Information Technology 9626/32 October/November 2022: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Information Technology (9626), Paper 3 Advanced Theory, October/November 2022. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Data can be sent over computer networks and the internet using tunneling.
(a) Give two reasons why tunneling is used for sending data.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(b) Describe how tunneling transfers data over the internet.
…… [3]
Mark scheme
1(a) Two from 2
Used to set up a VPN that allows data to be kept private
Allows data to be kept secure when working remotely/sending data to/from
their company office network and home
Used to circumvent firewall rules to allow access to internal network by data
carried in packets
Allows the use of ‘foreign’ protocols on networks that do not support that
protocol e.g. use of IPv6 on IPv4 networks.
1(b) Three from: 3
Data is broken into (small) packets/datagrams for transfer over IP network
(IP) packets are encapsulated by Tunneling Protocol/L2TP inside (public) IP
packets and sent out over public communication channels (to internet)
Data is/may be encrypted using a secure shell (SSH)/IPSec protocol
Packets are decapsulated and unencrypted at destination.
Data mining is used by health care organisations to analyse large amounts of patient data.
Explain why health care organisations use data mining to analyse their patient data.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
2 Six from: 6
Identify patterns in large sets of data
Data patterns help to determine/predict trends in information
Compare and contrast symptoms to analyse disease causes/processes
Determine the effectiveness of treatments/drugs for illnesses to determine
most effective course of treatment/medicines/actions
Repeated analysis (to attempt) to standardise treatment of specific diseases
(Repeated analysis) to speed up diagnosis and treatment of diseases
Determine (normal) patterns of medical claims by
patients/doctors/clinics/hospitals to help reduce costs
Determine abnormal patient outcomes from treatments/procedures
Determine abnormal/unusual patterns of medical claims by
patients/doctors/clinics/hospitals to identify fraudulent claims.
Explain how an FTP server carries out its role in a computer network.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
3 Six from: 6
Uses file transfer protocol to transfer data across a network between client
and server
File transfer protocol site/FTP addresses begin with ftp:// to indicate protocol
required for transfer/announce their presence/only respond to requests
using this protocol
Server listens for USER and PASS commands/for username and password
from client
Server uses control connection on port 21
Active mode uses port 21 for data connection with client
Passive mode is used if client is behind firewall/unable to receive incoming
TCP connections
Passive mode sets up different/arbitrary port for client server data
connections
USER/PASS are not encrypted/is clear text unless STPS/FTPS (on port 22)
is used
Server sends acknowledgement to client if credentials accepted and session
is opened
Anonymous access can be used for downloads from server but not uploads
of files
Server allows checkpoint/restart support so downloads can be resumed if
interrupted.
Mobile devices can use Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth to exchange data.
(a) Describe three uses of NFC in mobile devices.
1 ……
2 ……
3 ……
[3]
(b) Discuss the differences between NFC and Bluetooth when used for exchanging data between mobile devices.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
4(a) Three from, e.g.: 3
Making/using contactless/mobile payments systems instead of e.g.
credit/loyalty cards
Identifying user when using transit passes/ticketing systems
In social networking for sharing images/contacts/video files (between close
devices)
Exchange personal details for entering computer games systems/online
gaming
Unlocking doors with smart locks.
4(b) Six from: 6
NFC max working distance is <20cm whereas Bluetooth is c.100m…
…so users/devices have to be (very) close
NFC sets up in <0.1 sec whereas Bluetooth can take up to 6 seconds/NFC
sets up much quicker than Bluetooth
NFC has lower bitrate than Bluetooth/400kps v. 2.1Mbit/s…
…so is not suitable for (very) large files
Data exchange is slower using NFC
…so takes longer to transfer e.g. photos/video files
NFC uses (much) less power than Bluetooth
NFC can be used to activate passive/unpowered tags whereas Bluetooth
cannot
NFC connections are automatic whereas Bluetooth connection requires
access code/PIN
NFC connections are peer-to-peer/one-to-one whereas Bluetooth can have
up to seven devices simultaneously
NFC is an emerging/new technology so fewer/older devices do not have
it/cannot use it.
Max 4 marks if bullets/list of statements/points.
A scientist requires a new computer system to help with her research into climate change.
A systems analyst will use document analysis to investigate the existing computer system.
Evaluate the use of document analysis in this scenario.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
5 Eight from: 8
Strengths:
Document analysis is systematic process of reviewing/evaluating/reading
printed and computer-based/internet-sourced documents
…which provides a large amount of information
Data in documents is examined and analysed to gain meaning/interpreted to
gain understanding/knowledge
...so requires that analyst be literate/have knowledge/be competent in the
topics/system under review
Analyst has to/should combine document research with other forms of
analysis
…so must be proficient in other forms of analysis to reach conclusions that
are reliable so must be highly skilled
Document analysis uses data that has already been collected
….so only data selection is needed so requires less time than other
methods
Document analysis costs only include the method of analysing because the
cost of collection is not needed/ uses data that has already been collected
…so is less costly than other research methods
….so are accessible to analyst
Document analysis uses unobtrusive/non-invasive/non-interactive research
methods
…so does not affect the subject being researched
Historical documents are stable/not altered by being researched
…so can be examined several times/re-examined by analysts
Documents contain references/exact details that can be cross-refenced to
other sources
…making the research more reliable
Weaknesses:
Documents are produced only as a record of an event
…so may lack insufficient detail to be useful in the research
Data may be inaccurately recorded
…so may not reflect actual events/contain all the data so trends would not
be accurate
Documents may not be in a form that allows data to be electronically
retrievable/searchable
…so research can be prolonged/miss important data
Researcher may be (unintentionally) biased when selecting documents
…so data may be incomplete.
Must be at least 2 strengths and at least 2 weaknesses for full marks.
Max 6 marks if bullets/list of statements/points.
A company designs and manages the construction of buildings. It has a client-server network for use by its designers and project managers so that they have access to the software resources they require.
Justify the use of the client-server model of networking in the company.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
6 Eight from: 8
Data/files/applications is/are centralised on a file/database/applications
server
..so only one copy has to be maintained/updated/backed up
Data/files/applications can be mirrored to other servers for increased
performance
…without the need to copy to each device in use
Disaster recovery is easier/quicker as backups used tor recover data to
server
…rather than to individual user devices
Servers can be updated/upgraded/maintained/relocated
…without affecting the user/need to update individual user devices
System is easily scalable/more servers can be deployed
…without disruption to users/without need to update/upgrade user devices
Data/files can be shared across different computing
platforms/desktops/laptops/OS/mobile devices
Data/files/applications can be accessed from different locations/mobile
devices
Data/files can be queried using SQL/DBMS systems from any corporate
device using same user-interface
…regardless of location/device
Enhanced security of data/data is not stored locally by user but controlled
centrally/setup at time of deployment of client-server system
Servers can be set up to carry out different roles/allow different access
rights for different client devices.
A software developer uses prototyping when creating a new app for smartphones.
(a) Describe the use of prototyping during the development of the app.
…… [4]
(b) Compare throw-away prototyping with evolutionary prototyping for creating the new app.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
7(a) Four from: 4
Problems/issues are detected and corrected during development
Users are involved at all stages of the development
Allows users to interact with the app/try out the app during development
Allows users to make feedback/suggest new features/improvements…
…that can be incorporated during the development
Users and developers obtain a better understanding of the product/app
Use the prototype to investigate the potential market for the app.
7(b) Six from: 6
Similarities:
Both develop early prototypes that do not feature the full requirements of the
users/require more work to meet all of user requirements
Developers and end-users interact frequently during both of the processes
of creating prototypes
End users can add features to both types of prototype at the time of review
Both use interactive reviews to improve the prototypes
Differences:
Throw-away prototypes are discarded at any stage whereas evolutionary
prototype become part of the final product
Throw-away prototypes are produced quickly and cheaply whereas
evolutionary prototypes are developed over time
Throw-away prototypes may be non-functional whereas evolutionary
prototypes are functional from inception/the start
Throw-away prototypes have early/more user involvement than evolutionary
prototypes
Progress in throw-away prototyping is easier to monitor/measure than in
evolutionary prototyping
Time scales are easier to set in throw-away prototyping than in evolutionary
prototyping
Draw the correct symbol around each of the elements shown in the DFD in Fig. 8.1. One element,
Teacher, has been done for you.
Draw the correct symbols on this DFD:
Administrator Student
Calculate Teacher Calculate
College Grade Class Grade
Student files Class Grade files
Fig. 8.1
[3]
Mark scheme
8 Three from: 3
Source symbols on both Administrator and Student 1 mark
Process symbols (calculate) symbols on both Calculate College Grade
and Calculate Class Grade 1 mark
Store symbols on both Student and Class grade files 1 mark
The symbols, as per syllabus, are as shown:
A programmer is writing some JavaScript code to display this text on a web page:
This is “Cambridge International IT 9626 Paper 3”
The programmer uses strings in the code.
(a) Describe the purpose of strings in JavaScript.
…… [1]
(b) The programmer’s first attempt at the HTML and JavaScript code is shown in Fig. 9.1. Line numbers are shown only for your use when referring to the code.
1 <!DOCTYPE html>
2 <html>
3 <body>
4
5 <h2>This is "Cambridge Assessment International Education"</h2>
6
7 <p id="string"></p>
8
9 <script>
10 var x = "This is "Cambridge International IT 9626 Paper 3"";
11 document.getElementById("string").innerHTML = x;
12 </script>
13
14 </body>
15 </html>
Fig. 9.1
When run in a web browser the HTML code outputs the heading in line 5 on the page. The browser executes the JavaScript code shown in lines 9 to 12.
The expected output of the code on the web page is shown in Fig. 9.2 but the actual output is shown in Fig. 9.3.
Fig. 9.2 Fig. 9.3
Explain why the error in line 10 prevents the JavaScript code from outputting:
This is “Cambridge International IT 9626 Paper 3”
…… [4]
(c) JavaScript programmers often wish to control when sections of their code are executed.
Compare the use of setTimeout() and setInterval() for delaying the execution of
JavaScript code.
…… [5]
Please turn over for Question 10.
Mark scheme
9(a) (Strings are used) to store (and manipulate) characters. 1
9(b) Four from: 4
Use of same (type of) quotes causes code to stop executing so string is not
displayed
Code returns focus to HTML/stops browser from executing the remainder of
page code
JavaScript strings must be enclosed by matching quotes
Quotes inside quotes cannot be the same as the enclosing quotes
Inside quotes can be escaped/use of backslash i.e. \
Quotes can be either single(‘) or double (“).
9(c) Five from: 5
Similarities:
Both are part of the HTML Window object/Document Object Model
controlling display of documents/parts of documents/both can be prefixed
with window.
Both takes/require two parameters inside the () separated by ,
First parameter in both references the function to be executed
Second parameter in both sets is a time in milliseconds
Both can be interrupted by clear Interval() function
Differences:
setTimeout() delays the execution of code which runs only once
setInterval() allows/provides for repeated execution of the code at (pre-set)
intervals
clearInterval() can prevent function in setTimeout() from ever being
executed/stop the timeout timer
setInterval() loop only stops when the window is closed/clear Interval() is
invoked/used
setTimeout() minimum value is 0/zero (milliseconds)
setInterval() minimum value is 10 (milliseconds)/if set to less than 10 then
10 is used.
Image editing software has tools for altering digital images.
Explain why a graphic designer might use each of the following tools to alter a digital image.
(a) layer tool
…… [3]
(b) flatten tool
…… [2]
Mark scheme
10(a) Three from: 3
To separate elements of image so that each can be developed/worked on
independently of the others
To overlay elements onto others so that each element can be
positioned/moved independently of the others
To allow editing of elements while leaving other elements untouched
To allow the reversal/undo of actions on one part of graphic so that errors
can be corrected/actions can be carried out to see effect without spoiling
other elements
To allow different amounts of opacity/transparency (of objects)
To insert text so that writing can be placed anywhere on the image.
10(b) Two from: 2
To combine/merge all layers into one layer
To discard any hidden layers so that all layers are visible
To fill any transparent areas with white /background colour so they appear
as in the background
To allow image/creation of pdf so that it is ready for printing
To reduce the file size.
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Where can I find the 9626/32 October/November 2022 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/32, October/November 2022 (9626_w22_ms_32), and the question paper (9626_w22_qp_32), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9626/32 out of?+
Information Technology 9626/32 for October/November 2022 is out of 70 marks, with 1 hour 45 minutes to answer it.
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Yes. Upload your answers to 9626/32/O/N/22 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.