FAQ

What is meant by the acronym ‘CAPS’?

Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement
This is the new curriculum that has just been rolled out in place of the National Curriculum
Statement (NCS).

When was CAPS phased in for each particular grade?

2012: Grades 1, 2, 3 and 10
2013: Grades 4, 5, 6 and 11
2014: Grades 7, 8, 9 and 12

What is meant by the acronyms ‘GET’ and FET’??

General Education and Training (GET) band, consisting of:

Foundation Phase (Grades R – 3)
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 – 6)
Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)

Further Education and Training (FET) band, consisting of Grades 10 – 12

What is the difference between The Answer Series 3 in 1, 2 in 1 and P&A books?

A 3 in 1 book contains:

extensive notes per module / topic
questions and answers per module / topic
exam papers and answers or exam-type questions and answers.

A 2 in 1 book contains:

questions and answers per module / topic
exam papers and answers.

A P&A book contains:

only exam papers and answers.

Are the exam papers and answers the same in the 3 in 1, 2 in 1 and P&A books?

Not as a rule.

A 2 in 1 book and a P&A book could have one exam in common, but no more.

Where did you find CAPS exam papers and answers?

Other than the exemplars that may be provided during the year, official CAPS exams will only exist from November 2014. However, recognising that learners need to prepare for the CAPS exams, our authors have created exams in strict accordance with the requirements of both the CAPS curriculum and, in the case of the Grade 12 books, the 2014 Exam Guidelines. Some of these exams are original, some are based on previous National and IEB exams, but all are in line with CAPS specifications.

Are the latest exam papers included in all our Grade 12 books?

Not generally. However, we revise the selection of exam papers in all our books from time to time. For Maths and Physical Sciences we do so more regularly than for other subjects. In addition, we regularly incorporate various new questions from National and/or IEB exams where deemed appropriate.

What does the acronym ‘IEB’ stand for?

Independent Examination Board.

This organisation offers an alternative set of exams to the Department of Basic Education’s National exams.

Do all independent / private schools write IEB exams?

No, not all independent / private schools write IEB exams.

Some write the Department of Basic Education’s National exams.

To what extent do your books cater for IEB learners?

We regularly supply The Answer Series books to approximately 100 IEB schools and have received only positive feedback from them.

In most cases the Department of Basic Education’s National exams and the IEB’s exams are based on the same curriculum. It is mainly the approach to exam questions that may differ.

However, we would prefer to answer this question more accurately for each subject.

Which of our books have IEB exam papers and answers?

At this stage, no IEB exam papers exist for CAPS.

However, in most of our subjects we offer material that is appropriate for IEB learners.

What does the acronym NSC stand for?

National Senior Certificate

The final matriculation exam, whether National Department of Education or IEB, is referred to as the National Senior Certificate exam.

Do you change / upgrade your books every year?

No, we continually make changes and improvements to our publications in response to the latest departmental documents and examinations as and when they occur, and in response to the need of learners and teachers.

We have no ‘outdated’ books on our shelves.

How do you source your authors?

With care!
We choose experienced people who are passionate about their subject and can relate to young people.

When should I use a Maths 3 in 1 or 2 in 1 book, and when should I use a Maths P&A book?

The 3 in 1 and 2 in 1 books are comprehensive study guides, offering material in topics, while the P&A books are exam practice only.

What does the Grade 10 Maths Class Text contain?

The Learner’s Book (LB) contains notes and exercises, activities and investigations, revision exercises, and exam papers and answers.

The Teacher’s Guide (TG) contains curriculum and exam information, guidance on planning and content, full solutions for exercises and exams, and a synopsis of the relevant documents from the Department of Basic Education (DoBE).

The LB and TG have to be used together, as the one contains the questions and the other the answers.

What is the difference between the Grade 10 Maths Class Text and the Grade 10 Maths 3 in 1?

The material is basically the same, except:

The Grade 10 Maths Class Text is a textbook, and so contains activities, investigations, projects, etc. It has ANSWERS to all the exercises, but the FULL SOLUTIONS are contained in the Teacher’s Guide.
The Grade 10 Maths 3 in 1 is a stand-alone study guide where the full solutions are included.

How would a learner benefit from using the book Patterns & Modelling??

This book would benefit learners seeking to explore maths beyond the bounds of the curriculum. It would benefit teachers looking for innovative ideas for investigations and extension.

Patterns are fundamental to many sections of mathematics, and modelling offers real-life situations in which to apply patterns. (The content is exploratory and is not aligned to any particular curriculum).

When I want to buy a Physical Sciences or Accounting book, should I choose the 3 in 1 or the 2 in 1 book??

If you would like a book that includes notes, then buy the 3 in 1. If not, buy the 2 in 1.

Why is Grade 12 Life Sciences split into two books?

It is a massive subject that could not be incorporated into one book.

What is the emphasis on in your English Home Language (HL) and your English First Additional Language (FAL) books??

Both the English HL books and the English FAL books cover each of the four skills: Listening and Speaking, Reading and Viewing, Writing and Presenting, and Language Structures and Conventions. However, the Reading and Viewing sections do not cover all the prescribed literature texts because of space constraints. Instead some general pointers are given. Each book gives a sample Paper 1 and its memo.

In addition, each of the English FAL books comes with a CD to accompany its Listening and Speaking section.

What is the approximate price increase per year?

7 – 10% (in July).

Why should learners and teachers use The Answer Series?

The Answer Series study guides are accessible and up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive.

They can be used without a teacher by learners wanting to raise their marks.

Teachers can use The Answer Series study guides in the classroom or for homework activities in order to increase learners’ achievements.

In addition, teachers wanting to refresh their subject knowledge can use The Answer Series study guides to do this, as they are written in line with the CAPS curriculum and the 2014 Exam Guidelines.

Winners are simply willing to do what losers won’t.