Cambridge A Level Information Technology (from 2017) 9626 — 2025 May/June Paper 3 · Variant 1

1 A new database has been developed to manage the stock in a warehouse. The new database is to be tested. (a) Explain the purpose of a test plan for this database. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (b) Describe the types of test data that could be used to test the database. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1(a) TWO from: 2 • to know what is to be tested • act as a guide/set of instructions for testing • to ensure that the new system has been developed to the specifications • works exactly how the client / analysts / designers / stakeholders / warehouse expected • tests that it deals with normal / abnormal / extreme data 1(b) FOUR from: 4 • Manually generated data by testers to check specific files / rules / messages • Computer-generated data sets that represent ‘live’ data / expected amount / type of real data • Normal / valid data that is accepted / processed by the database without error • Extreme data to ensure it is processed normally • Abnormal / invalid data that should be / is rejected by the database / causes error • Blank / no data to ensure appropriate error messages are generated

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2 A new software gaming app is to be developed for smartphones. Analyse the use of the waterfall method to develop the new app. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [6]

Mark scheme: 2 Command word: Analyse - examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them. 6 ONE from: • (A method of software development that) consists of a series of successive stages/stages that follow on from one another • SIX from: e.g.: • consists of a series of stages that follow on from each other • stages include analysis, design, writing specifications, coding/development, testing, reviews, deployment, maintenance (1 mark for minimum of 3, 2 marks if 5 or more named) • most problems / issues detected / noted / discovered in the early stages / in analysis / design / specification stages • Problems highlighted noted before development begins • Development is ordered / controlled / structured to minimise / stop changes / alterations after design stage … • Feature creep is minimised / does not occur • Milestones can be clearly defined (1st) allows precise monitoring of progress (1) • Clients may not fully understand / now what they require at the beginning of the development • Difficult / costly to change / alter / amend / add to app specification during development

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3 Five laptops are physically connected to the same local area network (LAN). The network interface card (NIC) of each laptop has a media access control (MAC) address and an internet protocol (IP) address. (a) Describe the purpose of the MAC address. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4] (b) The table shows the internet protocol (IP) address of each laptop. Laptop Internet protocol (IP) address A 192.168.1.102 B 192.168.1.124 C 192.168.2.102 D 192.168.1.133 E 192.168.1.123 Explain why laptop C may be unable to communicate directly with the other four laptops. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2]

Mark scheme: 3(a) FOUR from: 4 • (Uniquely) identifies the NIC (in a network) • Used in Ethernet frames (when sending packets) • Used as address when sending / receiving packets • Used by DHCP servers when assigning IP addresses • Used by switches to direct packets around networks • Stored in table in switches for traffic management • Identifies the manufacturer of the NIC 3(b) TWO from: 2 • There are two logical networks 192.168.1.x and 192.168.2.x/network 1 and network 2/valid reference to the two network addresses • Laptop C is on a different logical network (than the others) • The laptops are on different subnets • Packets from laptop C are undetectable / unreceivable by laptops A/B/D/E/other 4 // laptop C packets cannot be detected/received by the other laptops

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4 Arithmetic on numbers in JavaScript is carried out by using operators. Addition and subtraction are carried out by the + and – operators. (a) Describe the use of each of these arithmetic operators. (i) ++ ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) ** ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [2] (b) Describe the use of two other arithmetic operators in JavaScript. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4]

Mark scheme: 4(a)(i) ONE from: 1 • Increments / adds 1 to a number 4(a)(ii) ONE from: 2 • raises to the power/exponential / exponentiation • first number (in variable) / operand (raised) to that of second number / operand 4(b) FOUR from: 4 TWO arithmetic operators from: • * / star symbol (1) • multiplication/multiplies numbers together (1) • / / forward slash symbol (1) • division/divides one number into another (1) • % / percentage symbol (1) • modulus (remainder) (1) • - - / double minus symbols (1) • decrement/removes 1 from a number (1)

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5 Every second of a typical computer animation has 24 frames. The diagram shows one second of an animation in which the animator has drawn the movement of a bouncing ball. The animator has drawn the ball ‘on threes’. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (a) Explain why the animator has drawn ‘on threes’. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [3] (b) Explain why most animations are drawn ‘on twos’. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2]

Mark scheme: 5(a) THREE from: 3 • ball appears to move slower (compared to on (1s/2s) • less time taken / to draw / create a second of animation • needs to draw 8 frames instead of 24 / fewer frames • can lower the frame rate for the sequence without affecting rest of animation • animation appears jerky / choppy/lively • suitable for action / anime 5(b) TWO from: 2 • creates smooth movement of objects • less frames need to be drawn • takes less time than on 1s

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6 The internet and transport layers are included in the TCP/IP suite of network protocols. (a) Describe the function of the internet layer. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4] (b) Identify one network protocol that works at the internet layer. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (c) The internet layer passes packets to the transport layer. Identify one network protocol that works at the transport layer. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1]

Mark scheme: 6(a) FOUR from: 4 • provides for / set out rules (only) for the addressing of data packets / sending packets from device to another (1st) does not specify type of connection/delivery/error checking / notifications of delivery (1) • adds source/destination address to packets (from transport layer) • protocols at this layer change addresses / add additional addresses when packet is routed from one network to another / across networks • checks address of arriving packet to see if it’s at correct IP address (1st) if not discards packet (1) 6(b) ONE from: 1 • IP / IPv4 / IPv6 / internet protocol // (protocol) for setting/providing addresses of devices/network • IPsec // (protocol) for encrypting/authenticating packets/VPN • ICMP (internet control message protocol) // (protocol) used by routers to send information to other routers • ECN (explicit congestion notification) // (protocol) used by routers to handle/deal with network congestion • IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) // (protocol) used to send directly to devices that have requested data packets 6(c) ONE from: 1 • Transmission control protocol (TCP) // (protocol to) establish / create connection / connection-oriented data links between client / server / Provide for reliable / error-checked / retransmission of missing packets • User datagram protocol (UDP) // (protocol to provide) connectionless links / no error checking necessary / used for DNS / DHCP / routing protocols

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7 Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using data mining in businesses. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [8]

Mark scheme: 7 Command word: Discuss – write about issues(s) or topic(s) in a structured way. 8 EIGHT from: Max TWO marks: • data mining (is a set of techniques and tools) used to from work on / analyse large data sets • to Max extract relevant information • to discover trends / patterns / to find relationships Content areas could include: Max SIX from: Benefits: e.g.: • used to predict marketing trends • used to improve sales / profits (1st) by targeting customers / demographics (1) • used to adjust business operations • used to alter / amend business process to ensure greater productivity / efficiency • (usually) extracts reliable information • provides a sound basis for decision-making Max SIX from: Drawbacks: e.g.: • extracted information may not be accurate (1st) depends on source of data set (1) • complex tools required • need skilled operators • large databases needed • requires large storage spaces (1st) • expensive to purchase (1) • must ensure privacy of individuals / conform to data protection regulations • time-consuming / expensive to anonymise data sets

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8 A shopper is using the internet to look at the website of an online store. A web browser is used to fetch and display web pages from the store’s web servers. Explain how the web server provides the web browser with the content of the store’s web pages. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [6]

Mark scheme: 8 SIX from: 6 • Content is stored on server as resources / files / scripts / text / images / video / audio files / animations / database / links to other websites • Each resource has / is found by a unique identifier / unique resource identifier / URI • Web browser makes request (for connection / content) to web server • Connection created (between web browser and server) / client-server connection is set up • using HTTPS • Uses TLS to add encryption • Web server sends back a response • Response contains information about the resource • Response contains any error messages • Response contains the requested resource • Repeated exchanges with request / response method of communication (1st) until all (requested / required) content has been sent to web browser (1) • Connection closed (by server or browser) when all content transferred

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9 (a) Describe what is meant by the Internet of Things (IoT). ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (b) Describe how the IoT can be used in healthcare. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4]

Mark scheme: 9(a) TWO from: 2 • Connection (of devices) with / to each other over internet / network • Devices are uniquely / individually addressable / identified on the network • Devices with processors and software • (May) contain / have sensors • Have input / output 9(b) FOUR from: 4 e.g.: • Remote monitoring of patients (RPM) / senior citizens / chronic illness (e.g. hypertension / diabetes) for capturing patient data • Sending patient data automatically to systems for analysis • Connecting wearable computing devices (e.g. smart watch, heart monitor, BP monitor) for monitoring of health / activities • Emergency notifications systems / alerting people / groups of people to an emergency situation • Connecting point-of-care / bedside / near patient testing health devices for diagnosis • Telecare systems to avoid / replace in-person consultations • Ensure patient complies with healthcare regime / takes correct medicines on time

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10 Blockchain technology is used in financial transactions and for smart contracts. (a) Blockchain technology requires a great deal of computing power and is expensive. Describe one other drawback of blockchain technology. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (b) Describe how a smart contract works. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4]

Mark scheme: 10(a) TWO from: 2 • The time taken to carry out / approve transactions can be very long (1st) because all nodes / peers have to be updated / approve the transactions (1) • Large numbers of nodes / peers can add to network congestion (1st) which can slow the process (1) • Different versions of blockchains are not interchangeable / cannot be exchanged for each other (1st) so must use the same blockchain technology (1) 10(b) FOUR from: 4 • Parties (to the contract) agree on conditions of contract to be met / code to be used / deal to be struck / valid example of deal (e.g. sell painting for an amount of money) • Code / program / application representing the contract stored in a blockchain • (Code) runs / is executed only when predetermined conditions are met / only when all parties agree / have authorised its completion • Uses if / when …- type statements to test conditions // checks conditions have been met • Uses then …- type statements to execute code // if conditions met code is executed • Blockchain is updated when transaction is complete / conditions are met and authorised by all parties

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11 Technology-enhanced learning can be delivered using video-conferencing. Evaluate the use of video-conferencing in education. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... [8]

Mark scheme: 11 Command word: Evaluate: judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something. 8 EIGHT from: • Valid definition / description of video-conferencing in education Pros: e.g.: • Gives students remote access to experiences / demonstrations / learning materials / experts / teachers / discussions • (with the remote access) students have access that they might not have otherwise had • Educators / students do not have to physically be present in same location / travel to classes • Saves time of travel / saves costs of travel • Allows those unable to physically attend / travel to take part (1st) ▪ valid reason for not attending (1) • Classes from different schools / colleges / areas / regions / countries can be combined (1st) ▪ reduces employment / resources costs to individual schools / colleges (1) ▪ allows resources to used more effectively (1) • Can record session for later use Cons: e.g.: • Costs of the (additional) hardware / software can be high / prohibitive (1st) ▪ not all students / schools / colleges can afford them (1) ▪ so cannot take part in the sessions (1) • Technical problems / latency of the audio / lack of synchronisation with the video • Interruptions due to power outages / equipment malfunctions • Dropped internet connections (1st) ▪ can make a video-conferencing session unworkable (1) • Lack of a physical presence by the teacher • Cameras lack complete coverage of the classrooms / do not cover all students • Some students can be distracted / avoid taking part in the lesson • Monitoring of individual student’s progress during the lesson is more difficult • Encouragement of all students is more difficult • Student progress may not be as good as in real / face to face classes Conclusion: • One mark for a reasoned conclusion

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