Information Technology 9626/32 February/March 2025: question paper and mark scheme

Mark scheme

1(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • (An HTML Event is an action / occurrence) that happens in a web page / change in (interactive) element • by a user • by the browser. 1(b)(i) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • (start a script) when the mouse pointer moves / hovers over an element / image. 1(b)(ii) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • (start a script) when the mouse pointer moves away from / off an element / image. 1(b)(iii) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • (start a script is triggered) when a page has (completely) finished loading / is fully loaded into a browser.

Mark scheme

2(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • Each peer is equal in status to every other peer • Each peer functions as a client on the network • Each peer functions as a server on the network • The client and server functions occur at the same time / simultaneously • Peers connect directly to other peers / no central control / server / decentralised. 2(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of six marks. 6 Max 5 from : Benefits: • reduced costs • no need of central server • no specialised networking knowledge is required • specialised technical / maintenance staff are not needed • failure of one peer does not affect the others • dedicated network operating system is not required • file transfer can be restarted if interrupted Max 5 from : Drawbacks: • files / resources are not centrally organised • finding required files / resources may be difficult / time-consuming • no central backup of files • increased risk of virus / malware spread • system / device / network performance can be compromised (1st) • if there are many peer-to-peer devices (1) • reduced security of (personal) data (1st) • because peer-to-peer devices have access to all other devices (1).

Mark scheme

3(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • Software instances / versions of server (1st) • run in RAM (1) • Has its own / separate / independent OS / server software • Running on hardware shared with other virtual servers. 3(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • Collection of individual servers • function / work as one server • Work loads are shared / balanced across the individual servers • Managed by a central server unit • CSU schedules / assigns tasks to individual servers. 3(c) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • Alternative instances of the virtual server can be running very quickly / replace original • Minimal disruption to service when maintenance / upgrade is carried out / failure of original • Reduced use / costs of power to run servers • Reduced maintenance / hardware costs • reduced physical space. 3(d) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • If host server fails then all the virtual servers fail • Possibility of data leakage between virtual servers (due to use of shared RAM) • Access via the internet can cause security issues / disruption if connectivity failure • Backing up data is more difficult / complex.

Mark scheme

4(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • (Part of a) sequence • can contain images / shapes / objects / text (in a frame) • contains all the parameters / information about the objects / shapes • can be key (frame at start / end of sequence for changing position / appearance of objects) • can be property (frame at start / end / in sequence for changing properties / parameters / appearance of objects). 4(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of four marks. 4 • frame rate is number of frames per second • (low number of frames) means flicker will become apparent / movement is jerky / on-off / stop-go • high / increasing number of frames per second / drawing more frames for a movement means movement appears smooth // fewer frames per second less smooth • increase the (running) frame rate reduces the length of the animation / finishes faster / sooner (1st) • unless more frames are added (1).

Mark scheme

5 One mark per bullet point to a maximum of three marks. 3 • (When sending) converts data from applications into correct format for transmission / passing to next layer / layer 5 / session layer (1st) • because different software applications use different / their own file format / syntax (1) • Interface between application and session layer // prepares data for application / session layer • Applies (any) encryption required • (When receiving) decrypts data from session layer / layer 5 • Converts data into format software application can use / uses.

Mark scheme

6(a)(i) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • contingency time • amount of time a task can be delayed before affecting the start time of next task / dependent tasks • amount of time a project can be delayed without affecting the final finish time. 6(a)(ii) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of one mark. 1 • point in time (in a project) when tasks / activities / criteria are met / reference point • marker at significant point / stage in project / change in project conditions. 6(b)(i) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • Finish-to-Finish dependency / task cannot end until another task also ends • Start-to-Start dependency / cannot start until another starts • Start-to-Finish dependency / one task cannot finish until another task has started. 6(b)(ii) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • shows / inform managers the order in which tasks should be carried out • enables allocation of resources • helps to avoid delays (in the project) • enables construction of Gannt charts • enables calculation of critical path.

Mark scheme

7 Command word: Discuss – write about issues(s) or topic(s) in a 8 structured way. E.g.: Positive impacts: • Increase in achievement gives lifetime skills // greater achievement in workplace / higher // enhanced social lives • students can take part in classes that they would not otherwise be able to // increases range of study // more knowledge gained • well-prepared / motivated students more likely to complete / finish the courses // more likely to go onto more courses / more learning • Increase in independent learning by students so more likely to succeed / increase knowledge • More likely to understand their aims / goals / assignments • Increase in technology literacy during lessons / learning at school / college Negative impacts: • poor quality lessons / materials / teachers unsuited / untrained / unskilled in technology demotivates students / decrease in achievement in classes / courses • lack of direct support so less access to clarification • decrease in achievement in classes / courses (1st) • over / in lifetime (1) • less disciplined teaching environment (1st) • so reduced motivation (1) • more likely to drop out. One mark per bullet point to a maximum of eight marks.

Mark scheme

8 One mark per bullet point to a maximum of six marks. 6 Max 5 from : Benefits: e.g.: • Used for online and offline transactions • Integrated into existing payment systems • Used to facilitate cross-border / international payments • Accounts / easier for people to access financial services and participate in the digital economy • Provides a digital alternative to cash • Beneficial for those with limited access to traditional banking services • Provide a secure digital payment service • Provide reliable digital payment service Max 5 from : Drawbacks: e.g.: • Allows increased surveillance of financial transactions • Could raise privacy and security concerns • Costly / complex implementation of CBDCS • Security risks associated with the integration of CBDCS into existing payment systems • Increased competition to traditional from CBDCS (1st) • decline in their profits (1) • reduction in the availability of banking / credit facilities (1).

Mark scheme

9(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of four marks. 4 E.g.: • Use of inter-connected sensors / devices / appliances to gather data / personalise / customise home environment • Creating smart homes / automated home systems e.g. heating / cooling / lighting • Automatic re-ordering of goods / provisions / switching energy providers • Remote control of devices / home systems • Remote monitoring of security / video / door bell-mounted cameras. 9(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of four marks. 4 E.g.: • Devices are not always compatible / must be compatible with each other • Security (of data) / privacy issues raised by use of connected devices / unprotected devices • Voice assistants may operate / record in continuous mode / monitor every conversation / sound in the home • Conversations picked up by voice assistants may reveal personal / confidential details to third parties / supplier of assistant • Use of central control / voice assistant to monitor / control other devices collects data from around the home • Smart TVs controlled by voice commands connect to servers to parse / decode the human commands so listen to all conversations. • Increased use of energy / power (by all the devices) is environmentally unfriendly / costs more • Automatic / unwanted re-ordering by devices may result in unexpected / extra / higher costs / bills • Failure of complex systems (using IoT) can lead to loss of e.g. control over heating / lighting / valid example • Reduction in human skills as more reliant on technology.

Mark scheme

10 Command word: Discuss – write about issues(s) or topic(s) in a 8 structured way. One mark for a valid description of phased implementation e.g.: • system changeover / replacement in different time slots / periods in different parts of an organisation One mark for a valid description of direct changeover e.g.: • totally remove original system and replace with new system at once. One mark per bullet point to a maximum of eight marks. Max 5 from : Advantages: e.g.: • End-users can be trained on new terminals in smaller group • So become gradually used to using the new terminals system • New terminals can be tested in one section before replacing other terminals • Evaluation of new terminals in one section before moving on to the next • Smaller workforce / less technicians needed to install terminals compared to e.g. direct changeover • During replacement in one section sales can continue on other sections / customers can pay at other checkouts while change is occurring in one section / store does not have to close during implementation. Max 5 from: Disadvantages: e.g.: • No fall-back option for the terminals that have been replaced / old terminals have been removed so are not available if the new ones fail • Can take a very long time to fully implement / changeover to a whole new system / all new terminals in all sections • May have to update / change other parts of checkout system in phases if new terminals are not (fully) compatible.

Mark scheme

11 Command word: Analyse – examine in detail to show meaning, identify 6 elements and the relationship between them. One mark per bullet point to a maximum of six marks. • Resizing / scaling a vector image does not affect the quality of the image / does not pixelate on enlarging / zooming into an area • Vector images can have smaller file size (for a given image size) • Do not use / require as much disk space for storage • Download faster than bitmap image • Can be used / displayed on low-power / small storage space devices / tablets • Edges / lines are smooth(er) in vector images without jagged / pixelated appearance (1st) • producing a higher quality image / lines (1) • Photographs do not appear realistic (1st) • because vector images / gradations of colour / surfaces are unrealistic in photographs (1) • Small / minor drawing / editing errors / mistakes (made during creation) are more visible in vector images than in bitmap images (1st) • which reduces the image quality (1).