The WAEC Syllabus for Data Processing examination is derived from the Senior Secondary School curriculum on Data Processing published by the NERDC. It is designed to test basic knowledge and skills acquisition in data processing. A conceptual approach was used in preparing the syllabus, considering areas that would encourage the development of entrepreneurial skills for everyday living. This syllabus is not a teaching syllabus. It is an examination syllabus. Teachers are therefore advised to use the national teaching syllabus for the teaching-learning process

The objectives of the syllabus are to test candidates’

• acquisition of basic skills of data processing and management;
• level of competence in ICT applications that will promote the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for everyday living in the global world;
• knowledge in the application of ICT in facilitating business transaction and education;
• preparedness for further studies in Data Processing and Management.

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2 both of which shall be taken as a composite paper at one sitting. Paper 1 will consist of forty multiple-choice objective questions, all of which are to be answered in 1 hour for 40 marks. Paper 2 will consist of two sections: Sections A and B. Candidates will be required to answer five questions in all.

Section A: will consist of four essay questions. Candidates will be required to answer any three in 1 hour for 30 marks.

Section B: will be a test of practical work. It shall consist of two compulsory essay questions to be answered in 1 hour for 40 marks.

Detailed WAEC Syllabus for Data processing

1. Information age
   • History of Computers
2. Data and Information
3. Basic computing
4. Basic computing
   • Classification of Computers Application of ICT in everyday life
5. Components of Computers
6. Information processing: The art of Information processing
7. Information transmission: Process of Information transmission
8. Medium of Information Transmission
9. Networking
10. Internet
11. Tools for processing information: Tools for processing information
12. Word Processing
13. Spreadsheet
14. Database Management System
15. Presentation Package
16. Web Design Packages
17. Graphic Packages
18. Computer maintenance, ethics and human issues: Maintenance of Computer
19. Computer Ethics
20. Safety Measures
21. Career opportunities in Data Processing
22. Computer Virus
23. Data management: Relational Model
24. File Organization
25. Database Security
26. Parallel and Distributed databases

List of facilities and major equipment/materials required

The table below shows the minimum requirement for a class of fifty candidates.

1. Five pictures/Charts showing different computing devices and other relevant information such as computers in a network
2. Five Computer systems with Graphical User Interface (GUI), internet ready system;
3. One standard software packages such as Open Office, Microsoft office etc.(Latest version is desirable)
   Multimedia systems and applications such as projector, speakers
4. One graphic packages such as Corel draw.

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