Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (9-1) 0983 — 2025 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2

Cambridge IGCSE™(9-1) 0983/12 May/June 2025 1 hour 30 minutes INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Paper 1 Theory 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. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 80. • The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. • No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware. This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. [Turn over 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 *0390268435* ,










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Circle two direct data entry devices. 1 mouse keyboard DVD reader 3D printer SD card RFID reader QR scanner pen drive [2] A computer system uses both applications software and system software. 2 Describe the following types of applications software. (a) Computer aided design (CAD) (i) … … … … [2] Measurement software (ii) … … … … [2] Video editing software (iii) … … … … [2] State the purpose of applications software. (b) … … [1] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 2 * 0000800000002 * ,










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The headteacher at Tawara School is planning to improve the registration system for pupils. The headteacher can choose a system that uses either ID cards with a magnetic stripe or scanners that read handprints. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using a system that will read handprints. 3 … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] A computer system needs to be tested before it can be implemented. 4 State why the following elements need to be tested. (a) File structure (i) … … [1] Validation routines (ii) … … [1] The output format (iii) … … [1] [Turn over 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 3 * 0000800000003 * ,










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Computer software can be tested using normal data, extreme data or abnormal data. Explain what is meant by abnormal test data. (b) … … [1] Following the development and testing of the new system, technical documentation is produced. Explain why technical documentation is needed. (c) … … … … [2] The file structure, validation routines and output formats are all components of technical documentation. State three other components found in technical documentation. (d) 1… 2… 3… [3] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 4 * 0000800000004 * ,










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The use of computer equipment can lead to many different safety issues. 5 For each of the following safety issues, describe three different ways of minimising the risk. Electrocution (a) 1… … 2… … 3… … [3] Trailing leads (b) 1… … 2… … 3… … [3] [Turn over 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 5 * 0000800000005 * ,










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Compare and contrast phishing and pharming. (a) 6 … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] (b) State two precautions that the user should take to protect their data from phishing attacks. (i) … … … … [2] State two precautions that the user should take to protect their data from pharming attacks. (ii) … … … … [2] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 6 * 0000800000006 * ,










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A group of people use satellite navigation systems on their smartphones when walking in remote areas of the countryside. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using satellite navigation systems in this scenario. 7 … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] [Turn over 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 7 * 0000800000007 * ,










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A bookshop is setting up a database of the books that it sells. Part of the database is shown. 8 Date_of_publication Price Type_of_book Name_of_book 23/03/2023 12.99 N Baines Brief Lives 06/03/2022 24.99 F Spice For each of the validation checks, state the most appropriate field. Your answers must be different in each case. (a) Format check (i) … [1] Range check (ii) … [1] Length check (iii) … [1] Validation and verification checks are carried out on the data. Explain why both validation and verification are needed. (b) … … … … … … … … [4] State one method of verification. (c) … … [1] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 8 * 0000800000008 * ,










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A company's computer network uses a switch. 9 Explain the purpose of a network switch. (a) … … … … … … [3] A smart TV can connect to a network using wi-fi. Describe how the smart TV can be connected to the wi-fi. (b) … … … … … … … … [4] State the type of network that the smart TV would connect to. (c) … [1] [Turn over 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 9 * 0000800000009 * ,










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A bank's website uses secure socket layer (SSL). 10 Explain what is meant by SSL. (a) … … … … … … [3] State how a user would know that SSL was being used on the website. (b) … … [1] A search engine could be used to find the bank's website. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a search engine to find the website. (c) … … … … … … … … … … [5] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 10 * 0000800000010 * ,










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A student is working on a project and needs to transfer some of her files from the college computer to her home computer. One way in which the student could transfer the files is uploading them onto the cloud. 11 State three other ways in which the student can transfer the files. (a) 1… … 2… … 3… … [3] Describe how the student could use the cloud to transfer the project. (b) … … … … … … [3] State the processing involved in withdrawing cash from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) after a customer has inserted his card into the machine. 12 … … … … … … [3] 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 11 * 0000800000011 * ,









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BLANK PAGE 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. 06_0983_12_2025_1.5 © UCLES 2025 12 * 0000800000012 * ,









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This document consists of 10 printed pages. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 [Turn over Cambridge IGCSE™ (9–1) INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 0983/12 Paper 1 Theory May/June 2025 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 80 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 2025 series for most Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level components.

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 2 of 10 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level 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.

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 3 of 10 Annotations guidance for centres Examiners use a system of annotations as a shorthand for communicating their marking decisions to one another. Examiners are trained during the standardisation process on how and when to use annotations. The purpose of annotations is to inform the standardisation and monitoring processes and guide the supervising examiners when they are checking the work of examiners within their team. The meaning of annotations and how they are used is specific to each component and is understood by all examiners who mark the component. We publish annotations in our mark schemes to help centres understand the annotations they may see on copies of scripts. Note that there may not be a direct correlation between the number of annotations on a script and the mark awarded. Similarly, the use of an annotation may not be an indication of the quality of the response. The annotations listed below were available to examiners marking this component in this series. Annotations Annotation Meaning Omission or to indicate where a company brand name has been used Incorrect Follow through Highlighter Information copied from the text Ignore subsequent work Two statements are linked Maximum number of marks that can be awarded Not answered question Off-page comment Allows comments to be entered at the bottom of the RM marking window and then displayed when the associated question item is navigated to. On-page comment Allows comments to be entered in speech bubbles on the candidate response. Principal examiner has approved the mark Repeat Indicates that work/page has been seen including blank answer spaces and blank pages. Correct

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 4 of 10 Mark scheme abbreviations / separates alternative words / phrases within a marking point // separates alternative answers within a marking point underline actual word given must be used by candidate (grammatical variants accepted) max indicates the maximum number of marks that can be awarded ( ) the word / phrase in brackets is not required, but sets the context Note: No marks are awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware. The following must be applied Examiners must ensure that annotations are placed so they can be easily seen in white space where or close to where the mark is awarded Before submitting a script please check all ticks match the marks At the end of prose answers/long answer place an annotation at the end of the answer to show that the whole answer has been read, unless a marking annotation has been placed nrea or at the end of the answer. On any blank pages place one SEEN annotation Read the whole sentence before marking it If an answer is blank then use SEEN and award NR, but if anything has been written for example ‘Don’t know’,‘?’ etc then use NAQ and award 0. If an answer has been attempted and crossed out and no other answer written then attempt to mark it.

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 5 of 10 Question Answer Marks 1 QR scanner RFID reader 2 Question Answer Marks 2(a)(i) Two from: Helps users to create 2D drawings / 3D models Helps create digital representations of objects before they are manufactured Enables the development / modification of the design process 2 2(a)(ii) Two from: Allows a computer to interact with sensors Visualises the physical quantities in the real world Help analyse data from sensors 2 2(a)(iii) Two from: Allows the user to add different features to the video Allows the video to be output in different file formats Allows video to be exported 2 2(b) One from: Provides the services that the user requires to solve a task Allows the user to perform specific tasks 1 Question Answer Marks 3 Benefits Max five from: Handprints are unique Improves security The pupil has to be present to register A handprint is impossible to lose Hard to clone / forge a handprint Fast form of data entry Prevents shoulder surfing Drawbacks Max five from: Setting up the system takes a long time Adding new handprints can take time If the scanner becomes dirty the reader may misread the data Expensive to set up If the palm of the hand is damaged / wet / dirty the reader can easily misread the data Position of the hand is critical Issues with invasion of privacy 6

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 6 of 10 Question Answer Marks 4(a)(i) One from: To ensure data integrity / application compatibility / efficient data processing To prevent data corruption / crashes 1 4(a)(ii) To ensure they trap unreasonable data 1 4(a)(iii) To ensure data can be clearly seen on the screen / printer 1 4(b) One from: Data the system will not accept Not in the correct form Outside the limits of acceptability 1 4(c) One from: To help programmers / analysts / developers One from: To make improvements / updates to the system To make repairs to the system 2 4(d) Three from: Algorithms Hardware requirements Input format Limitations of the system List of variables Program flowcharts Program language Program listing Purpose of the system / program Sample runs / test runs System flowcharts Software requirements 3 Question Answer Marks 5(a) Three from: Use Residual Circuit Breakers Regularly check insulation on wires Do not allow drinks near computer equipment Regularly check equipment Do not touch live wires with wet hands 3 5(b) Three from: Use cable ducts Place cables under carpet / in false ceiling Use cable management Use wireless technology 3

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 7 of 10 Question Answer Marks 6(a) Similarities Max five from: Both are threats to data Both use the internet Both gain access to personal data Both direct users to a fake website The URLs used on both are similar to trusted URLs In both the sending of personal information can lead to fraud / identity theft Differences Max five from: In phishing: a legitimate looking email is sent to target users the user clicks a link the email appears to come from a trusted source the email contains a link for the user to click on when the link is clicked the user is sent to a fake website the user is aware that they have clicked a link / replied to an email In pharming: A malicious code is installed onto the computer / webserver the software directs the user to a fake website the website looks legitimate is without the user’s knowledge 6 6(b)(i) Two from: Use email filters Check email addresses before opening emails Do not reply to unsecured email addresses Do not click on links within unsecured emails / untrusted websites Do not give personal information in emails / untrusted websites 2 6(b)(ii) Two from: Use up to date anti-malware to remove the malicious code Check URL addresses Do not give personal information to untrusted websites 2

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 8 of 10 Question Answer Marks 7 Benefits Max five from: The walkers do not need to carry a number of paper maps More robust as paper maps can tear easily Can give a real time update of position The system can estimate the distance / time of arrival More up to date system than paper maps Easier to find quickest / safest / best route Drawbacks Max five from: In remote areas the signal is more likely to be lost (1st) this would mean the walker could become lost (1) System needs to be kept up to date as routes change Over dependency on the technology 6 Question Answer Marks 8(a)(i) Date_of_publication 1 8(a)(ii) Price 1 8(a)(iii) Type_of_book 1 8(b) Four from: Together they help reduce the number of errors in data entry Validation will check for data being reasonable Verification will check that the data has been copied correctly the source document If used on their own there may still be errors in the data The data may be transcribed correctly but is not sensible due to errors on the source document The data may be sensible but not transcribed correctly 4 8(c) One from: Double data entry Visual verification 1

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 9 of 10 Question Answer Marks 9(a) Three from: Connects devices together to form a LAN Expands the range of a LAN Sends data packets to a specific device based on the MAC address Secures the sending of data Reduces network traffic 3 9(b) Four from: The user opens the settings menu on the TV Chooses connect to network A list of networks appear User selects a network User enters password Click on connect If not connected error message appears 4 9(c) One from: Wireless Local Area Network / WLAN Local Area Network / LAN 1 Question Answer Marks 10(a) Three from: Communication / security protocol It allows data to be sent securely over the internet Standard security technology Sets up an encrypted link between a webserver and a browser 3 10(b) One from: The website address starts with HTTPS There is an icon of a green locked padlock 1 10(c) Benefits Max four from: Fast search for the website (1st) as keywords can be searched (1) The URL need not be known Easy to find the website Drawbacks Max four from: Can lead to Information overload Can be hard to find the relevant information Can be time consuming to find the exact website (1st) if clear search information not given (1) Advertising / sponsored sites are placed at the top of the list 5

0983/12 Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 10 of 10 Question Answer Marks 11(a) Three from: As an attachment on an email Using a pen drive Using a portable / external hard disk drive Using a portable / external SSD Using a CD-RW / DVD-RW 3 11(b) Three from: Student logs onto the cloud account at college Uploads the project onto the cloud Saves the project onto the cloud At home the student logs into the cloud account Downloads the project onto her PC 3 Question Answer Marks 12 Three from: Contacts the bank’s computer Checks the PIN is correct Checks the card is not stolen / in date / valid Access customer’s account Checks daily limit not exceeded Checks enough money in the account Customers account updated 3