Grade 12 — Study by Term Grade 12
Based on the 2026 IT CAPS. Grade 12 introduces SQL (Term 1), OOP & 2D arrays (Term 2). Paper 2 is cumulative across all Grades 10–12.
Grade 12 Exam Structure
Paper 1 (3 hrs): Delphi programming — SQL, OOP, 2D arrays, recursion, file handling, arrays, general programming.
Paper 2 (3 hrs): All theory from Gr10–12.
T1
Term 1 • January – March
SQL (all statements + WHERE join); data management & database design theory
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY, DISTINCT
- Calculated fields, aliases (AS)
- LIKE, IN, BETWEEN, IS NULL, wildcards, dates (#)
- Aggregate: SUM, MIN, MAX, AVG, COUNT, TOP
- GROUP BY and HAVING
- INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
- SQL functions: ROUND, INT, LENGTH, LEFT, RIGHT, MID, FORMAT
- Date functions: DAY, MONTH, YEAR, DATE
- Joining tables using WHERE (single join)
- Parameterised queries (one parameter)
- All SQL via TADOQuery in Delphi
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Data collection: forms, RFID, cookies, transactions, loyalty cards
- Data warehousing vs databases
- Data mining: processes & practical examples
- Caring for data: validation, verification, integrity, access control
- Characteristics of a good database
- Referential integrity
- Database anomalies (insertion, deletion, modification)
- Normalisation: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF
- Mobile hardware & performance factors
- Mobile tech privacy implications (personal & business)
- Big Data, warehousing & mining: social implications
T2
Term 2 • April – June (incl. mid-year exam)
OOP & 2D arrays; cloud/AI/VR/AR, cybercrime
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- OOP concepts: class, object, instance
- Non-parameterised & parameterised constructors
- Private attributes vs public methods
- Accessor (Get) methods
- Mutator (Set) methods
- Auxiliary methods
- ToString method
- Correct instantiation of objects
- 2D arrays: declaration & syntax
- Populating with nested FOR loops
- Row totals, column totals, element access
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Computer management: housekeeping, integrity, system protection
- Cloud computing: SaaS, advantages, hardware effects
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): uses, advantages, limitations
- VR: uses, hardware/software requirements, limitations
- AR & Mixed Reality: uses, hardware, limitations
- Virtualisation: uses & benefits
- Computer criminals: hackers, crackers, cyber gangs
- Types of cybercrime: identity theft, ransomware, phishing, botnets
- Effects of cybercrime
- Safeguards against cybercrime
T3
Term 3 • July – September (prelim + PAT due)
Consolidation; internet services, networks, communication security & social implications
🔬 Practical (Paper 1) — Consolidation
- Past paper practice: full Paper 1 (2019–2025)
- Complex SQL (join + aggregate + GROUP BY)
- OOP multi-class scenarios
- 2D array exam scenarios
- Recursion varied problems & tracing
- File handling & CSV processing
- 1D array sort/search/parallel
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Semantic search, mediated search, SEO
- Online apps: cookies, PHP/JS/XML, CSS, AJAX
- Switch, cables, wireless base station
- Internet connections: fibre, Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, satellite
- Sharing files/folders, user rights, BitTorrent
- Remote access (LAN, Internet, VPN)
- SSL, public/private keys, digital certificates, firewall
- Review Gr11 data security (blockchain, encryption, MFA)
- Computers solving national/global problems
- Social networking evolution & its effects
- Privacy: cookies, anonymity, GUIDs, file sharing
T4
Term 4 • September – November — Final Exams
No new content — case studies, exam revision
🔬 Paper 1 High-Priority Areas
- Q1: General programming (strings, loops, decisions)
- Q2: Arrays & text file handling
- Q3: OOP with multiple method types
- Q4: SQL + database programming (incl. join)
📘 Paper 2 High-Priority Areas
- Hardware, networks, internet (cumulative Gr10–12)
- Normalisation (1NF/2NF/3NF) — always appears
- Social implications & cybercrime
- Check Exam Extras for out-of-CAPS questions