Tip Top Tips

• When writing a title or heading use a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman or Ariel). To emphasise a title put it in capitals, make it 2pts bigger than the body text and embolden it. WordArt is an unnecessary waste of your time.
• A "suitable" title or heading should reflect the content of the document and should be spelt correctly. Make correct use of capital letters.
• All headings/titles in any document should be emphasised in some way. Achieve this by doing any of the following: bigger font size; different font; capitals; embolden; underline. Don't use italic, this shouldn't be used in titles.
• Any clipart you use should be appropriate for the content and the theme of the document or task.
• Make sure you know how to display the formulae you have used in a spreadsheet. You get an extra mark for showing them on a printout.
• If you load a letterheading to answer an exam question do not change the alignment unless you are asked to do so.
• In any word processed document there should be one clear line space between paragraphs.
• When writing a letter or memo make sure you use at least three paragraphs.
• Remember to spellcheck your work before you print out a document.
• Remember to save your work regularly (every 3 or 4 minutes).
• Remember to proofread your work before you print it out.
• When writing a letter or memo keep the same font and font size throughout.
• When you date a letter or memo it should be the actual date - the date you are writing it. (Remember: it will be written on the front of the exam paper) Any date you write in a letter/memo/report should be in the correct format,
  e.g. 14 June 2004, 2 September 2004.
• At the end of a letter remember to leave five clear line spaces between the complimentary close and the name of the author/signatory.
• In the complimentary close of a letter it is:
  Yours sincerely (small s), Yours faithfully (small f).
• Do not use mobile text language in any document, e.g. b4, ur, 2nite.
• When you print a document read through it a final time to see if you spot any errors.
• In a poster only use one piece of clipart - more than that is a waste of your time.
• If the instruction for a poster is "align the content horizontally" that means any clipart as well as the text.
• Sort in ascending order means:
  • smallest to biggest (0-9);
  • alphabetical (A-Z).
• Sort in descending order means:
  • biggest to smallest (9-0);
  • reverse alphabetical (Z-A).
• On a memo header use the designation of a person if you know it, for example:
  To: Alan Parker - Manager
• On a memo header the names of the people should be in the same format, for example:
  To: Mr A Parker - Manager
  From: Miss G Giles
• Try to manage your time in the examination. If a practical task only scores 12 marks then you should allow about 15 minutes to complete it. For 25 marks allow about half an hour. Do not spend more time on a task if you are struggling, the next question might be one that you can answer easily.
• On a chart make sure the axis titles are suitable, i.e. they are spelt correctly (with correct use of capital letters) and describe the properties of the axis correctly.
• On a spreadsheet or chart make sure that you emphasise the title somehow, e.g. using bold, larger font size, all in capitals.
• If a question asks for one advantage or one disadvantage do not write down any more. It is a waste of your time and will not gain any extra marks.
• Always read the Scenario before you start answering questions. There is important information in it that may be of use in one or more of the questions. It also sets the context for each of the tasks described in the examination.
• Always circle one answer in a multiple choice question, even if you are not sure which is the correct one. However, do not circle more than one answer - that is a sure way of gaining no marks at all.
• Read each question carefully (at least twice) before answering to make sure you understand what is required.
• If a task requires you to create a poster or advertisement you should use computer facilities (e.g. bold, capitals, underline, font style/size) to emphasise key points, not the entire text.
• A memo does not need to be signed so there is no need for a complimentary close or the name of the author at the end.