Computer Applications Technology Grade 12 ATP 2026: Annual Teaching Plan & Curriculum Breakdown

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The Grade 12 Computer Applications Technology (CAT) curriculum is designed to produce digitally literate learners who can solve everyday problems using integrated software. For the Class of 2026, success in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) relies on mastering advanced spreadsheets, database design, HTML coding, and the year-long Practical Assessment Task (PAT).

This guide outlines the 2026 CAT Annual Teaching Plan (ATP), providing a structured weekly roadmap to help learners and teachers navigate the syllabus from system technologies to web development.

Computer Applications Technology Grade 12 ATP 2026

The curriculum is practical-heavy, requiring significant lab time for Solution Development (Word, Excel, Access, HTML) alongside theoretical studies of Networks and System Technologies.

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Term 1: Systems, Databases & PAT Phase 1

Focus: The first term covers the “guts” of computing (hardware/software theory) and advanced practical skills in Word and Excel, while kicking off the PAT.

  • Weeks 1–3: Systems Technologies (Theory)
    • General: Types of users (Personal, SOHO, Power) and the information processing cycle.
    • Hardware: Input/Output devices (HDMI, 3D printers), storage (SSD), and troubleshooting.
    • Software: Accessibility software, web-based vs. installed apps, and system requirements.
  • Weeks 4–5: Solution Development (Databases)
    • Design: Designing reports with grouped headers/footers and calculations (SUM, AVG).
    • Queries: Using wildcards (*), IS NULL, and boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT).
  • Weeks 6–7: Solution Development (Spreadsheets)
    • Functions: NESTED IF, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, XLOOKUP (new), and error indicators like #N/A.
    • Date/Time: Calculations using TODAY, NOW, YEAR, and datedif.
  • Weeks 8–9: Solution Development (Word Processing)
    • Advanced Features: Reviewing/tracking changes, indexing, tables of figures, and pagination control (widow/orphan).
    • Electronic Forms: Creating legacy controls and importing data.
  • Weeks 10–11: Information Management & PAT
    • PAT Phase 1: Setting questionnaires, gathering data, and planning the formal report.
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Term 1 Assessments

  • Task 1: Theory Test (Minimum 50 Marks).
  • Task 2: Practical Test (Minimum 50 Marks).
  • PAT Phase 1: Must be completed before the end of the term.

Term 2: Networks, HTML & Web Design

Focus: The second term explores how computers connect (Networks), the dark side of tech (Social Implications), and web development (HTML).

  • Weeks 1–2: Network Technologies (Theory)
    • WAN: Internet services, broadband vs. bandwidth, throttling, shaping, and the fair use policy.
    • Technologies: NFC, VPNs, and routing.
  • Week 3: Social Implications (Theory)
    • Cyber Crime: Phishing, spoofing, pharming, and ransomware.
    • Trends: Blockchain, Bitcoin, 4IR, 5IR, and crowdfunding.
  • Weeks 4–5: HTML & Web Design
    • Coding: Creating tables (tags and attributes), text functions, and linking to target locations (anchors).
    • Design: Principles of good website layout and color usage.
  • Weeks 6–9: Integrated Solution Development
    • Spreadsheets: Mail merge using different data sources (CSV, Excel).
    • Database: Interpreting data types and validation rules without instructions.
    • Word: Object linking and embedding (OLE).

Term 2 Assessments

  • Task 3: Alternative Task / Test (Minimum 50 Marks).
  • PAT Phase 2: Must be completed before the end of the term.
  • Mid-Year Examination:
    • Paper 1 (Practical): 150 Marks.
    • Paper 2 (Theory): 150 Marks.

Term 3: Advanced Management & PAT Completion

Focus: The third term finalizes the PAT (Phase 3) and covers advanced system management and internet communication tools.

  • Weeks 1–2: PAT & Information Management
    • Processing and analyzing gathered data for the final PAT report.
  • Week 3: System Software (Theory)
    • Management: Role of the OS, scheduling, updates, backups, and file management (extracting password-protected files).
  • Week 4: Internet Technologies (Theory)
    • Digital communications, video conferencing, and browser features.
  • Week 5: Social Implications
    • Trends: Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and geotagging.
    • Work: Telecommuting, e-learning, and blended learning.
  • Weeks 6–8: Advanced Practical
    • Spreadsheets: Advanced graph interpretation and statistical functions.
    • Database: Techniques of integration with other software and managing multiple related tables.
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Term 3 Assessments

  • PAT Phase 3: Final completion of the project.
  • Task 5 (Trial Exam):
    • Paper 1 (Practical): 150 Marks.
    • Paper 2 (Theory): 150 Marks.

Term 4: Final Assessment

Focus: The final term is dedicated to revision and the external NSC examinations.

  • Weeks 1–2: Consolidation of all practical and theoretical concepts using case studies.
  • Final Assessment:NSC Final Examinations.
    • Paper 1 (Practical): 3 Hours.
    • Paper 2 (Theory): 3 Hours.

FAQ: CAT Grade 12

Q: What HTML tags do I need to know? A: You need to master basic text formatting (bold, italics), lists (ordered/unordered), images, links (anchors), and crucially, tables (including cellpadding, border, and colspan/rowspan).

Q: Is the PAT compulsory? A: Yes, the Practical Assessment Task (PAT) counts for 25% of your final NSC mark. It is done over three terms:

  1. Phase 1: Research & Planning (Term 1).
  2. Phase 2: Data Analysis & Solution (Term 2).
  3. Phase 3: Final Report & Webpage (Term 3).

Q: What new spreadsheet functions are in the syllabus? A: The ATP specifically mentions XLOOKUP, TEXTJOIN, IFS, and SWITCH as modern functions to be familiar with, alongside standard ones like VLOOKUP and NESTED IF.

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