Information Technology 9626/12 May/June 2025: question paper and mark scheme

Mark scheme

1(a) Four marks from: 4 • A larger sample size (1) • A larger/large set of data to be examined (1) • It allows data to be gathered from subjects to whom the data gatherer • does not have physical access (allow concept) (1) • Using less time (to collect the data)//data is readily available//already exists (1) • Data collected indirectly has already been collated/grouped (1) • Data collected indirectly has already been processed (1) • Information can be of a higher quality. (1) • Costs of (e.g.) travel//printing//employing interviewers avoided (must state the cost saved) (1) 1(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of four marks. 4 • The data may be out of date (1) • The data may be costly to purchase (1) • Inappropriate//irrelevant sample (who is asked//size) (1) • Irrelevant questions asked//methods used//data gathered (1) • The data may not meet the company’s needs//different purpose (1) • The data may not be specific enough//lacking detail. (1)

Mark scheme

2(a) Max 4 from: 5 VLOOKUP • It takes the B from cell D12 (1) • It looks for B in cells D5:E8 (1) • Returns/finds the corresponding value//20%//discount percentage (1st) – from column E/2nd column from the range (1) • It looks for an exact match//If it does not find an exact match it will return an error (1) Max 2 from: CALCULATION • It multiplies the percentage discount by the Price (1) • Subtracts discount from the original price. (1) 2(b) Four marks from: 4 • Both are needed because some cell references need to remain the same (1) whilst others change (1). • Absolute cell referencing always refers to the same cell therefore does not change (1st) – Valid example of a cell reference that must not change (1) • Relative cell referencing changes depending on the position in the spreadsheet//may exemplify new positions (1st) – Valid example of a cell reference that must change. (1)

Mark scheme

3(a) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks 2 • Questions are displayed on the user interface (1) • The user types in the problems/answers the questions (1) • Outputs explanation of findings (1) • Outputs suggestions/probabilities of possible solutions. (1) 3(b) One mark per bullet point to a maximum of two marks. 2 • Acts as the reasoning system (1) • Compares the faults with those held in the knowledge base (1) • Uses/searches the rules base//set of rules (1) • Uses IF THEN (1) • Use backwards/forwards chaining (1) • Produces suggestions/solutions (1).

Mark scheme

4 One mark per heading to a maximum of four marks. 4 Cost: valid comment on cost e.g. • Custom written software can be more expensive (than off-the-shelf software) (1) Ownership: valid comment on ownership e.g. • Custom written software is owned by the company that commissions/creates/buys it (1) • off-the-shelf software means the company only has a licence (1) Degree of testing: valid comment on degree of testing e.g. • Custom written software is tested by the users as part of its development (1) Level of support: valid comment on level of support e.g. • Custom written software means that support is available directly from the creators (1) • Off-the-shelf usually provide call centres which may not be able to solve problems specific to the company (1) Customisation: valid comment on customisation e.g. • Off-the-shelf software may have several unnecessary features that the company may not need/custom written software has only the features the user needs (1) • Off-the-shelf software has to be adapted to fit the company that has purchased it (1) Availability: valid comment on availability e.g. • Off-the-shelf software is available to all businesses and companies/general public not just a specific company/business (1) • Off-the-shelf software is ready-written/ready for use and already exists/there is often a delay between commissioning and receipt of custom written software. (1) Compatability: valid comment on compatabilty e.g. • Off-the-shelf software may not work with your current hardware (1)

Mark scheme

5 One mark per bullet point to a maximum of five marks. 5 • Computers can collect readings (from sensors) at more frequent intervals (1) • Computers are capable of accessing more than one variable simultaneously (1) • Computers work any time, day or night//24/7 (1) • Computers accept readings at precise/regular intervals (1) • Computers can be programmed to automatically (NOT immediately) take action on readings (1) • Computers will always accept the readings/do not forget (1) • It is safer to have a computer take readings in extreme conditions (1) • No need to input the data manually//avoids data input/recording mistakes (1) • Improved processing speed (1) • Improved accuracy of processing (1)

Mark scheme

6 One mark per bullet point to a maximum of six marks. 6 • Publish anti-malware policies for staff (1) • Teach employees to report malicious websites//suspicious emails to e.g. the network manager/compliance (1) • Instruct employees to be suspicious about clicking on links (1) • Instruct employees that they must not connect removable media/memory sticks/personally owned device to their computer/the network (1) • Provide a dedicated stand-alone/sandbox computer to check for viruses (1) • Keep operating systems/browser software/anti-virus software/the software up to date (anti-malware sw is the focus of the question) (1) • Install/maintain a firewall (any awareness) (1) • Block employees from downloading software/files onto the computer (1)

Mark scheme

7 One mark per bullet point to a maximum of five marks. 5 • Indexed sequential access is a mixture of sequential access and direct/random access (1) • A set of hash tables known as indexes contain pointers into the records/index value is generated (1) • The index is a pointer to whereabouts on the disk the record is stored (1) • Individual records can be retrieved without having to search the entire file (1) • Data is organised into records which consist of fixed length fields (1) • Records can be found randomly using an index (1) • Indexes can be searched quickly, thereby allowing the database to access only the records it needs (1) • Searches use an index which will narrow down the records/data to be • searched//focuses on a subset of records (1st) – Then that section of the file is searched sequentially to find the record required. (1)

Mark scheme

8 Max one from: 2 • An actuator converts energy into action//mechanical motion (1) • Performs a movement//physical action (1) • An actuator reacts to a signal to make something move (1) Max one from: EXAMPLE • linear • rotary • soft • hydraulic • pneumatic • electric • thermal • magnetic • mechanic.

Mark scheme

9 Max 6 from three matched pairs 6 • Different software on Eric’s computer than his friends’ computers (1st) – E.g. use generic file type (1) • Saved in a different/wrong (file) format (1st) – E.g. use generic file format (1) • Anti-Virus does not allow file to open/File has a virus (1st) – E.g. Eric needs to virus check the file before sending it (1) • File is password protected/encrypted and Eric didn’t share the password/decryption key (1st) – E.g. Eric needs to share the password (1). • Wrong access rights/permissions assigned to the file (1st) – E.g. grant access rights/permissions (1)

Mark scheme

10 Six marks from: 6 • No need to physically interact (may exemplify) (1st) – Can be more hygienic (1) – Can undertake other tasks at the same time (1) – Can operate the device remotely (1) – Can be triggered without meaning to (1) – More accessible to disabled users (may refer to device itself or devices around the home) (1) • The dialogue interface relies on speech/sound (1st) – User has to be in range (1) – Can undertake other tasks at the same time (1) – Can operate the device remotely (1) – External noise may result in the dialogue interface not understanding the command (1) – If a person has a speech impediment, may find dialogue interface difficult to use (1) – Dialogue interface may misinterpret what is said (1) – More accessible to disabled users (may refer to device itself or devices around the home) (1) – Person may not speak supported language/dialect (1) • Audible acknowledgement (1st) – Know that instruction/command has been actioned (1) • One mark for a valid conclusion (1)

Mark scheme

11 Max FOUR marks, TWO per paired answer 4 • Length check (1st) – Checks that the length of the data is exactly 7 characters (1) • Format check (1st) – Checks that each item of data begins with two letters followed by 5 digits (accept exemplification) (1) • Presence check (1st) – Checks that there is data present in this field (1). +

Mark scheme

12 One mark per explanation to a maximum of three marks. 3 • Banks require 24/7 operation and mainframe computers have a high level of Reliability Availability and Serviceability (RAS) to keep the system running (1) • Banks require 24/7 operation • ONE FROM – and it must be possible to upgrade/replace/maintain the system without shutting down the system (1) – Mainframe Computers have a high level of serviceability//avoid downtime (1) • Banking transactions need to be highly secure and mainframe computers have high levels of security (1) • Banks hold sensitive information so high fault tolerance of mainframe computers means that data integrity is maintained (1) • Mainframes have the ability to transfer processing from one core to another so that processing is uninterrupted if it breaks down and so bank service is not interrupted//needs to be 24/7 (1)

Mark scheme

13 One mark from: 8 • Definition of encryption (1) Max 6 from: Benefits: • Content of the web page cannot be understood by any third-party (accept any awareness) OR Can only be understood when decrypted//cannot be understood without decryption key (1) • Only access by authorised users (1) • Encrypted connections make man-in-the-middle attacks ineffective (1) • Reduces the impact of would be/potential hackers (1) • Dissuade/deters hackers (1) • Content of the web page (being transferred) is kept private (1) • Gives users confidence (1) Max 6 from: Drawbacks: • Encryption uses a lot of server resources (1) • Requires processing power/memory (1) • Encryption introduces latencies/delays//takes more time to transfer data (1) • Connections take longer to set up (1) • More data exchanges as keys have to be exchanged (1) • Need to buy an SSL certificate (1) issued by certificate authorities (1) • There are proxy caching problems. (1)