Question 12 marks
Question
Circle two direct data entry devices. 3D printer DVD reader keyboard mouse pen drive QR scanner RFID reader SD card [2]
Mark scheme
1 QR scanner 2 RFID reader
Information and Communication Technology 0417/12 May/June 2025: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Theory, May/June 2025. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_s25_qp_120417_s25_ms_120417/12/M/J/25
- Paper
- Paper 1 Theory
- Total marks
- 80
- Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Code on the paper
- 0417/12/M/J/25
0417/12 mark scheme, question by question
Each question as it's printed, and the mark scheme's points for it, as text. Diagrams, tables and graphs are in the PDFs above.
Question 27 marks
Question
A computer system uses both applications software and system software. (a) Describe the following types of applications software. (i) Computer aided design (CAD) …… [2] (ii) Measurement software …… [2] (iii) Video editing software …… [2] (b) State the purpose of applications software. …… [1]
Mark scheme
2(a)(i) Two from: 2 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(a)(ii) Two from: 2 Allows a computer to interact with sensors Visualises the physical quantities in the real world Help analyse data from sensors 2(a)(iii) Two from: 2 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(b) One from: 1 Provides the services that the user requires to solve a task Allows the user to perform specific tasks
Question 36 marks
Question
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. …… [6]
Mark scheme
3 Benefits 6 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
Question 49 marks
Question
A computer system needs to be tested before it can be implemented. (a) State why the following elements need to be tested. (i) File structure …… [1] (ii) Validation routines …… [1] (iii) The output format …… [1] (b) Computer software can be tested using normal data, extreme data or abnormal data. Explain what is meant by abnormal test data. …… [1] (c) Following the development and testing of the new system, technical documentation is produced. Explain why technical documentation is needed. …… [2] (d) The file structure, validation routines and output formats are all components of technical documentation. State three other components found in technical documentation. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3]
Mark scheme
4(a)(i) One from: 1 To ensure data integrity / application compatibility / efficient data processing To prevent data corruption / crashes 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: 1 Data the system will not accept Not in the correct form Outside the limits of acceptability 4(c) One from: 2 To help programmers / analysts / developers One from: To make improvements / updates to the system To make repairs to the system 4(d) Three from: 3 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
Question 56 marks
Question
The use of computer equipment can lead to many different safety issues. For each of the following safety issues, describe three different ways of minimising the risk. (a) Electrocution 1…… 2…… 3…… [3] (b) Trailing leads 1…… 2…… 3…… [3]
Mark scheme
5(a) Three from: 3 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 5(b) Three from: 3 Use cable ducts Place cables under carpet / in false ceiling Use cable management Use wireless technology
Question 610 marks
Question
(a) Compare and contrast phishing and pharming. …… [6] (b) (i) State two precautions that the user should take to protect their data from phishing attacks. …… [2] (ii) State two precautions that the user should take to protect their data from pharming attacks. …… [2]
Mark scheme
6(a) Similarities 6 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(b)(i) Two from: 2 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 6(b)(ii) Two from: 2 Use up to date anti-malware to remove the malicious code Check URL addresses Do not give personal information to untrusted websites
Question 76 marks
Question
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. …… [6]
Mark scheme
7 Benefits 6 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
Question 88 marks
Question
A bookshop is setting up a database of the books that it sells. Part of the database is shown. Name_of_book Type_of_book Price Date_of_publication Baines Brief Lives N 12.99 23/03/2023 Spice F 24.99 06/03/2022 (a) For each of the validation checks, state the most appropriate field. Your answers must be different in each case. (i) Format check …… [1] (ii) Range check …… [1] (iii) Length check …… [1] (b) Validation and verification checks are carried out on the data. Explain why both validation and verification are needed. …… [4] (c) State one method of verification. …… [1]
Mark scheme
8(a)(i) Date_of_publication 1 8(a)(ii) Price 1 8(a)(iii) Type_of_book 1 8(b) Four from: 4 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 8(c) One from: 1 Double data entry Visual verification
Question 98 marks
Question
A company's computer network uses a switch. (a) Explain the purpose of a network switch. …… [3] (b) A smart TV can connect to a network using wi-fi. Describe how the smart TV can be connected to the wi-fi. …… [4] (c) State the type of network that the smart TV would connect to. …… [1]
Mark scheme
9(a) Three from: 3 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 9(b) Four from: 4 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 9(c) One from: 1 Wireless Local Area Network / WLAN Local Area Network / LAN
Question 109 marks
Question
A bank's website uses secure socket layer (SSL). (a) Explain what is meant by SSL. …… [3] (b) State how a user would know that SSL was being used on the website. …… [1] (c) 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. …… [5]
Mark scheme
10(a) Three from: 3 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 10(b) One from: 1 The website address starts with HTTPS There is an icon of a green locked padlock 10(c) Benefits 5 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
Question 116 marks
Question
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. (a) State three other ways in which the student can transfer the files. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3] (b) Describe how the student could use the cloud to transfer the project. …… [3]
Mark scheme
11(a) Three from: 3 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 11(b) Three from: 3 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
Question 123 marks
Question
State the processing involved in withdrawing cash from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) after a customer has inserted his card into the machine. …… [3]
Mark scheme
12 Three from: 3 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
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Where can I find the 0417/12 May/June 2025 mark scheme?
On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/12, May/June 2025 (0417_s25_ms_12), and the question paper (0417_s25_qp_12), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 0417/12 out of?
Information and Communication Technology 0417/12 for May/June 2025 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 30 minutes to answer it.
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