← Summarising the development of a digital outcome

Writing under CAT conditions: the word limit and no internet

The exam-room constraints shape how this summary must be PLANNED, not just written — the same discipline as any Common Assessment Task with no outside resources.

Planning for the constraints

  • WORD LIMIT (800–1,500): anything written beyond it is simply not read — draft each part's key JUDGEMENT first, then the supporting description, so if time runs short, the judgement (which carries the marks) is what survives.
  • NO INTERNET: any fact, quote, or example used must already be memorised or included in the prepared images — nothing can be looked up during the assessment.
  • NO ACCESS TO THE OUTCOME ITSELF (current template): the three prepared images ARE your only visual reference — choose them so each one supports a specific point you plan to make, not just to show the outcome looks finished.
  • REHEARSE THE WORDING IN ADVANCE: draft short notes for each expected part before the day, so the actual writing time is spent EXPANDING prepared material, not inventing it from scratch.
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Treating the word limit as generous because the outcome has a lot to say

Every project has more to describe than 800–1,500 words allows — the limit forces PRIORITISING the judgement-bearing content (trade-offs, evaluations, reflections) over pure description. Spending the word budget describing features in detail, then running out of room for the reflection, sacrifices the highest-value part of the summary for the lowest-value part.
Content typeRelative value under the word limit
Pure description (features, software used)Lowest — write concisely
Explained decisions with examplesMedium — worth real detail
Trade-offs, evaluations, reflectionsHighest — draft and protect this first

Practice for this standard covers the whole topic — flashcards and quiz.