Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91896 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to write a working computer program using advanced programming techniques. Your program needs to handle at least two different types of data (like numbers and text), use proper decision-making and loops, take input and produce output, and use at least two advanced techniques like functions, lists, or event handling. The work is judged on how well you code it, test it, and document it with clear comments.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91896?

Accepted Answer

1. Write a complete program in a suitable programming language that does what it's supposed to do 2. Use at least two advanced programming techniques (like creating functions with parameters, working with lists or arrays, string manipulation, or responding to button clicks in a graphical interface) 3. Set out your code neatly and add clear comments explaining what different parts do 4. Test your program thoroughly with different inputs to make sure it works correctly and fix any bugs 5. Handle edge cases and invalid inputs so your program doesn't crash

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91896?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: Your program works and uses advanced techniques, but your testing is basic (only typical cases) and your documentation could be clearer. Merit: Your program is well-documented with clear names and comments, you follow the language's conventions, and you test both normal situations and boundary cases (like edge values). Excellence: Your program is well-designed and structured, it handles unexpected inputs gracefully, it's flexible enough to adapt to changes, and you've tested it comprehensively across all scenarios.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91896?

Accepted Answer

1. Testing only happy-path scenarios and not checking what happens with edge cases or invalid inputs 2. Weak or missing documentation — not explaining what your code does or using unclear variable names 3. Using basic techniques instead of genuinely advanced ones like functions with parameters, data collections, or event handling

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