Cambridge A Level Information Technology (from 2017) 9626 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. [Turn over * 7 8 4 9 0 9 0 0 9 9 * Cambridge International AS & A Level DC (DE/CT) 337613/2 © UCLES 2024 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12 Paper 1 Theory October/November 2024 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 70. ● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. ,










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2 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 1 A company uses the following hierarchical staffing structure. Managing Director Director Department A Workers Workers Department B Department C Workers Workers Department D Director The company stores all its staff records in a hierarchical database. (a) Explain what is meant by a hierarchical database management system. … … … … … … … … [3] (b) Describe how the company’s hierarchical database would be used to store all the staff records. … … … … … … … … [3] * 0000800000002 * ,










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3 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over 2 The quality of information can affect the usefulness of decisions made by businesses. Describe how the following factors can affect the quality of information and the quality of the decisions made. (a) age of information … … … … … … [2] (b) relevance of information … … … … … … … … [3] * 0000800000003 * ,










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4 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 3 Control technologies can be used in traffic management systems. Evaluate the use of control technologies in traffic management systems. You must identify specific control technologies and evaluate their use in towns and on motorways. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [8] * 0000800000004 * ,










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5 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over 4 Draw a program flowchart to represent this algorithm: • Input an integer value. • Repeat this until you have entered 20 values. • At the end, output the largest value and the average of the values. [7] * 0000800000005 * ,










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6 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 5 Explain the reasons why there is a digital divide between people with high levels of education and people with lower levels of education. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] * 0000800000006 * ,










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7 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over 6 Describe the reasons why computer models are used. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] * 0000800000007 * ,










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8 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 7 Explain why personal information should be kept confidential. Your answer must include examples of how personal information can be used if it is not kept confidential. … … … … … … … … … … [4] 8 A furniture company uses databases in its warehouse to help with stock control. (a) The company has a Product database which contains the fields shown in the table. Field Name Data Type Example of Data Number_in_Stock 199 (Number_in_Stock can vary between a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 250.) Location 07.44.03 Reorder_Level 250 Price $203.50 Supplier_Telephone_No. 07700900819 Complete the Data Type column in the table by writing the most appropriate data type for each field. For any numeric fields, specify the numeric data type. [5] * 0000800000008 * ,










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9 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over (b) State and describe appropriate validation checks that could be carried out on data as it is entered into the Product database. You can describe different validation checks for the same field. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] (c) As well as the Product database, the company has a Customer database. Describe how the two databases can be combined into one relational database. … … … … … … … … … … … … [5] * 0000800000009 * ,










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10 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 9 A reporter will use telephone interviews to gather information for an article. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using telephone interviews. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [8] * 0000800000010 * ,










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11 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 10 Scientists are using an expert system to help them identify species of animals. Describe four benefits to the scientists of using an expert system for this purpose. 1 … … … 2 … … … 3 … … … 4 … … … [4] * 0000800000011 * ,









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12 9626/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 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 Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge. BLANK PAGE * 0000800000012 * ,









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This document consists of 9 printed pages. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12 Paper 1 Theory October/November 2024 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 70 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 October/November 2024 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 October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 2 of 9 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 descriptions 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 October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 3 of 9 Question Answer Marks 1(a) THREE from: • Structure defines levels of access to records/data (1) • Uses one-to-many relationships (1) • Uses a structure (1) • Links are based on dependencies (1) • Links a number of records to one owner/parent (1) • The system is inflexible (1) • It is limited by using only one type of relationship (1st) so is confined to some very specific uses. (1) 3 1(b) THREE from: • Records would be stored in a fixed/structured format (1st) that allows different levels of access (1) Up to TWO marks for examples (must be specific examples from the example) e.g. • The managing director can see/access all records/departments (1) • One director can ONLY see/access Department A and Department B (1) Up to THREE marks: • The managing director can only be a parent record (1) • A worker can be a child record (1) • A director/department can be both a parent and a child record (1) 3 Question Answer Marks 2(a) ONE from: • New information is of a higher quality (accept converse argument) (any awareness shown) (1) ONE from: • Up-to date information leads to better decisions (1) • Out of date information leads to poor decisions (1) • Any relevant example used to exemplify out of date information. (1) 2 2(b) THREE from: Max TWO from: • Information needs to be relevant to the reason why/purpose it has been collected//must meet user needs (1) • Relevant information is good (1) • Irrelevant information is not useful (1) Max TWO from: • Irrelevant information leads to poor decisions/Relevant information leads to good decisions (1) • Wastes time as has to be sifted (1) • Irrelevant information can distract from the correct analysis (1) • Any relevant example used to exemplify irrelevance. (1) 3

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 4 of 9 Question Answer Marks 3 EIGHT marks available: Identification of control technology (1st mark) (Max FOUR) e.g. • (Smart) traffic lights (1st) • Smart/reactive motorways (1st) • Pedestrian/user controlled lights (1st) • Pollution speed limits (1st) • Lane speed/closure displays/reactions (1st) Evaluation of (2nd mark) (Max SIX) e.g. (Smart) traffic lights • Fewer traffic jams (than preset controlled) (1) • Reduces waiting time (1) • Reduces accidents (1) • Drivers more likely to respect the lights (1) • Cost advantage/disadvantage (1) • Dependant on camera (1st) To track traffic (1) That may not be working (1) • Requires maintenance/recalibration (1) • Requires power//will not work if there is a power outage (1) Pedestrian controlled lights e.g. • Traffic flow only interrupted when a pedestrian requests to cross (1) • Smoother traffic flow (1) • Reduces accidents (1) • Fake pushes still stop traffic/no guarantee that anyone actually wants to cross the road (1) Conclusion • Overall, conclusive/evaluative statement about control technologies (1) 8

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 5 of 9 Question Answer Marks 4 Example solution: SEVEN marks available: 1 Start and End (accept STOP) terminators (1) 2 TWO Correctly drawn decision boxes with YES/NO decisions (1) 3 All YES/NO decisions (used) go to correct outcomes (i.e. all logic is correct) (1) 4 Input box and output box are both parallelograms (1) 5 Process box(es) are rectangles (1) 6 Two variables (e.g. MAX, COUNT, TOTAL, NUM) initialised/set to zero before loop (1) 7 Input value from user (attempt at) (1) 8 Total set to first input value (1) 9 Inputs limited to 20 values (attempt at use of logic to find) (1) 10 Sum all values input (1) 11 Set new MAX when input value > MAX in loop 12 Increment COUNT (1) 13 Correctly calculate average (must include process/calculation) (1) 14 Output MAX and average (1) (This may happen anywhere, but if in loop, must be after any new number is added). 7

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 6 of 9 Question Answer Marks 5 SIX from: • Highly educated people are often employed in jobs that offer exposure to IT (1) • Highly educated people will often undertake IT training as part of their education//have IT skills as a result of their education (1) • Highly educated people are often aware of IT/importance of IT/benefits of IT/possibilities of IT (1) • Highly educated people have more access to the higher paid jobs (1st) therefore can afford/access the (e.g.) higher speed internet/most up to date IT equipment (1) (accept converse argument) • People with lower levels of education often work longer hours, therefore have less time to access IT (1) • Lower educated people are less like to invest in IT (1) 6 Question Answer Marks 6 SIX marks available e.g. • Computer is used to create the rules behind a simulation (1st) so that the simulation matches the real world (1) • Easier to try out a range of different scenarios//allows what-if analysis (1) • It is less costly than if a mistake is made in real life/it is costly to remedy mistakes (1) • More difficult to construct several designs in real life (1) • Can be used to check on/make predictions for complicated scenarios//scenarios with a lot of variables (1) • Can observe aspects that would be difficult to observe in real life (1) • Can save time (1st) more tests can be done in a shorter amount of time (1) a much greater number of tests can be performed (1) • Simulation modelling can be used to plan for infrequent/one off events (1) • Computer models are much safer than experimenting in real life (1) • Faster, can speed up variables that would impact on results e.g. climate change (1) 6

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 7 of 9 Question Answer Marks 7 FOUR marks available: • Definition of personal information. – Personal information is any item of information that can make the process of identifying you easier. (1) • General statement about access to personal information being used for an illicit purpose (e.g., “it can cause identity theft/theft from bank/blackmail”) (1) • General statement about legal requirement for personal information to be kept confidential (1) ONE mark per identified negative impact from an identified breach of confidentiality e.g. • Identity theft because of leak of (e.g.) home address and name (1) • Unauthorised withdrawals/transfers after leak of (e.g.,) bank account number and PIN (1) • Future/current job affected because shared (e.g.) political affiliation (1) 4 Question Answer Marks 8(a) Field Name Data Type Example of Data Number_in_Stock Integer (1) 199 Location String/alphanumeric/text (1) 07.44.03 Reorder_Level Integer (1) 250 Price Currency (1) $203.50 Supplier_Telephone_No. String/alphanumeric/text(1) 07700900819 5

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 8 of 9 Question Answer Marks 8(b) SIX from: Three matched pairs: • Number_in_Stock – Type check (1st) must be numeric (1) • Number_in_Stock – Range check (1st) between 0 and 250 (1) • Price – Limit check (1st) must be more than zero (1) • Price – Type check (1st) must be numeric/currency (1) • Location – Format check (1st) Must be three pairs of digits separated by a full stop/NN.NN.NN (1) • Location – Length check (1st) must be 8 characters (1) • Reorder_Level – Type check (1st) must be numeric (1) • Supplier_Telephone_No – Length check (1st) must be 11 characters/digits (1). 6 8(c) FIVE from: • Any awareness of normalising data (1) • Import the (two) tables into the relational database structure (1st) as separate tables (1) • Create/use a linking table (1) • Create/use/it needs Primary Keys for both/all tables (1) • Create/use/it needs Foreign Keys. (1st) These are needed to act as the link field between the tables (only award if BOTH of the previous two answers has been given) (1) • In the linking table (1) • Link the Primary Key(s) to the Foreign Key(s) (1) • Any awareness of one-to-many relationships (1) 5

9626/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 9 of 9 Question Answer Marks 9 EIGHT from: • This method gathers direct data, which is more up to date (1) Benefits max 6: • There is no significant time delay between question and answer (1) • Reporter can more easily ask extension questions based on answers (1st) that can add to the verbal answer from the interviewee (1) • People from (e.g.) all over the country (any awareness of wide location between two parties) can be interviewed (1) • Enables interviewers/reporters to contact people in restricted/remote areas (1) • No need to travel/no travel costs for reporter (1) • No time wasted/used by reporter in travelling to interview (1) • Interview can easily be recorded for later transcription/reference (1) Drawbacks max 6: • The reduction of social cues/cannot see interviewee (1st) so e.g. body language/eye contact cannot be used as a source of extra information (1) • The interviewer/reporter has no knowledge of the situation in which the interviewee is situated (1st) so less able to create a good interview ambience (1) • Telephone line/mobile signal quality can affect responses/interview (1) • Easier for interviewee to find excuse/make up excuse/find reasons to terminate the interview (1) • Can only interview one person at a time (1) • Interviewee may not pick up the phone (1) • Sample is restricted to those people who have a telephone (1) • No way to visually verify who you are interviewing (1) 8 Question Answer Marks 10 FOUR from: • Contains the knowledge of many experts/zoologists/scientists (1) • Produce results quicker//reduces time taken to produce results (1) • No need to carry/have access to paper records/ information/ reference books/remember a great deal of information (1) • Outcome is consistent (1) • Fewer errors in identification of animal species (1) • Can enhance scientist’s/zoologist’s own knowledge (1) • Provide permanent record of identification of animal (1) • No need to check with other experts/zoologists/scientists if in doubt over findings. (1) • Expert systems provide justifications/explanations for decisions (1) 4