Task 7 Programming Skill Guide

This guide helps you prepare for the programming practical test. The goal is not to memorise one answer. The goal is to be able to read a short scenario, build the logic, test it and explain it.

The Five-Minute Reading Routine

When the test starts, spend the first few minutes marking up the task:

Circle the inputs the user must enter.
Underline the processing the program must perform.
Box the outputs the program must display.
Mark each required decision with IF.
Mark each repeated action with LOOP.
Write the main variable names before coding.

Input, Processing And Output

Program part	What it means	Example
Input	Data entered by the user or provided to the program.	study minutes, score, name, menu choice
Processing	Work done by the program.	calculate total, compare score, update counter
Output	Information shown by the program.	total time, feedback, final score

Strong practical work keeps these three parts connected. If the program asks for a value but never uses it, the logic is weak. If the program calculates a value but never outputs it, the user cannot benefit from it.

Data Types

Data type	Use when	Example values
Integer	The value is a whole number.	0, 12, 45
Real	The value may include a decimal.	3.5, 72.25
Boolean	The value is true or false.	`isBalanced`, `hasPassed`
Character	A single character is stored.	`Y`, `N`, `A`

In many practical tests, student names and longer labels are stored as text/string values in the programming language even though the syllabus list names character as the core data type. Use the type supported by the class programming environment and explain the purpose clearly.

Variable Naming

Good variable names explain what is stored:

theoryMinutes
practiceMinutes
totalMinutes
balancedCount
menuChoice

Weak variable names hide meaning:

x
thing
num1
stuff

Control Structures

Sequence

Sequence means the instructions run in order.

INPUT theoryMinutes
INPUT practiceMinutes
totalMinutes <- theoryMinutes + practiceMinutes
OUTPUT totalMinutes

One-Way Selection

One-way selection performs an action only if the condition is true.

IF totalMinutes < 30 THEN
  OUTPUT "Short session"
ENDIF

Two-Way Selection

Two-way selection chooses between two paths.

IF score >= 50 THEN
  OUTPUT "Pass"
ELSE
  OUTPUT "Resit needed"
ENDIF

Multi-Way Selection

Multi-way selection chooses between more than two paths.

IF totalMinutes < 30 THEN
  feedback <- "Short session"
ELSE IF totalMinutes <= 60 THEN
  feedback <- "Balanced session"
ELSE
  feedback <- "Long session"
ENDIF

Fixed Iteration

Fixed iteration repeats a known number of times.

FOR session <- 1 TO 3
  INPUT studyMinutes
  OUTPUT studyMinutes
ENDFOR

Test-First Iteration

Test-first iteration checks the condition before the loop body runs.

WHILE choice <> "Q"
  INPUT choice
ENDWHILE

Test-Last Iteration

Test-last iteration runs at least once before checking the condition.

REPEAT
  INPUT choice
UNTIL choice = "Q"

Testing

Test data type	Purpose	Example for allowed score 0-10
Normal	Checks expected valid input.	6
Boundary	Checks values at or near the edge.	0, 10, -1, 11
Invalid	Checks data that should be rejected.	text, blank, negative number

Trace Tables

A trace table tracks variable values as an algorithm runs. Use it to find logic errors.

Example algorithm:

total <- 0
FOR count <- 1 TO 3
  INPUT minutes
  total <- total + minutes
ENDFOR
OUTPUT total

Trace table:

count	minutes	total
start	-	0
1	10	10
2	15	25
3	20	45

Error Types

Error type	What it means	Example
Syntax error	The code breaks language rules.	missing bracket, misspelled keyword
Run-time error	The program starts but crashes while running.	division by zero, invalid conversion
Logical error	The program runs but gives the wrong result.	using `<` when `<=` is needed

Practical Test Advice

Build the simplest working version first.
Test after each feature.
Use comments to explain decisions, calculations and loop purpose.
If a feature partly works, leave evidence of what works.
If you cannot fix an error, write what the error is and what you tried.

Programming skill guide