Composed of grid of (individual) pixels
  • Does not contain/is not comprised of (collection of discrete) objects
  • It is pixelated
  • It is a photograph/taken with a digital camera
  • 1 mark for any valid bullet point (Not painting or resized)

2a Explain how the heuristic detection technique is used to detect a virus.1 KU

  • It looks for a suspicious pattern of behaviour (which was previously associated with a virus)
  • Accept use of a valid example to illustrate concept
  • Any other valid
  • 1 mark

2b Explain why a trojan horse is not classified as a computer virus. 1 PS

  • A trojan horse is not self replicating
  • Does not infect other files
  • 1 mark for any one of the above (do not accept a description of what a trojan horse does)
Computing Higher, Homework, Revision

Past paper check list

I have updated this and I will give you a paper copy on Tuesday. Use it with traffic light stickers/high lighters, to record your progress. The Section 2 questions have not been broken down in part or the spreadsheet would have gotten out of hand. However, feel free to create one yourself and post me a copy 🙂

I have also posted the sample question paper and the Section 1, 2 & 3 PDFs in the past papers page (at top of page). There are no marking schemes on the blog so you will need to look elsewhere for the answers.

Computing Higher, Revision

Prep for the prelims

Well you have put in the work and you have managed to get your coursework completed and handed in. Well if not we will be having a conversation in the new year. The next big thing is the prelim, so how do you go about preparing for it? Well first of all make sure you have all the notes I have given you in some kind of order and that you have not lost any of them.

Past paper based revision

Using the two documents above,

  1. Answer the next 5 marks from section 1 (Remember to mark them off)
  2. Answer the next full question from section 2 (Remember to mark them off)
  3. Use the SQA site to check the answers, make a note of what you got wrong for future study.
  4. Create flash cards with the question on one side and the answer on the other.

The whole thing should take you about 40-50 minutes, you should be doing this 4-5 times a week. Don’t worry if you think that at the start it’s all computer systems, it will randomise quite quickly.

Computing Higher, Revision

Things you should be doing!

  • Looking over all course material covered so far.
  • Looking forward and reading ahead in the notes.
  • VB coursework tasks from previous years.
  • Reading the old posts on the blog.
  • Using past papers.
  • USING SCHOLAR!

You need to be proactive in Higher, you need to be challenging  yourself and testing your limits. Take a past paper and attempt to complete it. When you struggled with parts was that because we have not covered it yet or you haven’t looked at it in the last 2 months?