Cambridge A Level Information Technology (from 2017) 9626 — 2019 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
9626/11/M/J/19 · 90 marks · ≈101 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper16 pages
















Mark scheme10 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.










Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
This document consists of 15 printed pages and 1 blank page. DC (SC/TP) 163071/3 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over Cambridge Assessment International Education Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level * 4 6 0 4 6 9 6 6 3 6 * INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/11 Paper 1 Theory May/June 2019 1 hour 45 minutes Candidates answer on the Question Paper. No Additional Materials are required. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your centre number, candidate number and name in the spaces at the top of this page. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Answer all questions. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. Calculators must not be used on this paper. Any businesses described in this paper are entirely fictitious.
Question paper, page 2
2 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 1 The coding of data refers to using M for male and F for female, for example. Tick the four most accurate statements regarding the coding of data. ✓ Data becomes easier to interpret Coding of value judgements is always very accurate The coding of data saves storage space Codes cannot be used in a relational database It speeds up data entry All data can be coded There are fewer mistakes when entering data Codes are not too complicated so there are never any errors on data entry Validation is easier to perform on data Coded data makes the computer slower when searching for data [4] 2 The management of a hotel is introducing a computer system for producing bills for their customers. They are considering which type of printer to use. Tick the four most accurate statements regarding different types of printer, if used in the hotel reception area. ✓ Laser printers produce very high quality output A dot matrix printer would produce higher quality output than an inkjet printer An inkjet printer would be slower at producing output than a dot matrix printer Dot matrix printers use continuous stationery Dot matrix printers need the ink cartridge changing more frequently than inkjet printers Dot matrix printers are very quiet which is important in a hotel reception area A laser printer can operate in harsh conditions, unlike a dot matrix printer A laser printer toner cartridge is more expensive to buy than an inkjet cartridge Multi-part stationery is easier to use with laser printers than with dot matrix printers Inkjet printers are cheaper to buy than dot matrix printers [4]
Question paper, page 3
3 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over 3 Items of data could be the following: 45612, fred, π, £, ≥ or Explain, by describing what is meant by information, why these are just items of data. … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[6]
Question paper, page 4
4 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 4 Most schools have introduced e-safety lessons because teachers are becoming concerned about the way their students use the internet when not in school. One of their concerns is that students may be revealing personal information about themselves. Describe the problems associated with this and other problems that arise from students using the internet. … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[6]
Question paper, page 5
5 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over 5 Many companies with different branches have Local Area Networks (LANs) which connect to form a Wide Area Network (WAN). Compare and contrast the characteristics of a LAN and a WAN owned by one company. … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[6]
Question paper, page 6
6 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 6 Louis has partly typed up the notes from his IT lesson. He wants to complete these at home. Sophia, a fellow student, tells him that it may be difficult as he has been using proprietary software. Explain what is meant by proprietary and open-source file formats, giving reasons why open-source file formats are needed. … … … … … … … … … … … …[5] 7 An operating system is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources. Describe the tasks that an operating system carries out. … … … … … … … … … …[4]
Question paper, page 7
7 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over 8 There are a number of ways that fraudsters can obtain money from customers’ bank accounts. (a) Describe how the fraudster would use vishing to obtain a customer’s personal data. … … … … … … … …[3] (b) Describe how the fraudster would use smishing to obtain a customer’s personal data. … … … … … … … …[3]
Question paper, page 8
8 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 9 Paolo is the owner of a small company with ten workers. He is developing a spreadsheet to calculate the payroll. He has started by importing a text file of the workers’ names. The list consisted of each worker’s family name followed by a comma then a space then their first name. He wants to split the names into separate family names and first names by finding the position of the comma in each cell in column A. He has discovered a new function, LOCATE, which gives the position of the first occurrence of a single character in a word. For example, =LOCATE(“e”,I4) gives the result 2. His first attempt at the spreadsheet is shown below. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Position of comma Rate per hour Family name Smith, John McDonnell, Louise Hernandes, Juan Kennedy, Sean Gustaffsson, Johan Davies, Iueuan Lopez, Ramon Garcia, Isabel Costa, Albertina Fernandez, Mariela Polishing Secretary Welding Orders Fitter Electrician Manager Painting Invoices Sales A B C D E F G I J L M K Name H 450 500 450 500 500 550 500 550 450 550 15 10 10 16 20 11 25 20 15 11 Hours worked 30 50 45 31.25 25 50 20 27.5 30 50 First name Job Weekly pay (a) Using this LOCATE function, write down the formula he would use in cell C3. The formula must be easy to replicate. = …[2] You can use the space below for any working you need.
Question paper, page 9
9 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over (b) He will use a formula in cell E3 to produce Smith. Making use of cell C3, write down the formula, without using the MID function, which must be easy to replicate. There must be no spaces, before, or after the name. = …[3] You can use the space below for any working you need. (c) He will use a formula in cell F3 to produce John. Making use of cell C3, write down the formula, without using the MID function, which must be easy to replicate. There must be no spaces before, or after, the name. …[3] You can use the space below for any working you need. (d) Describe the steps he would use to format the Weekly pay column so that the only difference that would be made would be to place a $ sign in front of the value. … … … … … … … …[3]
Question paper, page 10
10 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 (e) Using only the sort feature on columns I and J, explain how you would be able to get the following values in the given cells. You need to ensure data integrity is maintained. (i) 500 in cell J6 with Secretary in cell I6 and Davies, Iueuan in A12. … … … … … … … …[3] (ii) 500 in J7 with Orders in I8 and Smith, John in A11. … … … … … … … …[3]
Question paper, page 11
11 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over 10 A car park has a barrier which operates automatically. It opens when a car approaches it and closes when the car is clear of the barrier. Describe, including the use of sensors, how a microprocessor controls this operation. … … … … … … … … … …[4]
Question paper, page 12
12 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 11 Maria, the A level students’ secretary, has been given the task of creating a database. It will store the records of each subject taught and the records of the teachers involved. She has decided to produce a relational database. The Teacher records will have the fields Teacher_ID, Family_name, First_name, Subject_ID and Number_of_classes. The Subject records will have the fields Subject_code, Subject_name, Subject_level and Number_of_lessons. (a) Complete the diagram below to show how the tables will be combined. [4] (b) Using the design of your database from part (a), describe how you would create it. … … … … … … … … … …[4]
Question paper, page 13
13 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 [Turn over 12 A government database stores the licence plates of cars. In this particular country they all follow the same pattern, e.g. BG136KG CD125FH FT342LM NQ439SR Apart from a presence check, describe two appropriate validation checks which could be applied to licence plates. For each check give an appropriate example of invalid data that would be rejected. Each example must be different. 1 … … … … … … 2 … … … … … …[4]
Question paper, page 14
14 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 13 IT professionals often use command line interfaces (CLIs) to communicate with computers. Office workers, however, prefer graphical user interfaces (GUIs). In the home, gesture based interfaces (GBIs) are increasingly being used. Evaluate these three types of interface. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[8]
Question paper, page 15
15 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 14 Many students use the internet in school to search for information to help with their classwork. Apart from e-safety, discuss the benefits and drawbacks of students using the internet for this purpose. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[8]
Question paper, page 16
16 9626/11/M/J/19 © UCLES 2019 Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge. BLANK PAGE
Mark scheme, page 1
This document consists of 10 printed pages. © UCLES 2019 [Turn over Cambridge Assessment International Education Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/11 Paper 1 Theory May/June 2019 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 90 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2019 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some Cambridge O Level components.
Mark scheme, page 2
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 2 of 10 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awarded positively: • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate • marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do • marks are not deducted for errors • marks are not deducted for omissions • answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5: Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6: Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Mark scheme, page 3
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 3 of 10 Question Answer Marks 1 Data becomes easier to interpret Coding of value judgements is always very accurate The coding of data saves storage space 3 Codes cannot be used in a relational database It speeds up data entry 3 All data can be coded There are fewer mistakes when entering data 3 Codes are not too complicated so there are never any errors on data entry Validation is easier to perform on data 3 Coded data makes the computer slower when searching for data 4 Question Answer Marks 2 Laser printers produce very high quality output 3 A dot matrix printer would produce higher quality output than an inkjet printer An inkjet printer would be slower at producing output than a dot matrix printer Dot matrix printers use continuous stationery 3 Dot matrix printers need the ink cartridge changed more frequently than inkjet printers Dot matrix printers are very quiet which is important in a hotel reception area A laser printer can operate in harsh conditions unlike a dot matrix printer A laser printer toner cartridge is more expensive to buy than an inkjet cartridge 3 Multi-part stationery is easier to use with laser printers than with dot matrix printers Inkjet printers are cheaper to buy than dot matrix printers 3 4
Mark scheme, page 4
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 4 of 10 Question Answer Marks 3 Six from: Data on its own has no meaning Only when it is interpreted does data take on meaning and become information Data consists of raw facts and figures Data has to be processed (into sets) to become information Data needs to have a context in order to become information Data can be in the form of numbers, characters, symbols, images as shown in the example (must have three) Information is what you get after a piece of data is processed and organised and is easily interpretable unlike the examples given Marks are available for explained examples of how data becomes information 6 Question Answer Marks 4 Six from: Unauthorised access to personal information The risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet The sharing / distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge Inappropriate communication / contact with others, including strangers Cyber-bullying by fellow students Other problems Access to unsuitable video / internet games An inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet Plagiarism and copyright infringement Illegal downloading of music or video files« «giving rise to the potential for excessive use which may affect the social and emotional development and learning of the student Access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content Must have at least two of each to gain full marks 6
Mark scheme, page 5
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 5 of 10 Question Answer Marks 5 Six from: Both are used to connect computers together« «providing all the advantages of a computer network Both can be connected using copper cable or fibre optic cable Both are used to share files Data transfer rates are faster within a LAN Data transmission errors are fewer within a LAN WANs cover a larger geographical area than a LAN LAN can be more secure as can be confined to one building and not connected to outside users/hackers As WANs tend to consist of more complex systems so they are less fault tolerant LAN shares the information needed by each branch whereas WAN shares the information needed by all branches Must have at least one difference and one similarity to gain full marks 6 Question Answer Marks 6 Five from: Open source formats are often called free file formats if they are not covered by any copyrights/patents Open file formats can be used by both proprietary and open source software A proprietary file format has been created by a software company using a particular encoding scheme... ...designed by the company such that the decoding of this stored data is only easily done with software that the company itself has developed The specification of the data encoding format is usually kept secret It can be published but then its use is restricted through licences such that only the company itself/ users with licences may use it Open-source file formats are needed: Because not everyone can afford proprietary software When transferring data from one area to another as the computers being used may not have compatible software Archived proprietary files may be difficult to read by new software 5
Mark scheme, page 6
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 6 of 10 Question Answer Marks 7 Four from: Allocates memory to software Sends data/instructions to printers Responds to input devices Opens and closes files on storage devices In multi-tasking/multi-programming systems allocates equitable processing time to each task/program Sends error messages to applications/users Handles user logins Handles file permissions/security settings Provides the interface between the user and the computer 4 Question Answer Marks 8(a) Three from: Fraudster phones the victim pretending it is a call from the bank Fraudster claims that there has been some fraudulent activity on the customer’s account/customer has made certain purchases – could they confirm? Often involves getting the customer to phone the bank Fraudster’s computer redirects phone call to own phone Gives customer their bank details to get their confidence Gets customer to log on to bank’s site and enter their details to transfer money to their new account which has been set up This account is actually the fraudster’s own bank account 3 8(b) Three from: Fraudster sends a cell phone text message to persuade customer to divulge their personal Information« «inviting the receiver to go to the fraudster’s website They include a telephone number in the message that connects to an automated voice response system They include in the message something that demands the target's immediate attention such as« « "We confirm that you have signed up to our service. You will be charged $2 a day unless you cancel your order on this URL” The user then goes on to a seemingly legitimate website that asks them to "confirm/enter your personal financial information” 3
Mark scheme, page 7
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 7 of 10 Question Answer Marks 9(a) =LOCATE(“,”,A3) =LOCATE(,A3) 1 mark 1 “,” 1 mark 1 9(b) =LEFT(A3,C3-1) =LEFT() 1 A3, as first item 1 C3-1 as second item 1 9(c) =RIGHT(A3,LEN(A3)-C3-1) =RIGHT(A3,«) 1 LEN(A3) 1 -C3-1) 1 9(d) Three from: Highlight J3:J12 Click on format then format cells Click on currency then select $ symbol Select 0 decimal places 3 9(e)(i) Select A3:M12« 1 «Sort in ascending order of column J« 1 «Add a level and sort in descending order of column I 1 9(e)(ii) Select A3:M12« 1 «Sort in descending order of column J« 1 «Add a level and sort in ascending order of column I 1
Mark scheme, page 8
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 8 of 10 Question Answer Marks 10 Four from: Induction loop / pressure sensor« «sends signal/data to microprocessor Analogue to digital converter changes the analogue input to digital for the microprocessor to process Microprocessor compares reading with pre-set value If pressure is greater than/if inductance is different to preset value Microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator« «which raises the barrier Light sensor detects the break in the beam of light When the beam of light resumes the microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator« «which lowers the barrier 4 Question Answer Marks 11(a) Teacher record table Subject record table ᴕ Teacher_ID Family_name First_name Subject_ID Number_of_classes 1 ∞ ᴕ Subject_code Subject_name Subject_level Number_of_lessons All Teacher records and Subject records with correctly titled tables 1 Primary key fields identified 1 Relationship line between correct two fields 1 One to many indicated 1 11(b) Four from: Teacher_ID is identified/selected as the primary key in Teacher Table and Subject_code is identified/selected as primary key in Subjects Table Click on relationships in (database) tools Click on add tables and select Teacher Table and Subjects Table Select Subject_code in Subject records table and connect it to Subject_ID in the Teacher records table Enforce referential integrity/Click on save changes 4
Mark scheme, page 9
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 9 of 10 Question Answer Marks 12 Length check to no more or no less than/exactly 7 characters are entered 1 Any suitable example of less than/greater than 7 characters 1 Format check to ensure that all licence plates are two letters followed by three digits followed by two letters 1 Any suitable example not consisting of two letters followed by three digits followed by two letters 1 Question Answer Marks 13 Eight from: Users with physical handicaps may not be able to use a keyboard or mouse For reasons of hygiene a doctor may not be allowed to touch a display or device so need to use gesture based interface Appropriate gestures is a more hygienic way to control the device Gestures may be a quicker way of initiating a response from a device Certain gestures may not be socially acceptable which is not a problem with the other interfaces Some gestures may be unintentional but still initiate a reaction from the device GUIs tend to be more accurate than relying on gestures CLI requires user to have to learn many commands unlike the others CLI commands are more difficult to edit CLI is more difficult to view different items on one screen when multitasking CLI processing speed tends to be faster than the others CLI uses less memory than the others CLI is less likely to change over time whereas GUIs tend to change regularly meaning less need to learn how to use a new system One mark is available for an appropriate opinion 8
Mark scheme, page 10
9626/11 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2019 © UCLES 2019 Page 10 of 10 Question Answer Marks 14 This question to be marked as levels of response: Level 3 (7–8 marks) Candidates will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the internet The information will be relevant, clear, organised and presented in a structured and coherent format There may be a reasoned conclusion/opinion Specialist terms will be used correctly and appropriately Level 2 (4–6 marks) Candidates will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the internet although development of some of the points will be limited to one side of the argument For the most part, the information will be relevant and presented in a structured and coherent format Specialist terms will be used appropriately and for the most part correctly Level 1 (1–3 marks) Candidates will present benefits or drawbacks of using the internet There will be little or no use of specialist terms Answers may be simplistic with little or no relevance Level 0 (0 marks) Response with no valid content. Candidates may refer to e.g. Benefits Internet tends to be up to date Internet has vast amounts of information/ wide range of information/ wide variety of sources Use of search engines makes it quicker to find information than looking in books Multimedia sources are available on the internet unlike text books Interactive sites can be found on the internet unlike text books Drawbacks Danger of accessing inappropriate websites. Can take long time to find required information Can access biased/inaccurate websites Lack of expertise leads to inefficient searching Easy to plagiarise information The internet is not regulated Internet provides a variety of answers so it is difficult to decide which answer is correct 8
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2019 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.