Information Technology 9626/11 May/June 2023: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Information Technology (9626), Paper 1 Theory, May/June 2023. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Encryption can be used to protect data.
(a) Define encryption.
…… [1]
(b) Explain how intercepted data could be misused if it was not encrypted.
…… [3]
Mark scheme
1(a) One from: 1
Data is scrambled/jumbled up (1)
Converting information so that it is impossible to interpret/understand
(1)
1(b) Up to THREE marks: 3
e.g.
Can be used for identity theft (1) plus one example (1)
Can be used for identity fraud (1) plus one example (1)
Company secrets could be sold by hackers to rival companies (1)
National secrets could be used by rival powers (1)
Secrets/personal data could be used for blackmail purposes (1)
Private details could be used to pass (bank) security tests (1st)
– Accept any suitable extension for passing security tests (1)
e.g.
– And so access (e.g.) bank accounts (1)
2 Four from: 4
Aspects of the home are controlled from Smartphone/Voice control
device/computer system/remotely (1)
Devices/appliances in the home are connected (1)
TWO types of devices (in the home) that can be controlled:
e.g.
– lighting,
– heating
– air conditioning (accept “temperature” once only)
– television
– kettle
– plugs (1)
Controlled by issuing (voice) commands/setting up routines (1)
The commands can be given by voice/sound/ remote control/ tablet/
smartphone (1)
Uses Wi-fi/home network (1)
Uses internet to access devices when outside the home (1)
Explain why a compiler may not be suitable for translating a high level language program for use on different computer systems.
…… [3]
Mark scheme
3 Three from: 3
A compiled program will only run (on a computer with) the same
operating system (1st)
as it was originally translated on (1)
The (other) computer system it is transferred to may not have the
same operating system (1)
Cross compilers can be used but the compiled program will no longer
run on the host computer/computer the program was written on (1)
Cross compiler produces more errors and mistakes than a native
compiler (1)
The cross compiled code can run slower than if it had been originally
compiled on the target machine (1)
The digital divide can exist between people in less industrially developed nations and those in more industrially developed nations.
(a) Explain why this digital divide exists.
…… [3]
(b) Describe the effects of this form of digital divide.
…… [3]
Mark scheme
4(a) Three from: 3
The quality of connection to the Internet may vary (1)
Speed of access to the Internet may vary (1)
Some countries may not have a well-developed broadband
(infrastructure)/rely on dialup connections (1)
Lack of incentive to invest in the country/nation (as a whole) (1)
In less developed countries they might have less infrastructure (may
exemplify) (1)
Not all countries are able to keep up with the constant changes in
technology (1)
4(b) Three from: 3
The digital divide gets wider (1)
Award ANY three implications of a digital divide:
For example
higher/lower quality on education (1st)
higher/lower quality on health (1st)
higher/lower quality on access to resources (1st)
higher/lower quality on lifestyle (1st)
higher/lower quality on opportunities (1st)
higher/lower quality on work/employment opportunities (1st)
higher/lower quality on trade (1st)
reduced access to social media (1st)
higher/lower access to information (1st)
A further mark can be awarded for an explanation of the impact (1)
A final mark may be given for the alternative comment – such as MP3 in the
example below. Note: can ONLY be given as a 3rd mark.
E.g., reduced access to education (1) means lower skill level (1) whilst those
in industrial societies have better access (1)
D’Oliveira Inc. is a company which sells stationery products to many stores. The company uses a transaction file to keep a record of the number of products it has sold each month.
Part of a transaction file is shown. It contains:
• ProductID
• NumberSold (the number of that product sold in a particular month)
Part of the master file used by the company is also shown. It contains:
• ProductID
• Product (description of product)
• NumberinStock (how many of that product are left in stock)
The NumberinStock on the new master file is calculated every month by subtracting the
NumberSold from the NumberinStock on the old master file.
Transaction file Master File
ProductID NumberSold ProductID Product NumberinStock
2210 6500 1965 Folder wallets 9000
3356 7300 2210 Ring binders 12000
4268 2900 2976 Notepads 10100
5690 4600 3356 A4 paper 13450
4268 A3 paper 8800
5690 HB pencils 9200
6528 Pencil cases 11150
7649 Maths sets 8240
Fig. 5.1
(a) Identify the two processes that would have been performed on the transaction file before the master file could be updated.
…… [1]
(b) List the steps involved when the master file is updated using the transaction file. Use the data shown in Fig. 5.1. Stop at the step where the third master file record is read.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
5(a) Validation and sorting (1) 1
5(b) Eight from: 8
First record//2210 in the transaction file (1)
First record in the master file/1965 is read/checked (1)
These (previously identified) two records are compared (ALLOW FT if
attempt at identifying both records) (1) (Award ‘the’ instead of ‘these’
where MP1 AND MP2 given)
Records don’t match (1st)
– computer writes master file record to new master file (1)
Next record of master file/2210 in the master file is read/checked (1)
Transaction file record/2210 is compared with this record (1)
It matches so the Numbersold is subtracted from NumberinStock (1)
Using NumberinStock of 12000 from master file (1)
Using Numbersold of 6500 from transaction file (1)
NumberinStock is now 5500 (1)
Processed record/NumberinStock is written to new master file (1)
Next record/3356 in the transaction file is read/checked (1)
Next record/2976 in the master file is read/checked (1)
Back-up software is a type of utility software. A network manager wants to back up the data stored on a server.
(a) Describe, with reasons, the steps the manager takes when setting up this process.
…… [5]
(b) Some of the data to be backed up consist of audio files. The network manager will compress these before starting the back-up process. Different methods of compression can be used.
Describe these methods giving the effects on the audio files of using each method.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
6(a) Five from: 5
Manager checks the space on the target drive/location (1st)
– to make sure there is sufficient space for the data (that will be
moved) (1)
Manager selects the time they want the back-up to take place (1st)
– manager can select to carry out the back up immediately… (1)
– BECAUSE the back-up takes place at a time convenient to the
manager/when the system is quiet (may explain why timing is
convenient) (1)
Manager selects type of back-up (1st)
– backing up only the specified data/files (1)
– BECAUSE may want to back up whole device OR new files (1)
Manager selects how regularly the back-up is to take place (1st)
– BECAUSE to minimise data loss (1)
Manager will decide where back-up is to be stored (1st)
– BECAUSE to make sure back-up will be secure (1)
Manager selects whether to verify the back-up or not (1st)
– BECAUSE to make sure the backup has been completed correctly
(1)
Manager chooses whether or not to encrypt the back-up (1st)
– BECAUSE adds an extra level of security (1)
Must have at least TWO reasons to obtain full marks
6(b) MAX three from: 4
Can be either lossy or lossless. (1)
Lossless compression reduces number of bits (1st)
– …by identifying repeated patterns of data. (1)
No information is lost in lossless compression. (1)
Lossy compression reduces number of bits (1st)
– …by identifying unnecessary information. (1)
Effects max three:
Quality of audio is the same when using lossless compression (1)
Quality of audio is lower when using lossy compression (1)
File size is smaller for lossy than lossless (accept converse) (1)
A computer system is used to monitor the level of pollution in the air.
Describe how the system would collect, process and display the data.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
7 Six from: 6
Collection
Sensor(s) are used to gather data (DO NOT ACCEPT ‘COLLECT’) (1)
Naming of TWO physical values that would be gathered:
– temperature
– pH
– CO2
– O2
– Gas (BOD)
– UV light
– infrared (1)
Note: where candidate states (e.g.) temperature sensor, this may be
taken as identification of a physical variable.
Processing
(Collected) data is sent to ADC (1)
Analogue data is converted into digital (data) (1)
Digital(ised) data is sent to microprocessor/computer/CPU
Computer stores readings in a table/database/file/spreadsheet (1)
Naming of TWO results being calculated.
E.g.
– Max temperature
– Min temperature
– Average temperature (1)
ONE mark for any description of how one result has been calculated.
(1)
Display
Computer plots graphs showing trend of pollution variables …(1st)
– …over a period of time (1)
Computer plots graphs automatically (1)
Computer outputs the results/graphs on screen/printer (1)
Results may (also) be shown on a website (1)
Complete this flowchart which will allow the input of ten numbers.
• A number is even if the number divided by 2 is an integer.
• If a number (N) is odd, it will be added to the odd total (OT).
• If a number (N) is even, it will be added to the even total (ET).
• Both these totals will be output after the tenth number has been processed.
Start
count count + 1
ET ET + N
Stop
[8]
Mark scheme
8 8
Start
OT ← 0
ET ← 0
count ← 0
count ← count + 1
Input N
X←N/2
Is/If X = No
INT(X)?
Yes
ET ← ET + N OT ← OT + N
count = 10?
No
Yes
Print OT, ET
Stop
Vishing is a method used by fraudsters to obtain banking information from bank customers by phoning them.
Evaluate the methods that bank customers could use to prevent becoming a victim of vishing.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
9 MAX five from: 8
Call back/phone the number (1)
Do not call back on the same number (1)
Do not call back on the same phone (1)
Ask to speak to the SAME person as just spoke to you (1)
TWO FROM:
– Never give out PIN
– Never give out password
– Never give out Login ID (1)
Never share security question AND answer (1)
Do not answer calls from unknown callers//hang up calls from
unknown caller//set phone to only accept calls from numbers in contact
list (1)
Use number checking//suspected spam checking software (1st)
– to block suspected vishing numbers (1)
(Customers) block numbers suspected of being vishing (1)
Keep blocking software updated regularly (1)
Any generic evaluative comment on methods as a whole (1)
e.g. These could also block genuine numbers.
MAX five from ANY evaluative comment as an extension to any point
from above.
e.g.
….to check that the call was a genuine call from the bank (1)
….so that vishing calls can’t be placed/reduce the chance of you
accidentally answering the call (1)
….so that list of numbers is up to date (1)
MAX six marks if a list of bullet points
The quality of sound produced from the data stored on an optical disk depends on the sampling resolution.
Describe what is meant by sampling resolution.
…… [5]
Mark scheme
10 Five from: 5
Sampling resolution is the number of bits (1st)
– per sound sample (1)
The higher the sampling resolution (1st)
– the more accurately the (final) outcome (of the process) will
represent the sound made (accept converse argument for whole
answer) (1)
The higher the sampling resolution/the greater the resolution the greater
the size of the file (accept converse) (1)
Modern day digital audio is normally found in 16 bit/24 bit resolutions
8-bit resolution can take one of 256 different values (1st)
– which is not generally considered enough resolution to accurately
represent music audio (1)
16-bit resolution can have one of 65 536 different values (1)
24-bit stores 16 777 216 different values (1)
the difference between 24 and 32- bit cannot be discerned by human
hearing (1)
These values are all per channel (1)
Isabella is concerned about the amount of traffic in her local area. She is going to interview all the nearby families to discover if the amount of traffic is caused mainly by local families driving short distances. It will take her a week to collect the data.
Justify the use of direct sources such as interviews in this scenario.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
11 Eight from: 8
Any correct definition of direct data sources, such as:
– Direct sources are where Isabella asks people in person//primary
source of data (must be an attempt to define) (1)
Can gain/gather qualitative AND quantitative data (1)
Data gathered is more up to date/recent (1)
Data is (guaranteed to be) relevant to the study/question (1)
Interviewer can base further questions on answer given (1)
Interviewer can ask a more in-depth/follow up questions (1)
Can interpret body language (1st)
– such as (e.g.) facial expressions//nervous movement of hands (1)
Interviews tend to be taken seriously by people (1st)
– whereas questionnaires may be ignored (1)
It ensures the data is relevant to the study//you get a better view of what
is going on//get a better understanding (1st)
– whereas indirect sources are not specific to the study (1)
You are in control of the sample size//can be as big/small as needed
(1st)
– whereas Isabella has no control over the amount of data collected
from an indirect source (1)
The source of the data is known exactly (1st)
– making it easier to judge its reliability (1)
Isabella could sell/pass/share the data on (to interested companies)
(1st)
– indirect data is not hers to sell/pass/share (1)
MAX 6 marks for a bulleted list
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/11, May/June 2023 (9626_s23_ms_11), and the question paper (9626_s23_qp_11), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9626/11 out of?+
Information Technology 9626/11 for May/June 2023 is out of 70 marks, with 1 hour 45 minutes to answer it.
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Yes. Upload your answers to 9626/11/M/J/23 as a PDF or photos, and CIE Buddy marks every question against this paper's official mark scheme, using Cambridge's marking rules. You get your score, each lost mark explained on your own script, and the topics to revise. It's a guide, not an official Cambridge grade.