Word Processing and Document Preparation
This section covers Word Processing and Document Preparation. The exam checks whether you can create, format, save, and print documents; use tables, headers, footers, and page setup; and apply consistent formatting rather than manual fixes.
Core rules and concepts
- Word wrap moves text to the next line automatically. Press Enter only to start a new paragraph, not at the end of every line.
- Use font, size, bold, italic, underline, alignment, line spacing, and margins for layout. Headings should be consistent.
- Page setup controls paper size, orientation, and margins. Headers and footers repeat information such as page numbers or document titles.
- Tables organise rows and columns. Spell check finds possible errors but does not replace proofreading.
- Save updates the current file; Save As creates a new file or changes format. Common formats include
.docxand.pdf. - Print preview shows what will print before you send the job.
Worked example
You must prepare a one-page school notice with a centred bold title, a 3-column table, and a footer page number.
Reasoning: Type the notice, select the title, centre it, and apply bold. Insert a table with 3 columns and enter data. Use Insert → Footer → Page Number. Check Print Preview, then save as .docx. Using styles and page setup gives a clean, repeatable result.
Traps that cost marks
Do not press Enter after every line. Do not use spaces to centre text. Do not confuse Save with Save As. Do not ignore the print preview: margins can cut off a table. Spell check will not catch a correctly spelled wrong word.