BTEC National Computing: Programming Paper Requirements

Conducting External Assessments

This paper must be read in conjunction with the unit information in the specification and the BTEC Nationals Instructions for Conducting External Assessments (ICEA) document.
See the Pearson website for details. Refer carefully to the instructions in this task booklet and the BTEC Nationals Instructions for Conducting External Assessments (ICEA) document to ensure that the assessment is supervised correctly.
The set task should be carried out under supervised conditions on a computer. An electronic template for use in activities 3 and 4 will be provided for centres to
download for candidate use. The task must be completed using a C family language or Python 3.4 or later version. Access to the offline help files contained within your chosen development environment is permitted.
Centres are free to arrange the supervised assessment period how they wish provided the six hours for producing final outcomes are under the level of control specified, and in accordance with the conduct procedures.
Teachers/tutors and/or invigilators may clarify the wording that appears in this task but cannot provide any guidance in completion of the task.
Teachers/tutors and invigilators should note that they are responsible for maintaining security and for reporting issues to Pearson.
Maintaining Security
• Learners must not bring anything into the supervised environment or take anything out.
• Centres are responsible for putting in place appropriate checks to ensure that only permitted material is introduced into the supervised environment.
• Internet access is not permitted.
• Learner work must be regularly backed up. Learners should save their work to their folder using the naming instructions indicated in each activity.
• During any permitted break, and at the end of the session, materials must be kept securely and no items removed from the supervised environment.
• Learners can only access their work under supervision.
• User areas must only be accessible to the individual learners and to named members of staff.
• Any materials being used by learners must be collected in at the end of each session, stored securely and handed back at the beginning of the next session.

You must complete ALL activities within the set task. Produce your documents using a computer.
Save your documents in your folder ready for submission using the formats and naming conventions indicated.
Activity 1
Produce a flowchart, using British Computing Society symbols, to plan the logic and processes for the program.
Save your flowchart as a PDF in your folder for submission as activity1flowchart_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name] You are advised to spend 1 hour and 10 minutes on this activity.
Activity 2
Produce pseudocode that a software developer could use to create the program. Save your pseudocode as a PDF in your folder for submission as activity2pseudocode_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name] You are advised to spend 1 hour and 10 minutes on this activity.
Activity 3
Use the document testplan.rtf to plan the testing of your complete program. You should complete these columns:
• Test number
• Purpose of test
• Test data
• Expected result.
You will need to save this file so that you can complete the testing in activity 4. Save your test plan as a PDF in your folder for submission as activity3testplan_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name] You are advised to spend 35 minutes on this activity.
Activity 4
Use your flowchart, pseudocode and test plan to help write and test your program. You should:
• write a program that meets the scenario requirements
• use a C family language or Python 3.4 or later version
• test your solution throughout the development process to ensure that it functions as expected
• record the outcomes of your testing and any actions taken in your test plan document.
Your evidence should include:
• a copy of your code containing annotations/comments
• a copy of your fully completed test plan document. Save your code as a PDF and as a .txt file in your folder for submission as
activity4code_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name] Save your testing document as a PDF in your folder for submission as activity4testing_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name] You are advised to spend 2 hours and 20 minutes on this activity.
Activity 5
Evaluate your program solution.
You should cover:
• how well your solution meets the requirements of the scenario
• the quality and performance of your program
• the choices you made about coding conventions
• the changes you made during the development process.

Save your evaluation as a PDF in your folder for submission as activity5evaluation_[Registration number]_[surname]_[first letter of first name]