1
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Grade 12
PRELIM EXAM
Theory
2026
These notes were completed using old exam papers. SACAI Prelim/
September_ 2018, SACAI Prelim/ September_ 2019, SACAI Prelim/
September_ 2022. NSC AUGUST COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
P2 | 2023, SACAI Prelim/ September_ 2024, SACAI Prelim/ September_
2025
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated
annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and current exam requirements. This document is based on
past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to assist with
formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and learners are
encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you are unsure whether you
have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation and do not
replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Contents
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY 6
Hardware – Communication Devices 6
Software Technologies 10
Storage Devices 14
Troubleshooting 15
Networks 15
INTERNET AND NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES 16
Online Services 16
Communication Technologies 20
Digital communication 22
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS 23
General Social Implications: Key concepts 23
Cybersecurity 25
Environmental Impact 28
Ethics 30
SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT 31
Information Management 35
Data Organisation 40
Word processing: TOC, header/footer and Accessibility Checker 44
INTEGRATION 46
Section A: Multiple choice questions
Throttling This will happen if your ISP slows down your Internet connection.
GUI An interface type that is represented graphically by means of icons and
other visual aids.
HTTPS Refers to a protocol that provides a measure of protection to users of
websites when online banking is done
Blockchain A blockchain is a shared digital ledger that stores information in blocks.
technology Each block is linked to the previous block. The ledger is distributed across
many computers instead of being controlled by one central authority.
Once information is added and verified, it is very difficult to change.
Example:
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Bitcoin uses blockchain technology to record transactions without a bank
controlling the record.
Access point A device that is needed to get a connection to a wireless LAN.
Switch A device that causes communication between computers in a network
Landscape Refers to the orientation of a page in a word processing document
Carpal Tunnel The name given for injuries due to rapid repetitive actions.
Syndrome
Hardware The physical parts of a computer are called hardware.
URL Uniform Resource Locator.
Another name for a web address.
A soft copy This is the information visible on the screen and not printed on paper.
Multitasking of An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software
the operating processes to run at the same time.
system
VOIP Voice-over-Internet Protocol
ISP This is your Internet service provider.
(Internet The provider allows you to connect to the internet.
service
provider)
OCR A type of software that recognises characters in a scanned image.
"Optical Character Recognition."
Smart card A pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can process
data.
Hard drive A computer component found in fat/thick clients but not in thin client
computers.
Autofill A feature associated with a word processing application
A footnote A footnote is a source reference or text offering additional explanations
that is placed at the bottom of a page.
A router A router is a network device required for connecting a LAN to another
network.
Site license A site license is a type of license needed to install software on all the
computers in a computer centre.
Attributes ‘Hidden’ and ‘Read only’ are examples of file attributes.
Telecommuting Telecommuting is a work arrangement that allows employees to work
remotely, usually from home or another location outside of the traditional
office.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Biometrics Biometrics can be defined as the most practical means of identifying and
authenticating individuals in a reliable and fast way through unique
biological characteristics.
Cookie Cookies are small pieces of text sent to your browser by a website you
visit. They help that website remember information about your visit,
which can both make it easier to visit the site again and make the site
more useful to you.
Information.exe A file is most likely to be blocked by one’s e-mail system
Interface The way in which a user communicates with a computer is known as an
Interface.
=NOW () Function to return the current date and time.
Intellectual A term used to describe the ownership rights of a software developer.
Property
Wired A network that uses Ethernet cables to transfer data between computers.
Template A document containing the layout and formatting suggestions for a
specific type of document such as a fax or an agenda.
Content Website that gathers different web content from many different online
aggregator sources.
Plug-in Software that provides extra functionality to a web browser.
Theme Combined settings that control the layout, fonts and colours of an entire
document.
Task definition Explains how the investigation will be carried out in a research project
Rowspan The attribute to set the number of cells a row should span.
Geo-tagging ➢ When a picture is taken, the geographical position of the device is
determined.
➢ This information is added to the metadata of various media such
as a pictures/file.
Video camera/ Hardware components that can be used to record a video of a choir
Webcam/ singing.
Microphone
Grid computing • Grid computing usually consists of one main computer that
distributes information and tasks to a group of networked
computers to achieve a common goal.
• Mutual computer systems where the machines collectively use the
same resources.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Grade 12
PRELIM EXAM
Theory
2026
These notes were completed using old exam papers. SACAI Prelim/
September_ 2018, SACAI Prelim/ September_ 2019, SACAI Prelim/
September_ 2022. NSC AUGUST COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
P2 | 2023, SACAI Prelim/ September_ 2024, SACAI Prelim/ September_
2025
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated
annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and current exam requirements. This document is based on
past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to assist with
formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and learners are
encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you are unsure whether you
have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation and do not
replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Contents
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY 6
Hardware – Communication Devices 6
Software Technologies 10
Storage Devices 14
Troubleshooting 15
Networks 15
INTERNET AND NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES 16
Online Services 16
Communication Technologies 20
Digital communication 22
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS 23
General Social Implications: Key concepts 23
Cybersecurity 25
Environmental Impact 28
Ethics 30
SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT 31
Information Management 35
Data Organisation 40
Word processing: TOC, header/footer and Accessibility Checker 44
INTEGRATION 46
Section A: Multiple choice questions
Throttling This will happen if your ISP slows down your Internet connection.
GUI An interface type that is represented graphically by means of icons and
other visual aids.
HTTPS Refers to a protocol that provides a measure of protection to users of
websites when online banking is done
Blockchain A blockchain is a shared digital ledger that stores information in blocks.
technology Each block is linked to the previous block. The ledger is distributed across
many computers instead of being controlled by one central authority.
Once information is added and verified, it is very difficult to change.
Example:
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Bitcoin uses blockchain technology to record transactions without a bank
controlling the record.
Access point A device that is needed to get a connection to a wireless LAN.
Switch A device that causes communication between computers in a network
Landscape Refers to the orientation of a page in a word processing document
Carpal Tunnel The name given for injuries due to rapid repetitive actions.
Syndrome
Hardware The physical parts of a computer are called hardware.
URL Uniform Resource Locator.
Another name for a web address.
A soft copy This is the information visible on the screen and not printed on paper.
Multitasking of An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software
the operating processes to run at the same time.
system
VOIP Voice-over-Internet Protocol
ISP This is your Internet service provider.
(Internet The provider allows you to connect to the internet.
service
provider)
OCR A type of software that recognises characters in a scanned image.
"Optical Character Recognition."
Smart card A pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can process
data.
Hard drive A computer component found in fat/thick clients but not in thin client
computers.
Autofill A feature associated with a word processing application
A footnote A footnote is a source reference or text offering additional explanations
that is placed at the bottom of a page.
A router A router is a network device required for connecting a LAN to another
network.
Site license A site license is a type of license needed to install software on all the
computers in a computer centre.
Attributes ‘Hidden’ and ‘Read only’ are examples of file attributes.
Telecommuting Telecommuting is a work arrangement that allows employees to work
remotely, usually from home or another location outside of the traditional
office.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Biometrics Biometrics can be defined as the most practical means of identifying and
authenticating individuals in a reliable and fast way through unique
biological characteristics.
Cookie Cookies are small pieces of text sent to your browser by a website you
visit. They help that website remember information about your visit,
which can both make it easier to visit the site again and make the site
more useful to you.
Information.exe A file is most likely to be blocked by one’s e-mail system
Interface The way in which a user communicates with a computer is known as an
Interface.
=NOW () Function to return the current date and time.
Intellectual A term used to describe the ownership rights of a software developer.
Property
Wired A network that uses Ethernet cables to transfer data between computers.
Template A document containing the layout and formatting suggestions for a
specific type of document such as a fax or an agenda.
Content Website that gathers different web content from many different online
aggregator sources.
Plug-in Software that provides extra functionality to a web browser.
Theme Combined settings that control the layout, fonts and colours of an entire
document.
Task definition Explains how the investigation will be carried out in a research project
Rowspan The attribute to set the number of cells a row should span.
Geo-tagging ➢ When a picture is taken, the geographical position of the device is
determined.
➢ This information is added to the metadata of various media such
as a pictures/file.
Video camera/ Hardware components that can be used to record a video of a choir
Webcam/ singing.
Microphone
Grid computing • Grid computing usually consists of one main computer that
distributes information and tasks to a group of networked
computers to achieve a common goal.
• Mutual computer systems where the machines collectively use the
same resources.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
