Last updated: 02 Sep 2008

This page has the data files for the information and communication technology tests for levels 3 and 4 for 2008/9. The data files will be needed by candidates taking tests during this period. To access the data files, choose data files below and select the file(s) you need. You can also download the file you need from the right-hand navigation bar. This page has three sections:

• guidance: for centres on using the data files
• the data files: tables from which the files can be downloaded
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
• example tests: a table from which tests that use data files (with mark schemes) can be downloaded.

Guidance

New data files are added to this area of the site annually and some old ones removed. The most recent changes were made on 2 September 2008. Awarding bodies are being given official notice that they must inform centres to download the data files within the next week.

It is expected that centres should give their candidates as much practice as possible importing and manipulating these data files in other applications.

Centres must have downloaded the data files from this website to their centre’s local network, prior to the test. They must store them as read-only files, and preferably in subdirectories which follow the same names as the scenarios on the website.

If centres have not been able to use the Winzipped file, then they should right-click (pc) or ctrl-click (Mac) on the link to the data file, and chose the option 'Save target as', and save in the relevant folders which they have already created under level 3 or level 4 test data/scenario name.

If you are a Mac user, and are having problems with accessing the zip files, Stuffit Expander can be used. This software is free to download.

Where possible, centres  should download the full set of data files at the start of the new academic year.  The best way of doing this is by using the zipped files.  However, centres must make sure that these files are "extracted" so that they appear within their associated folders/directories.

The data files must be stored in their original format (ie as .txt or .jpg files): it is not for centres to convert these data files into wordprocessing, spreadsheet or database files. Candidates will be given marks for doing this so it would be inappropriate for centres to be doing it for them.

Candidates will be asked in the tests to import these data files into relevant applications. For instance, the test will point them towards a particular file, using its scenario as the path, and ask them to import this data file into, say, a spreadsheet application.

Centres and candidates must not attempt to simply copy and paste the data into the relevant application. This will not achieve the correct result.

If candidates have not imported data into applications before, then this is going to be a problem. Data import is an aspect of the level 3 ICT key skill.

The tests are designed to be used with contemporary software. Some older versions of software (such as Apple Works and Microsoft Works) will require the data files to be slightly modified in order to be compatible with these applications.

Works does not necessarily recognise comma-separated data, which is the format of the data files intended for spreadsheets or databases. If this is the case, centres will have to amend the data files to be tab-separated. This is what was meant when we said that centres have to store the data files on their local network in a form accessible to candidates for their wordprocessing, database and spreadsheet software.

Candidates should have access to all the files as soon as a centre has downloaded them. Not all the files will be used in each test. Centres should be giving their candidates practice importing these data.

Some centres do not have a network. In such cases, candidates must be given all the data files on a floppy disk or CD-ROM.

While practising, it should be pointed out to students that importing a data file meant for one application into another application will produce strange results. Briefly, a quick look at the data files will reveal that:

• .txt files with whole sentences in are destined for word processing.
• .txt files with a lot of comma separated data in text, number and (often) date format, with column headers in quote marks at the beginning, are for database work.
• .txt files with a mixture of numbers and text, and, usually, a few consecutive commas, are for spreadsheet files.

We cannot advise centres or candidates which software package they should be using, only that they must use the software which a) does the job and b) they are familiar with.
Some guidance for importing data into applications (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access only)

Word:

• In Word, go to File, then Open, and navigate to the relevant folder to find the data file. You will have to change the 'Files of Type' to 'Text Files', as it defaults to Word Documents.
• When you have found the correct data file, when you select open, it will open that data file as a Word document.

Excel:

• In Excel, go to File, then Open, and navigate to the relevant folder to find the data file. You will have to change the 'Files of Type' to 'Text Files' as for Microsoft Word, above. In Excel, a Wizard window will take you through importing.
• The data in the files which is intended for spreadsheets has delimiters, so you can pass through the first window because delimiters this is the default. The delimiters are commas, so in the next window you will have to change delimiters from the default, which is 'tab', to 'commas'. Also, check that " is the Text Qualifier. In the third window, select General.
• Then you can click 'finish' and it will open an Excel book with your imported data.

Access:

• From the File menu, select Get External Data - Import.
• In the Import dialogue box, navigate to the folder where the data files for the required scenario are kept, using the Look in: box, and select Text in the Files of Type box.
• Highlight the required data file and select Import.
• In the Import text wizard, select Delimited then click on Next.
• In the next window of the Import text window, select Comma as the delimiter, " as the Text Qualifier and tick the box First row contains field names. Click on Next.
• In the next window of the Import text window, select In a new table. Click on Next.
• In the next window of the Import text window, click on Next.
• In the next window of the Import text window, either let Access add a primary key or choose a field as primary key, as required in the test paper. Click on Next.
• In the next window of the Import text window, type in the table name specified in the test paper. Click on Finish.
• On the next dialogue box, click on OK.

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The data files

These data files will be needed by candidates taking ICT key skills tests during the academic year. Centres should ensure that all data files are downloaded and stored locally in a form which is accessible to candidates using word (document) processing, database and/or spreadsheet software with which they are familiar. Centres should replace ALL previously downloaded files with this set of files.

Each candidate taking a test must be provided with access to all of the data files either as read-only files in a suitable directory (folder) structure on the centre's network or by means of a write-protected floppy disc or equivalent (eg a CD-ROM). Each data file must be named as it is on this site and the data files associated with each scenario should be stored together, within a subdirectory with the scenario name. Each test will use this name to identify the scenario on which it is based.

There is no restriction on candidate access to the data files for preparation purposes prior to the test.

For the majority of centres it is expected that the downloaded data files will be stored automatically in a form that is suitable for candidates to use. Where the system and/or application software in a centre is unusual it may be necessary for the centre to convert the downloaded data files to a suitable form as outlined below. In all cases, the centre should ensure the data files are in a suitable form well before the test takes place.

Each data file may contain:

• unstructured text (eg the content of a memo) - this should be stored locally in a form which allows candidates to insert (or import or copy) the text into a document in a word processor;
• structured text representing comma-separated data (eg for use in spreadsheets or database records; the first line in such files will usually contain column/field headings) - this should be stored locally in a form which allows candidates to insert (or import or copy) the data into a sheet in spreadsheet software or a table in database software;
• an image (eg a logo, a picture for a newsletter) - this should be stored locally in a form which allows candidates to insert (or import or copy) the image into a document in a word processor, a sheet in spreadsheet software or a report in database software.

Where it is not possible to download an image file or store it locally in a suitable form, the centre should identify an appropriate image (from clip art or another source, image detail not important) and create an equivalent data file for candidates to use.

If you have difficulties with downloading data files or with making them available to candidates in a suitable form, please note these difficulties in an e-mail to: keyskills@qca.org.uk

For each file, click on the link to view the contents on screen, then select "Save As..." from the File menu, and specify the location where you wish to save the data file on your system. Alternatively right click (PC) or ctrl click (Mac), then choose the "Save Target As..." option.

Those familiar with using ZIP files may instead prefer to download all the files together in one of these compressed forms. This will create the preferred subdirectory structure using the scenario names.  This is the method which is recommended by QCA.

Level 3

Download the Level_3.zip file.

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Level 4

Download the Level_4.zip file.

Data files with a * indicate that a common file is used in more than one paper.

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Example tests

The ICT key skills tests at level 3 and 4 are based on the use of data files. Examples of such tests are provided here, complete with mark schemes and example printouts. These supplement earlier example tests that do not use data files but are otherwise similar and are based on the same test guidance.

The data files are provided in advance of the tests and candidates should be familiar with the process of importing these files into appropriate software, as they will be required to do this in the tests. They should use the data to prepare for the tests by practising typical tasks, as illustrated in the example tests on the right and the earlier examples.

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