Cambridge A Level Information Technology (from 2017) 9626 — 2021 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2

This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. Cambridge International AS & A Level DC (PQ/CGW) 200797/3 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over * 7 7 7 7 6 9 7 3 2 5 * INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12 Paper 1 Theory May/June 2021 1 hour 45 minutes You must answer on the question paper. No additional materials are needed. INSTRUCTIONS ● Answer all questions. ● Use a black or dark blue pen. ● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. ● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. ● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid. ● Do not write on any bar codes. ● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. ● Calculators must not be used in this paper. INFORMATION ● The total mark for this paper is 90. ● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

2 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 1 (a) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of a length check when validating data. ✓ It returns an error message if a data item is not in a lookup list. It checks to make sure a data item is within an upper limit and a lower limit. It checks that a data item consists of a set number of characters, not more or less. It is only used to check numbers. [1] (b) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of a check digit when validating data. ✓ It is used to check that the data in two fields correspond. It checks the number of digits. It is the digit added to the end of a long number after a calculation has been performed. It checks that a number is above a certain limit. [1]

3 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over (c) The table shows data relating to a company’s products. The data can only take the values shown. Product number Weight (kg) 8.2 9.0 9.8 8.6 9.0 8.2 9.8 2020 2019 2020 2019 2018 2020 2016 QY648 EA721 HH419 CG297 HE456 GC684 KZ638 Year patented A B Analyse the effectiveness of the use of type checks and format checks to validate this set of data. Do not refer to length checks or check digits in your answer. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [8]

4 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 2 Sensors are used in both monitoring and control applications. (a) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of technology to monitor weather conditions. ✓ Readings from sensors are not processed before being output. A sound sensor is the sensor most frequently used in a weather station. Rainfall is measured using a computerised measuring stick. Graphs can be produced automatically from a weather monitoring system. [1] (b) Tick the most accurate statement referring to the use of technology when used in systems which control traffic lights. ✓ An actuator is the most important input device in such a system. The timing sequence of the traffic lights is randomly generated. An induction loop is used to detect the presence of an automobile. Traffic light systems use moisture sensors to detect the presence of pedestrians. [1]

5 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over (c) Describe the inputs, processing and outputs involved in the cooking of a meal using a microprocessor-controlled oven. Include the devices required in your answer. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]

6 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 3 A manager wants to code the data about clothes sold in a shop, ready for storing in a database. The table shows the manager’s first attempt. Category Data Colour Light green (G), Black (B), Dark green (G), Red (R) Type of clothing Shirt (S), Skirt (S), Trousers (T), Pullover (P) Size (ins) 25 – 30 (S), 31 – 36 (L), 37 – 42 (XL), 43 – 48 (XXL) Brand Astio (A), Dasiap (D), Utap (U), Gumho (G) (a) Give three different reasons why the manager wants the data coded. 1 … … 2 … … 3 … … [3] (b) Give three different drawbacks of coding the data as shown in the table. 1 … … 2 … … 3 … … [3] (c) Describe two different improvements which could be made to this coding system. 1 … … 2 … … [2]

7 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over 4 Define the following types of malware, including a description of what each type does. (a) Worm … … … … … … … … [3] (b) Spyware … … … … … … … … [3]

8 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 5 Analyse the effectiveness of using a line graph, compared to a vertical bar chart, for showing shopping trends, using the following data. 2020 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sales ($) 1050 1120 1180 1150 1140 1160 1170 1190 1180 1200 1190 1220 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]

9 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over 6 Narinder works as a computer operator for a company which has its own LAN. (a) Describe the characteristics of a LAN, including the technologies used. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]

10 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 (b) The company Narinder works for is in Ghana. Her parents live in Tanzania, a long way from Ghana. She writes a blog and uses instant messaging to stay in touch with her parents. Describe four other methods by which Narinder could use the internet to communicate with her parents, giving a different drawback of each method. Method 1 … … Drawback … … Method 2 … … Drawback … … Method 3 … … Drawback … … Method 4 … … Drawback … … [8]

11 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over 7 Rajvinder is the regional manager of a team of travelling salespeople. Every month he organises a web-conference for his team. The necessary equipment and software have already been purchased and tested. Describe how Rajvinder would set up this web-conference and how his team would join the conference. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [8]

12 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 8 A common feature of many database systems is the use of switchboards. Evaluate, by weighing up the advantages and disadvantages, the use of switchboards in such systems. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]

13 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over BLANK PAGE

14 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 9 GoodHope Ltd uses computers to process its payroll. The company pays its workers weekly, which involves the updating of a master file. Part of a transaction file is shown. It contains workers’ ID numbers and the hours worked by those workers in a particular week. Part of the master file used by the company is shown. It contains the workers’ ID numbers and the hourly rate at which they are paid in $. Transaction file Master file ID_number Hours_worked ID_number Hourly_rate 25306 35 13487 26 25376 40 25306 25 25891 37 25376 25 27813 40 25891 24 28197 35 26145 25 32678 40 27813 22 33429 37 28197 23 36802 38 31026 22 38439 38 32678 26 39286 40 33429 22 36802 21 38439 25 39286 24 39875 25 (a) The transaction file has been sorted so that the updating can begin. Describe what other process must happen before updating can begin. … … [1]

15 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over (b) Describe the steps involved in updating the master file in this payroll system. You must use examples from the files shown. You may assume that the only transaction being carried out is the calculation of the weekly pay using the formula: Hourly rate × Hours worked … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [8]

16 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 10 Many nuclear reactions are simulated rather than being carried out in real life. (a) Describe three advantages of using a computer-based model to run a simulation for these reactions. … … … … … … … … [3] (b) Describe two disadvantages of using a computer-based model to run a simulation for these reactions. … … … … … … [2]

17 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 [Turn over BLANK PAGE

18 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 11 The spreadsheet below shows information about sweets that a shop sells. The data has been formatted but the spreadsheet needs some improvements. Nutty elete Item Y X $1.10 $0.95 $1.05 $0.80 $1.30 $1.10 $1.30 $0.90 $0.20 $0.15 $0.25 $0.10 193 194 171 181 Cost pSelling Profit Amount sold A B C D E F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (a) Describe, in detail, what would happen within the spreadsheet if the mouse was double- clicked with the pointer positioned at X. … … … [1] (b) Describe, in detail, what would happen within the spreadsheet if the mouse was double- clicked with the pointer positioned at Y. … … … [1] (c) Originally, the data was entered into the cells in the range B2 : C5 as numbers. Describe the formatting that has been applied to the cells in this range. … … … [1]

19 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 (d) Validation is to be applied to cells B2 to B5. This will prevent numbers less than the current minimum value from being entered. The shop owner will not use a range check or a lookup check. Name and describe the validation check that will be used. … … … … … … [2] Please turn over for Question 12. [Turn over

20 9626/12/M/J/21 © UCLES 2021 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. 12 Joanne has created a spreadsheet using proprietary software. Paula has suggested that she should save it in an open-source file format. (a) Describe three distinct features of proprietary software. … … … … … … … … [3] (b) Describe two distinct features of an open-source file format. … … … … … … [2]

This document consists of 11 printed pages. © UCLES 2021 [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12 Paper 1 Theory May/June 2021 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 2021 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 2 of 11 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.

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 3 of 11 Question Answer Marks 1(a) It returns an error message if a data item is not in a lookup list. It checks to make sure a data item is within an upper limit and a lower limit. It checks that a data item consists of a set number of characters, not more or less.  It is only used to check numbers. 1 1(b) It is used to check that the data in two fields correspond. It checks the number of digits. It is the digit added to the end of a long number after a calculation has been performed.  It checks that a number is above a certain limit. 1 1(c) Eight from: Examples: A type check checks that all data items are of the same type of character… …either letters or numbers A type check on the Weight could be carried out as the data must be numeric A type check on the Year patented could be carried out as the data must be numeric… …there are no letters in the Weight/Year patented fields A type check would not prevent numbers out of range/incorrect numbers being entered for Weight… A type check would not prevent numbers out of range/incorrect numbers being entered for Year patented… A format check checks that a string follows a certain pattern… …such as dd/mm/yyyy for somebody’s date of birth A format check could be carried out on the Product number as it must be two letters followed by three numbers A format check would not pick up a non-existent/incorrect Product number …as long as it was two letters followed by a three numbers… A format check could possibly be carried out on Weight as it has to be a digit followed by one single decimal number A format check could possibly be carried out on Year patented as it has to be four digits… …but it would still accept an out of range/incorrect year… Must be a proper analysis to gain full marks Max. six marks if bullets/list of points Must have expansions to be a proper analysis 8

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 4 of 11 Question Answer Marks 2(a) Readings from sensors are not processed before being output. A sound sensor is the sensor most frequently used in a weather station. Rainfall is measured using a computerised measuring stick. Graphs can be produced automatically from a weather monitoring system.  1 2(b) An actuator is the most important input device in such a system. The timing sequence of the traffic lights is randomly generated. An induction loop is used to detect the presence of an automobile.  Traffic light systems use moisture sensors to detect the presence of pedestrians. 1

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 5 of 11 Question Answer Marks 2(c) Six from: The start time of the cooking is set using buttons/switches/remote control The required temperature is set using buttons/switches/remote control The length of cooking time/end time is set using buttons/switches/remote control The start time/cooking time/end time/temperature are stored as preset values The microprocessor continuously checks the start time against its internal clock/timer If the start time is equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor sends a message to an actuator… …The actuator switches on the heater (and fan) If the start time is not equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor takes no action The temperature sensor reads the temperature inside/of oven… … ADC converts analogue data from sensor to digital data… …and sends/inputs temperature of oven to microprocessor The microprocessor continuously compares the temperature of the oven against the required temperature/preset value If the temperature of the oven is equal to/greater than the required temperature, the microprocessor sends a message to an actuator… … the actuator switches off the heater (and fan) If the temperature of the oven is not greater than the required temperature and the heater (and fan) is/are off, the microprocessor sends a message to an actuator… …the actuator switches on the heater (and fan) The end time can be calculated by adding the length of the cooking time to the start time The microprocessor continuously checks the end time against its internal clock/timer If the end time is equal to the internal clock time, the microprocessor sends a message to an actuator… …The actuator switches off the heater (and fan) The time/temperature output goes to the (LED) display 6 Question Answer Marks 3(a) Three from: It is quicker to type/input coded data (e.g. G) than it is to type uncoded data (e.g. Light green) Codes such as S require less storage space than shirt Fewer mistakes will be made when entering data such as S instead of 25–30 When data has been coded it makes it easier to use validation such as for A or D or U or G than typing in Astio or Dasiap or Utap or Gumho 3

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 6 of 11 Question Answer Marks 3(b) Three from: Light and dark green are both coded as G, so it is difficult to know which shade of green is being referred to Shirt and skirt are both coded as S, so it is difficult to know which type of garment is being referred to Coding can obscure the meaning of the data, e.g. S in size is difficult to judge waist size/range is quite large There may be other brands beginning with A, D, etc. so it may be difficult to convert the coded data back into uncoded data The size codes use different lengths of code, e.g. S is 1 character, but XXL is 3 characters 3 3(c) Two from: Use the second letter in addition to the first to code the Colour/Type of clothing/Brand, e.g. SH – Shirt, SK – Skirt Use narrower ranges for size, e.g. 25–27, 28–30 Use the bottom end of the range for size so only 2 characters are used 2 Question Answer Marks 4(a) Three max from: A malicious program that replicates itself… …until it fills all of the storage space on a drive or network Exploits security holes in networks Usually a small self-contained program that invades computers on a network A worm locates a computer’s vulnerability and spreads within its connected network Worms often originate from e-mail attachments that appear to be from trusted senders Worms then spread to a user’s contacts via their e-mail account and address book. Worms can slow down a network… …by consuming bandwidth 3 4(b) Three from: Programs that secretly record what a user does on their computer Spyware is software that is installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge Often the first indication is a noticeable reduction in processor speeds Can gather information like Web browsing habits Can capture e-mail messages Can capture a user’s personal data… …such as usernames and passwords as well as credit card information Transmits this data to a third party over the internet 3

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 7 of 11 Question Answer Marks 5 Six from: Max 4 from: Bar charts show data with blocks of different heights… …with the height of the block corresponding to the quantity being represented Sales($) values would be the height of the block… …and the Months of the year would be the labels along the x axis in a bar chart Line graphs show a series of points connected by straight lines… …with the horizontal axis normally representing time In a line graph the Sales ($) would be the y axis… …The Months of the year would be along the x axis of a line graph Max 6 from: Bar charts are used for comparisons of categories of data Bar charts are better for comparing the sales of different months… …but not the trend Line graphs are better for showing trends over time… …it’s easier to see small changes on line graphs than bar charts… …although bar charts can be used to show trends… …the line in a line graph makes the overall trends very clear There would be no need to have the y axis starting at zero in this line graph… …so the trend would be more obvious A bar chart has to have the y axis starting at zero… …and so the trend for this data would be more difficult to determine Must be a proper analysis to gain full marks Max. five marks if bullets/list of points Must have expansions to be a proper analysis 6 Question Answer Marks 6(a) Six from: LAN stands for local area network LAN covers a small geographic area LAN is used within a home, office, school, or group of buildings (must have at least 2) LANs have a high data transfer rate/WANs have a lower data transfer rate compared to LANs LANs use Layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 devices One LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves A system of LANs connected in this way is called a Wide Area Network Ethernet and WiFi are the two most common technologies in use for local area networks Most LANs use a switch/hub to link the network and manage all the connected devices In businesses and schools one computer/a server may also be the central access point of a LAN 6

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 8 of 11 Question Answer Marks 6(b) Four matched pairs from: Email: electronic mail where they could write letters to each other Narinder may not be sure that her parents have received the message/it may take a long time to receive a reply/no video/audio interaction Vide-conference/call where Narinder and her parents could use laptops with cameras and microphones to speak to each other Parents receiving the call must also have video conferencing software running in order to listen/can be affected by bandwidth issues/needs a lot of planning before hand/lag due to poor internet connection VoIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol. Narinder would use a microphone connected to a computer/speak using a VoIP phone (and the software would convert it into a format that can be sent over the internet) Parents receiving the call must also have VoIP application running/installed in order to listen/can be affected by bandwidth issues Social networking sites where Narinder could post a message with pictures/video on her page/area/can update her posts Can later regret posting pictures or comments that were thought funny at the time/possible for hackers to use her photos without permission/ Parents might not be skilled social network users/ it may take a long time to receive a reply Chat rooms: Narinder could meet her parents in a chat room and chat to them by typing a message Parents might not be skilled chatters and not know how to keep conversation private/Other people apart from parents may be able to enter the room, thereby losing privacy/strangers could eavesdrop Text messaging: Narinder and her parents could send messages to each other It may take a long time to receive a reply/need to have phone switched on 8

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 9 of 11 Question Answer Marks 7 Eight from: Rajvinder sends emails to every person being invited informing/reminding them of the conference/sends reminders/sends date and time of meeting Rajvinder sends log in details to members of the sales team He uploads any necessary documents for the meeting He sends a link to the website He enters his user name and password (obtained from the provider) He selects a start time/end time/time/date In the meeting area, he types an agenda He uses the software to select participants He selects an appropriate meeting space/room He selects/types in those team members who can enter the room automatically and those who have to be invited He chooses which participants can be presenters/can modify documents He limits the participation of team members/mute volume/disables messaging/disables cameras The participants click on the link to enter the conference The participants enter the password/log in The participants wait until Rajvinder allows them to enter 8 Question Answer Marks 8 Six from: Advantages It is easier for users to navigate around the database using one… … especially for users who are not familiar with a particular database… …than if they had to select tools from an unfamiliar/complex tool bar The administrator of the database can prevent other users from accessing specific sections of a database… … to avoid them corrupting the data A click-based interface makes it easier for people to access specific datasets/reports/other forms… …all the user has to do is simply click on the buttons provided… …instead of selecting tools from an unfamiliar tool bar This is more useful when users are just going to use the database… …and not create new tables/forms/reports Disadvantages As a database becomes bigger, the design of a switchboard can become quite complex There is a limit to the number of buttons that can be placed on a switchboard/switchboards are restrictive… …so users may not be able to create new tables/forms/reports as easily as with a database not using one If more features are required, further switchboards need to be added increasing the complexity At least one of each required to obtain full marks Must be a proper evaluation to obtain full marks Max. five marks if bullets/list of points Must have expansions or comparisons to be a proper evaluation 6

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 10 of 11 Question Answer Marks 9(a) The transaction file must be validated 1 9(b) Eight from: The computer reads the first record in the transaction file belonging to 25306 The computer reads the first record in the old master file belonging to 13487 The record from the transaction file is compared to the record from the master file If the records don’t match, the computer writes the master file record to the new master file The records don’t match so the next record of the master file is read, 25306 If it matches, the transaction is carried out/weekly pay is calculated The records match so the computer calculates the hourly rate x hours worked, 25 x 35… …using the hourly rate, 25, from the master file and the hours worked, 35, from the transaction file The processed record is written to the new master file The next record, 25376, is read from the transaction file… …then compared to next master file record, 25376 This continues until the last record from the transaction file, record 39286, is read/all the transaction file records are read After processing the last record of the transaction file, 39286, all the remaining old master file records are written to the new master file… …in this case one record, 39875 8 Question Answer Marks 10(a) Three from: Testing nuclear reactions using computer models avoids safety problems such as explosions/meltdowns/environmental problems Testing nuclear reactions using computer models cuts costs as the testing company doesn’t have to pay as much money for materials Results can be obtained in a short period of time regarding reactions that take a long time in real life Re-designing computer models is cheaper than re-creating a nuclear reaction Computer model can be designed to allow for extreme conditions/natural disasters 3 10(b) Two from: Models can’t always recreate exactly the real-world experiment Not every possible variable may be included in the model, leading to inaccurate results It costs money to hire computer experts to create the models 2

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2021 © UCLES 2021 Page 11 of 11 Question Answer Marks 11(a) Column B will widen to the width necessary for the largest piece of text/number to fit within the cell. 1 11(b) The height of Row 3 will increase to the height necessary for the largest piece of text/number to fit within the cell. 1 11(c) Set to currency, 2 decimal places and symbol set to $ (must have at least 2) 1 11(d) Limit check 1 mark Checks that values in B2:B5 are greater than or equal to 0.8 2 Question Answer Marks 12(a) Three from: Proprietary software is software that is owned by an individual or a company, usually the one that developed it There are almost always major restrictions on its use A software vendor delineates the specific terms of use in an end-user license agreement Its source code is almost always kept secret Usually covered by copyright, which provides a legal basis for its owner to establish exclusive rights 3 12(b) Two from: Can be used and implemented/accessed by anyone An open-source file format can be used by both proprietary and open- source software Anyone may use them at no monetary cost for any desired purpose They can be opened by most types of software There is a published specification for storing digital data, usually maintained by a standards organisation 2