Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91080 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to show you understand the main parts of a computer system and how they work together. You need to describe what different hardware components (like the motherboard, memory, and storage), peripherals (like keyboard and monitor), and software (like the operating system) do, how they connect to each other, and what limits their ability to work with other components. You also need to know the proper steps for installing or replacing these parts.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91080?

Accepted Answer

1. Describe the purpose of at least two personal computer hardware components (such as motherboard, processor, memory, storage) and at least two peripherals (such as keyboard, mouse, monitor), plus the operating system, device drivers, and security software 2. Explain how these components connect to each other and how data flows between them in a basic computer system 3. Identify the technical specifications and characteristics of each component that affect whether they can work together (interoperability) and what factors limit this 4. Outline the correct procedure or protocol for installing or replacing a physical component or software program

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91080?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You describe what different computer components do, how they connect, what their key characteristics are, and the steps to install or replace them. Merit: You explain how a component's purpose determines how it connects to others and how data moves through the system, and you explain why certain technical characteristics limit which components can work together. Excellence: You discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the connections between components and explain how different technical specifications affect whether components can work together, considering cost, efficiency, and the situation where they'll be used.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91080?

Accepted Answer

1. Not covering all the required system software components — students often forget to include device drivers, disk utilities, or security software alongside the operating system 2. Describing components without explaining how they actually connect to each other or how data moves between them 3. Listing technical specifications without explaining how those specifications affect whether components can work together or be used in different situations

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