Total accuracy: match the source exactly
Every character must match the exact source: spelling and capitalisation (wrong case or a missing letter is an error even where the meaning is clear), spacing and punctuation (single vs double spaces, a missing comma), and numbers entered exactly — never rounded, never with a decimal place added or dropped. Auto-correct and auto-format can silently change what was typed, so proofread the final text and numbers against the source after typing.
Editing techniques: highlight, cut, copy
Every technique starts by highlighting (selecting) the exact text or object, so the next action affects only it. Delete removes it, keeping nothing on the clipboard. Cut removes it to the clipboard (one copy remains); copy duplicates it without removing the original (two remain). Paste inserts the clipboard content at the cursor. Drag and drop moves it directly, without a clipboard step. The key check is cut (a move) vs copy (a duplication).
Object sources and three wrap styles
Objects can be placed from many sources: text, image, screenshot, shapes, table, graph/chart, spreadsheet extract and database extract. An extract is placed straight from the originating application, never retyped. Text is wrapped around it in three named styles: square (a rectangular gap around the whole object, even if irregular), tight (following the object's actual outline/contour) and top-and-bottom (text only above and below, none beside it).
Drawn from real examiner reports.
Cut removes it; copy duplicates it
"Cut" and "copy" are tested precisely. Cut removes the original to the clipboard, so after pasting one copy remains; copy leaves the original in place and duplicates it, so two exist. A "move" instruction needs cut (or drag and drop) — using copy leaves an unwanted duplicate behind. A "duplicate" instruction needs copy — using cut empties the original location.
Leftover spacing after a move
When a paragraph is moved or cut-and-pasted, the content can end up in the right place yet the spacing be wrong: candidates leave an extra blank line at the old position, or fail to add the correct blank line at the new one, so paragraph spacing is no longer consistent. After any move, re-check the spacing before and after both the old and new positions.
w23 P02 Q7
Auto-correct silently breaks accuracy
A word-processor's auto-correct can change a word it does not recognise or capitalise a letter, and auto-format can reformat a typed number or symbol — all without the candidate noticing. The on-screen text then no longer matches the source, even though it was typed carefully. Proofread the final text and numbers against the source before finishing.
Square boundary vs tight contour
Square and tight are different named styles, not synonyms for "wrap text around it". Square keeps a rectangular gap around the whole object, even where it is irregular. Tight makes the text follow the object's actual outline/contour. Choosing square when the task says text must follow the object's real shape loses the mark.
Top-and-bottom = no text beside it
Top-and-bottom (above and below) is the only style that keeps text entirely off both sides of the object — text runs only above and below it. Square and tight both still allow text to run down the side within their boundary. When an instruction says no text may appear beside the object on either side, square or tight will not satisfy it; only top-and-bottom does.
Place extracts, never retype them
A spreadsheet extract or database extract must be placed from the originating application, bringing the real values across unchanged. Retyping the data by hand risks a transcription error (a mistyped or misread value) and does not demonstrate the placement skill being assessed. Place the extract from its source; do not rekey the values by hand.
Drag-and-drop needs both ends visible
Drag and drop requires the content's current position and its destination to be visible on screen at once, because it is dragged directly between them; over a long distance that is impractical. Cut-and-paste has no such limit — the cut content is held on the clipboard, so you can scroll anywhere before pasting. Match the technique to the distance of the move.
Match technique to the instruction word
Read the instruction word and pick the technique: "move" -> cut-and-paste or drag-and-drop; "duplicate"/"also add" -> copy-and-paste; "remove" -> delete. Highlight exactly the content named first — an extra highlighted space, or a missing final character, both cause errors.
Place objects from source, not retyped
Place a spreadsheet or database extract straight from the originating application, preserving its actual values — never retype the data. Retyping risks transcription errors and does not demonstrate the object-placement skill being tested.
Apply the exact named wrap style
Square, tight and top-and-bottom are three distinct, named wrap styles, not interchangeable words for "wrap text around it". Re-read the instruction to confirm which one is asked for and apply that one — the specific style is the examinable skill.
Screenshot the full, uncropped page
Screenshot the finished page so the outcome is fully visible — the placed object, its wrap and any moved content — uncropped and legible without magnification. Evidence that crops out the affected area cannot show the examiner the task was done correctly.
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