FAQ’s

Want to know more about The Answer Series and our study guides for high school learners? View our frequently asked questions page to get answers.

1. What is meant by these acronyms?

GET: General Education and Training (GET) band, consisting of:
• Foundation Phase (Grades R – 3)
• Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 – 6)
• Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)

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

IEB: Independent Examination Board
This organisation offers an alternative set of exams to the Department of Basic Education’s National exams.

NCS: National Senior Certificate

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

2. What do the different The Answer Series books contain?

Class Text & Study Guide (3-in-1)

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

Test & Exam Preparation (2-in-1)

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

Papers & Answers (P & A)

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

Not as a rule.
Our Test & Exam Preparation (2-in-1) book and a P & A book could have one exam in common, but no more.

4. 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.

5. When I want to buy a Physical Sciences or an 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 (Class Text & Study Guide). If not, buy the 2-in-1 (Test & Exam Preparation).

6. 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.

7. IEB/Private Schools

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.

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To what extent do your books cater for IEB learners?

We regularly supply The Answer Series books to over 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.

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Which of our books have IEB exam papers and answers?

In most of our subjects we offer material that is appropriate for IEB learners.

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All TAS Maths books, from Grade 8 to Grade 12 (and soon Grade 7),

are appropriate for both DBE (CAPS) and IEB learners.

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Grade 11 and Grade 12 P & A Books

These books were written mainly by IEB educators in the style of the IEB examinations, namely with Section A and Section B. However, they are suitable for the average to above average learner, following either the DBE (CAPS) or IEB curriculum. They are most appropriate for extra exam practice, as well as for some challenging questions.

8. 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.

9. How do you source your authors?

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

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

This book would benefit learners seeking to explore Mathematics 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).

11. Why is Grade 12 Life Sciences split into two books?

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

12. 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.

13. What is the approximate price increase per year?

7 – 10% (in July).

14. 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 learner’s 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.

15. Requests for pdf versions of our study guides

Due to copyright responsibilities, we are unable to provide pdf versions of our study guides. To purchase an eBbook, visit our website.

16. Separate memo booklets

Some of our hard copy titles have separate booklets that contain the memo’s.
With our eBooks, these memo booklets have been included with the actual book, and appear at the end of the eBook.