Question 12 marks
Question
Circle two optical storage devices. Blu-ray disc DVD reader Keyboard Mouse reader Pen drive QR scanner RFID reader SD card [2]
Mark scheme
1 Blu-ray disc reader 2 DVD reader
Information and Communication Technology 0417/13 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_130417_s25_ms_130417/13/M/J/25
- Paper
- Paper 1 Theory
- Total marks
- 80
- Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Code on the paper
- 0417/13/M/J/25
0417/13 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 24 marks
Question
A computer system uses both applications software and system software. (a) Audio editing software is an example of applications software. Describe what is meant by audio editing software. …… [2] (b) State two examples of system software. 1…… 2…… [2]
Mark scheme
2(a) Two from: 2 Allows the user to add different features to the sound Generates sounds Can export the sounds 2(b) Two from: 2 Compilers Device drivers Linkers Operating systems // BIOS Utilities
Question 36 marks
Question
An architect is planning to buy a plotter. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the architect using a plotter. …… [6]
Mark scheme
3 Benefits 6 Max five from: Plotters work on larger sheets of paper Produce high quality output Plotters can print on a number of different materials Drawings are very accurate Multi-colour as standard Draw at high speed but maintain consistency Drawbacks Max five from: Take up a lot of physical space Can be noisy Expensive to maintain Not as portable as a printer Can be slower to output than a printer
Question 44 marks
Question
A software developer is producing a new app. The app will need to be tested before it is implemented. (a) State why the following elements need to be tested. (i) Data structure …… [1] (ii) Input format …… [1] (b) The computer app needs to be tested with normal, extreme and abnormal data before it can be implemented. Explain what is meant by normal test data. …… [1] (c) The computer app allows inputs of examination grades from grade A to grade G. State one example of extreme data used to test the input of the examination grades. …… [1]
Mark scheme
4(a)(i) One from: 1 To ensure they store data correctly To identify any errors It’s crucial for creating robust apps 4(a)(ii) One from: 1 To ensure the user enters data correctly 4(b) One from: 1 Data that is within the bounds of acceptability Data that is reasonable / sensible Data that is accepted by the system 4(c) One from: 1 A G
Question 58 marks
Question
Following the development and testing of a new computer program, user documentation is produced. (a) Explain why user documentation is needed. …… [1] (b) The input format is one component in user documentation. State three other components found in user documentation. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3] (c) User documentation can be produced as an e-publication rather than a printed booklet. Describe four advantages of producing user documentation in this format rather than a printed booklet. 1…… 2…… 3…… 4…… …… [4]
Mark scheme
5(a) One from: 1 To help the user learn how to use the program To help with troubleshooting 5(b) Three from: 3 Error handling Error messages Frequently asked questions / FAQ Glossary of terms Hardware requirements How to add records How to delete / edit records How to load / run / install the program How to print data How to save a file Limitations of the system Output format Purpose of the system Sample runs Software requirements Troubleshooting guide / helpline 5(c) Four from: 4 Cheaper to produce than a printed booklet Can be more up to date Can be updated more easily Faster to search for information digitally Can use hyperlinks to other related websites Can contain multi-media
Question 66 marks
Question
The use of computer equipment can lead to many different health issues. For each of the following health issues describe three different ways of minimising the risk. Your answers must be different in each case. (a) Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) 1…… 2…… 3…… …… [3] (b) Headaches 1…… 2…… 3…… …… [3]
Mark scheme
6(a) Three from: 3 Use a wrist rest Take regular breaks Use an ergonomic keyboard / ergonomic mouse Use voice activated software 6(b) Three from: 3 Use an anti-glare screen Look away from the screen frequently Have eyes tested regularly Use blue light lens glasses Adjust screen brightness to the brightness of the room Keep the screen free from dust and dirt
Question 77 marks
Question
Tawara Cars uses a private cloud to store data and software. (a) Explain what is meant by a private cloud. …… [3] (b) Some of the programmers at Tawara Cars are working together on creating a new design package which is stored on the cloud. Describe how data can be stored and managed using cloud computing. …… [4]
Mark scheme
7(a) Three from: 3 It is a service Completely controlled by Tawara cars Restricted access Private clouds tend to be free for users 7(b) Stored 4 Max three from: Data is uploaded from users Data saved in remote servers Backed up to other remote servers Updated files are saved Managed Max three from: Allows users / programmers to download data from the cloud Administrators control the data stored Data is synched so the most up to date file is presented Changes are tracked
Question 85 marks
Question
Weather forecasts are generated using computer models. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using computer models in this way. …… [5]
Mark scheme
8 Benefits 5 Max four from: Produces fast / accurate results They can calculate faster than a human They can calculate more accurately than a human Can easily produce a number of different scenarios Cheaper to use a computer than employ lots of staff to model Easily changed to give more accurate / more up to date forecasts Drawbacks Max four from: Results can be unreliable The cost of the hardware needed to set up of system would be very high Many different models can be produced Humans become technology reliant Cannot include all the variables
Question 97 marks
Question
A programmer has created a database for Tawara International Stores. One of the fields is Country_name which stores data as a three-letter code. For example, NZL is the code for New Zealand. (a) Describe three benefits of using these codes. 1…… 2…… 3…… …… [3] (b) The database needs to be evaluated. Part of the evaluation is to Identify any limitations. Describe four other tasks carried out during the evaluation. 1…… 2…… 3…… 4…… …… [4]
Mark scheme
9(a) Three from: 3 Data entry is faster Data entry can be more accurate Less storage space required Faster to search for data Quicker identification of countries Easier to validate 9(b) Four from, for example: 4 Compare test results from the new system with the old Comparison of the final solution with the original user requirements Identifies improvements to the system Evaluate the user’s responses to using the system Measure the time taken to complete the task and compare with the old system The appropriateness of the solution The efficiency of the solution
Question 106 marks
Question
Some personal data can be sensitive data. (a) Explain the difference between personal data and sensitive data. …… [2] (b) State two examples of personal data. 1…… 2…… [2] (c) State two examples of sensitive data. 1…… 2…… [2]
Mark scheme
10(a) Two from: 2 Personal data can be used to identify an individual Personal data can be known by others Sensitive data is protected by laws Disclosure of sensitive data can be used against a person 10(b) Two from, for example: 2 Address Bank account number Date of birth Email address Gender Name National Insurance number Nationality Telephone number 10(c) Two from, for example: 2 Criminal record Medical history Membership of a trade union Political opinions Racial origin Religious beliefs Sexual orientation
Question 1111 marks
Question
Alexander is considering buying a new smart TV and is carrying out research on the internet. (a) Discuss how Alexander can evaluate the reliability of information found on the internet. …… [6] (b) Alexander has written a report which includes images and text. He was planning to store this document on his pendrive and finds that the document is too large to store. State one way in which he could reduce the size of the document so it can be stored without removing any of the text or images. …… [1] (c) Alexander has added section breaks and a gutter margin to his report. Explain the purpose of: (i) a section break …… [2] (ii) a gutter margin …… [2]
Mark scheme
11(a) Six from, for example: 6 Anyone can create a website Websites may contain inaccurate information Some company websites may advertise one product The final part of a URL could identify a website’s reliability Comparing data found on one website with other websites Checking the endorsement of the website Check the date of the last update on the site The website contains links to other authorised websites Can read reviews on comparison sites Study the reviews to see if they are all the same Can look at reputable sites Some websites have fake reviews, all positive 11(b) One from: 1 Compress the file Save it as a pdf 11(c)(i) Two from: 2 Splits a document into two parts Enables the user to apply different formatting to each part Allows the document to be structured 11(c)(ii) Two from: 2 Extra margin Adds space to the margins It helps ensure that text isn‘t obscured by the binding Gives extra space for binding
Question 124 marks
Question
Describe the differences between a flat file database and a relational database. …… [4]
Mark scheme
12 Four from: 4 Relational database uses two or more tables Relational databases have relationships Relational database use primary keys and foreign keys Allows complex searches / complex reports Uses referential integrity Flat files only use primary keys Flat file is a simple database Flat files have data redundancy Flat files have more duplication of data leading to data entry errors
Question 138 marks
Question
A spreadsheet uses both functions and formulas. (a) Explain the differences between a function and a formula. …… [3] (b) State one example of a: (i) Function …… [1] (ii) Formula …… [1] (c) A spreadsheet uses relative cell referencing. (i) Explain what is meant by relative cell referencing. …… [1] (ii) Describe a problem that could occur when a relative cell reference is used. …… [2]
Mark scheme
13(a) Three from: 3 A function is part of a formula A function uses a reserved name The operation of a function is built into the software Carries out a specific task A formula starts with an = sign A formula is written by a user 13(b)(i) One from, for example: 1 SUM / AVERAGE Mark any valid function if it is correct 13(b)(ii) One from: 1 Correct example =A1+B1, =SUM(A1:B5) Mark any valid formula if it is correct 13(c)(i) One from: 1 The cell reference is relative to the location of the cell When a formula is copied or filled to another cell, the cell references within the formula adjust based on the new location 13(c)(ii) Two from: 2 If the cell is replicated (1st) the cell reference will change (1) The reference may not point to the correct cell
Question 142 marks
Question
State two web development layers. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
14 Two from: 2 Behaviour / scripting Content / structure Presentation / style
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Where can I find the 0417/13 May/June 2025 mark scheme?
On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/13, May/June 2025 (0417_s25_ms_13), and the question paper (0417_s25_qp_13), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 0417/13 out of?
Information and Communication Technology 0417/13 for May/June 2025 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 30 minutes to answer it.
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