Information Technology 9626/13 May/June 2024: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Information Technology (9626), Paper 1 Theory, May/June 2024. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
A relational database has been created for customer orders.
The entities and attributes in the relational database are:
CUSTOMER ORDER PRODUCT
Cust_ID Order_code Product_ID
First_name Cust_ID Description
Family_name Date Price
Address_1 Product_ID
Town Quantity
Zip_code
(a) Identify the primary key in the CUSTOMER entity.
…… [1]
(b) Identify the primary key in the ORDER entity.
…… [1]
(c) Identify one foreign key in the ORDER entity.
…… [1]
(d) Identify the relationship between the CUSTOMER and ORDER entities.
…… [1]
Mark scheme
1(a) Cust_ID (1) 1
1(b) Order_code (1) 1
1(c) One from: 1
Cust_ID (1)
Product_ID (1)
1(d) One to many//one CUSTOMER to many ORDER(s) (1) 1
Unauthorised people can access personal data in different ways.
Describe what is meant by the terms:
(a) pharming
…… [4]
(b) smishing
…… [4]
Mark scheme
2(a) Four from: 4
Uses a fake website/illegitimate website/website pretends to be real (1)
Installs a piece of software/code on user’s computer (1st)
unintentionally/unknowingly/without consent (1)
Software corrupts the host(s) file (1st)
by adding URLs and corresponding IP addresses (1)
User thinks they are on a genuine//non fraud website (1st)
customer types in the response to question (1).
2(b) Four from: 4
Involves using text/SMS messages (1)
The message may invite the receiver to click a link (1st)
looks just like the/an actual company’s website (1)
but is a fake website (1)
The message may invite the receiver to phone a telephone number (1st)
that connects to an automated voice response system (1)
The smishing message usually contains something that demands the
target's immediate attention (award exemplification) (1)
User thinks they are on a genuine//non fraud website (1st)
customer types in the response to question (1). (accept phone call
equivalent)
In an expert system, the inference engine uses reasoning that consists of backward or forward chaining.
Explain the differences between backward and forward chaining.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
3 Six from: 6
Forward chaining MAX FIVE
Forward chaining starts with/uses the data (1)
Uses inference rules to extract more data. (1st)
until a goal is reached (1)
An inference engine searches until it finds an IF statement known to be
true (1)
The inference engine uses the ‘THEN’ part of the IF THEN statement to
cause the addition of new information (1)
Inference engines will iterate through this process (1st)
until a goal is reached (1)
This method is called data-driven (1)
Backward chaining MAX FIVE
Backward chaining starts with/uses a list of goals/hypotheses (1)
Uses inference engine to search for data that fits a goal/hypothesis (1)
An inference engine searches until it finds a THEN part that matches a
desired goal (1)
If the IF part of that rule is not known to be true (1st)
then it is added to the list of goals (1)
This method is called goal-driven (1)
Describe the terms absolute and relative cell replication, giving an example of each.
Absolute ……
Relative ……
[4]
Mark scheme
4 Four from: 4
Max two for each:
Absolute:
Always copies the same cell reference without modification when
replicated/a fixed reference to a cell (1)
Any example of an absolute value/formula/source cell not changing (1)
Relative:
It copies the cell reference, but will increment the cell reference when
replicated//cell reference changes as the formula location changes (1)
Any example of a relative value/formula/source cell changing (1)
A college uses a database to store student records. Each student has a unique ten-digit student number.
The database stores the examination scores of each student. The maximum mark in each examination is 100.
The database already has presence, existence and integrity validation checks built in.
Describe three additional validation rules, using student number and examination scores as examples. For each rule, give a different reason why it can still allow inaccurate data to be entered.
Rule 1 ……
Reason 1 ……
Rule 2 ……
Reason 2 ……
Rule 3 ……
Reason 3 ……
[6]
Mark scheme
5 Six available. 6
First mark : Describes the type of check and the data that is being checked
(student ID or Student examination score).
Dependant mark: Candidate states why inaccurate data could still be
entered.
Three matched pairs from:
Length check on student number (1st)
ONE OF
won’t identify if the number is wrong (1)
Won’t check invalid characters//or example (1)
Won’t check if value is unique (1)
Invalid character/Type check on either (1st)
ONE OF
Type check on student number won’t trap fewer/more than 10 digits (1)
Type check on exam mark might still allow abnormal data to be entered
(1)
Won’t identify if the number is wrong (1)
Won’t check if value is unique (1)
Range check on either (1st)
ONE OF
Range check will only check the number is in range//will not check if
number incorrect (1)
Won’t identify if the number is wrong (1)
Limit check on either (1st)
ONE OF
Range check will only check the number is below a higher number//will
not check if number incorrect (1)
Range check only checks for exceeding the maximum value/score (1)
Won’t identify if the number is wrong (1)
Check digit on student number (1st)
won’t identify if the number is wrong (1)
The environmental conditions around a chemical factory need to be monitored to make sure the environment is safe from pollution.
(a) Describe how data logging could be used to help the factory owner monitor the environmental conditions around the factory.
…… [6]
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of monitoring the environmental conditions around the factory using a computer system rather than using manual methods.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
6(a) Six from: 6
Sensor used to gather data (1)
Identifies ONE suitable sensor for collecting information on presence OR
absence of pollution (1)
Data collected is analogue (any awareness) (1)
Analogue to Digital Convertor converts data to digital (1st)
So can be used/understood by the computer (1)
Computer analyses/processes data (1)
Results presenting in appropriate format/tables/graphs/charts (1)
6(b) Eight from: 8
Advantages MAX SIX:
Data is continually monitored//no reason for monitoring not to occur
(may exemplify) (1st)
if an event happens it should not be missed (1)
Computer systems can monitor multiple sensors simultaneously (1)
The logged data is already in electronic form (1st)
no transcription errors/no human error (1)
Does not need to be entered/typed in (1st)
which saves time (1)
Personnel can do other useful tasks (1)
Data is immediately sent to the computer (1st)
The data can be displayed immediately/in real time (1)
The data can be analysed immediately/in real time (1)
Can monitor 24/7 (1)
No risk to humans/equivalent answer (1)
Can be monitored remotely (1)
Disadvantages MAX SIX:
Any interruptions to the power supply could cause sensor to stop
working//collection of data to be missed/not happen (1)
Any damage/failure of the equipment could cause collection of data to be
missed/not happen/be inaccurate (1)
The maintenance of equipment can be expensive/dangerous/time
consuming//requires expertise/training. (1)
Data logger can not react to emergencies//unusual circumstances (1)
Draw a program flowchart, in the space provided, that will allow an examination mark to be entered and then output an appropriate message giving the correct grade, as shown in the table. All marks are integers.
Mark Message
85 or more Grade A
70 or more Grade B
50 or more Grade C
Any other mark Grade U
[8]
Mark scheme
7 Eight from: 8
1 START and STOP terminators 1 mark
2 Input Mark 1 mark
3 A, B and C grade decisions logically correct (check order) 2 marks
OR
4 Two of A,B or C decisions logically correct (check order) 1 mark
5 All decision box used have Yes and No 1 mark
5 A, B and C grades output from relevant logic 1 mark
6 U Grade output from correct logic AND correct yes/no decision
1 mark
7 All flow lines correctly located 1 mark
8 All lines have arrow heads with direction of flow 1 mark
9 All correct symbols/shapes 1 mark
Explain why the following techniques could be used when editing a video.
(a) Creating credits
…… [2]
(b) Extracting a still image
…… [2]
(c) Exporting a video clip in a different file format
…… [2]
Mark scheme
8(a) Two marks available for a full explanation: 2
To identify the people involved in the creation of the video (1) so they can
get recognition//acknowledge their role in creating it (1)
8(b) Two from: 2
A frame from the video to be used as a photograph/thumbnail (1) used for
(e.g.) marketing/publicity//to check for continuity//to be used as an icon
(1)
8(c) Two from: 2
Not all devices/platforms are able to play videos in all formats/the original
format (1)
which means some videos are incompatible with specific
devices/platforms
so this makes the video able to play/be accessed/used on a wider
range of devices/platforms (1)
Videos may need to be converted to reduce their file size (1st)
to allow them to be attached to an email (1)
reduce storage space (1)
upload to video streaming website/social media (1)
A car park barrier opens automatically when a vehicle approaches and closes when the vehicle is clear of the barrier.
Describe how a microprocessor could be used to control the operation of the barrier.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
9 Six from: 6
Sensor identifies approach/presence of vehicle (1)
Identifies ONE suitable sensor (Induction loop/pressure sensor/light
sensor ) (1)
Microprocessor registers presence of vehicle (1)
Microprocessor checks if barrier is raised/lowered (1)
If barrier down it needs to be raised (1)
Microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator/motor (1st)
which then raises the barrier (1)
If barrier up microprocessor does nothing (1) (if mark not awarded for MP
5, a mark may be awarded for “If barrier up”)
Computer checks to see whether vehicle is present/has gone (1) and if
vehicle not detected then the barrier comes down (1)
Describe the benefits and the drawbacks of using the csv file format to save data.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
10 Eight from: 8
CSV means comma separated value (1)
Benefits MAX SIX:
e.g.
csv is human readable (1)
can be edited in a text editor (1)
csv is processed by multiple//almost all applications (1)
csv is small in file size//takes up little storage space (1)
Drawbacks MAX SIX:
e.g.
csv includes data//values only (1)
Does not include formatting (1)
There is no distinction between text and numeric values (1)
No standard way to represent binary data (1)
Problems with importing csv into SQL (no distinction between NULL and
quotes) (1)
Poor support of special characters (1)
No standard way to represent control characters (1)
Lack of universal standard. (1)
Checked your answers against these? Let AI mark the whole paper, on your own working.
Examiners follow the generic marking principles at the front of the scheme, then each question's points: method (M), accuracy (A) and independent (B) marks, error carried forward where the scheme allows it, and positive marking, so you're credited for what you got right.
Check your answers against it
Done this paper? Upload your script and CIE Buddy's AI marker marks it question by question against this exact scheme, puts the ticks on your own working and says what each lost mark needed.
Where can I find the 9626/13 May/June 2024 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/13, May/June 2024 (9626_s24_ms_13), and the question paper (9626_s24_qp_13), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9626/13 out of?+
Information Technology 9626/13 for May/June 2024 is out of 70 marks, with 1 hour 45 minutes to answer it.
Can I get my 9626/13 answers marked?+
Yes. Upload your answers to 9626/13/M/J/24 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.