SACE Stage 2 Digital Technologies study plan

Decompose three unfamiliar problems into sub-problems and write the decomposition for each

Trace simple algorithms by hand, recording variable state after every step, for at least five short programs

Identify and name the control structures (sequence, selection, iteration) used in ten given code fragments

Explain in writing how abstraction and pattern recognition reduce a problem's complexity, using one worked example

Construct flowcharts or pseudocode for four algorithms, including one nested-selection and one nested-iteration case

Compare linear search with binary search by counting comparisons on a sorted list of 16 items

Write and hand-test a sorting routine on a 10-item list, recording each pass

Distinguish between algorithm correctness and efficiency and justify a choice between two candidate solutions

Write a requirements specification for a small application, separating functional from non-functional requirements

Produce user stories with acceptance criteria for at least six features

Draw a structure chart or module diagram that maps each requirement to a component

Select and justify a development approach (iterative vs waterfall-style) for the specified application

Implement a working prototype that satisfies at least four of the specified requirements

Apply defensive programming: validate inputs and handle at least three error conditions

Refactor one module to remove duplication and record what changed and why

Peer-review another solution against a checklist and log three actionable findings

Design a normalised (to third normal form) relational schema for a described scenario

Write SQL queries using SELECT, WHERE, JOIN, GROUP BY and aggregate functions to answer five set questions

Distinguish between data, information and knowledge using three examples from your own project

Identify at least four data-quality issues (accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency) in a supplied sample dataset

Collect and clean a small dataset, documenting each transformation step

Create two visualisations that answer a stated question and critique each for misleading design

Explain how encryption, authentication and access control protect stored data

Evaluate one legal or ethical obligation (privacy, intellectual property, or data minimisation) against your dataset handling

Describe the roles of hardware, operating systems, networks and protocols in a client-server interaction

Compare two network topologies or architectures against cost, reliability and performance criteria

Analyse two emerging technologies for benefits, risks and stakeholders affected

Explain the environmental and social impacts of one digital system using a lifecycle perspective

Complete two full-length practice papers under timed conditions

Categorise every error by domain and root cause (knowledge gap vs misreading vs method)

Re-teach the three weakest sub-topics by writing summary notes and worked examples

Assemble a one-page formula/technique sheet for algorithms, SQL and design notation