Information Technology 9626/12 October/November 2025: question paper and mark scheme

Mark scheme

1 Three from: 3 • Accuracy/free from error (1) • Completeness (1) • Level of detail (1) • Relevance (1) • Time/age/out of date (1)

Mark scheme

2 Three from: 3 • Used to check the file has been transmitted correctly (any awareness of verification/checking of file transfer) (1) • The control total is done only on numeric data (1) • The control total is a calculated value/any awareness of calculation to achieve a total (1) • The control total is added to the file (to be transmitted) (1) • The control total is recalculated when the file has been transmitted (must have concept of “after transmission” linked to the recalculation) (1) • Statement about outcome based on comparison of two totals (1)

Mark scheme

3(a) Four from: 4 • Acts as a reasoning system/applies logic/makes decisions (1) • Searches the knowledge base/database (1) • Selects/applies/uses applicable/relevant rules (1) • Uses rules to interrogate the knowledge base/database (1) • Uses the rules to determine outcomes (1) • Uses IF THEN analysis (1) • Uses forward chaining/backward chaining to reason/arrive at solutions (1) • Request clarification from the user if necessary/asks (further) questions from the user if necessary (1) 3(b) Four from: 4 • Data is collected from experts/relevant sources/data mining (any awareness of source) (1) • Relevance of data is decided (1) • Data is entered (into knowledge base) (1) • Uses a knowledge base editor to edit/created by a knowledge base engineer (1) • Design/decide the rules base (1) • Create the rules base (1) • Create the links between the rules and knowledge/data (1)

Mark scheme

4 Four available. 4 Max two for each matched pair: e.g. • Impossible/difficult/improbable to include all the possible variables (1st) – too many/unknown/unexpected variables (variables in widest sense) (1) • Spreadsheet software is limited size/capacity/scalability (1st) – plus suitable explanation of an issue this causes (1) • May not have the required formulae/functions (NOT “options”) (1st) – plus suitable explanation of an issue this causes (1) • Need training to use the software (properly)/requires an expert/complicated for new users (1st) – plus suitable explanation of an issue this causes e.g. cost of expertise (1) – therefore takes time to create (do not award as extension for “requires an expert”) (1) • Spreadsheets can be edited by anyone who has the software ( 1st) – So different versions may develop (1) – So different outcomes arrived at (1)

Mark scheme

5 Eight available. 8 Two per error and improvement. ONLY consider a maximum of four errors. Location (1st mark) What would be achieved WHILE X=0 WHILE loop would continue if X is equal to zero/would not continue if x is greater than 0 AND <=Y Logic error as <Y is not being compared to anything <=Y If X = Y, algorithm will continue. PRINT X, “is a factor of Y” Would not show value of Y / would show Y as the value Lines of code following the Code would run (regardless if conditions are WHILE statement are met) ONCE/no loop NOT indented No ENDIF The IF statement will only consider one line/will not compute as no close detected

Mark scheme

6(a) Two from: 2 e.g. • To commit theft (1) • To commit industrial espionage (1) • To commit sabotage (1) • Reasons of extortion/financial gain (1) • To track behaviour/actions/keystrokes/inputs (1) 6(b) Six available for three matched pair answers. 6 Max two for each matched pair: e.g. • System slow-down/sluggish/lack of response (1) anti-virus software uses up resources/processing power/memory/space (1) • Disrupts user experience/annoys user (1) with popups/system restarts. (1) • Limited to known viruses/database/software has to be updated regularly (1) new viruses are developed all the time (1) (only award if either of previous two marks given) • False sense of security (1st) – new viruses are developed all the time (1) – unless file is updated (1) • False positive/identification (1st) – unnecessarily quarantined/blocked files (1) Max two from: • Limited check/Only checks for viruses (1st) – it does not remove other type of malware (1) OR • It does not check all types of malware (1st) – such as (e.g.) rootkits (1)

Mark scheme

7(a) Four from: 4 • Decide on what you want to learn/know (1) • Identify/prepare questions (1) • Decide on interviewer (1) • Identify population/decide which group of staff to interview (1) • Choose suitable date/time (1) • Choose suitable location (any indication of choice OR criteria) (1) • Select/invite attendees/employees (1) • Choose suitable timetable/length (1) • Prepare suitable recording methodology (1) 7(b) Four from: 4 Analysis • You can create complex reports (1st) – allows to combine data from multiple tables (1) • You can create complex queries (1st) – … (1) • You can create dynamic queries (1st) – … (1) Organisation • Quicker to search (1st) – Because data is held in tables (1) Consistency • Data is not repeated/reduced redundant data/only entered once ( 1st) – Quicker/easier to modify the data (1) – File size can be smaller/frees up (NOT “creates”) storage space (1) – Reduced chance for errors (1)

Mark scheme

8(a) One from: 1 • Compressed data cannot be reconstructed (1) • It permanently removes data (1) 8(b) One from: 1 • Compressed data can be reconstructed (1) • Does not permanently remove data (1) 8(c) Four available. 4 One per instance of a valid comparison: e.g. • Lossless will not affect the quality of video/lossy will affect the quality (1) • Lossy reduces the colour range (1) • Lossy can alter the frame rate (make the video jumpy/stutter) (1) • Lossy can desync the audio with video (1) • Lossy can affect the colour settings of the video (1) • Lossy can affect resolution of video (1) • Lossy can affect the bitrate/make incompatible with devices (1)

Mark scheme

9 Six from: 6 • Definition of encryption (1) • Protects data/data “is safe”/improves data security (1) • Data remains protected if pen drive is lost (1) • Proves that the data has maintained its integrity (1) • Files cannot be understood unless decrypted (must have concept of encryption/decryption) (1) • Files cannot be understood by an unauthorised user/anyone without the decryption key (1) • Remains encrypted regardless of where it is moved to (1) • Reduces motivation to steal pen drive (1) • Increased confidence in saving sensitive data/files on the pen drive (1)

Mark scheme

10 Four from: 4 • They have a long lifespan (1) • They perform consistently (1) • They have very little downtime (1) • They are easier to maintain/hot swap (1) • They have stronger security (1) • They have high fault tolerance (1) • They achieve very high temperatures/They require heat maintenance (1) • They have a large number of processors/multi-core processors/uses parallel processing (1) • They can carry out multiple processes at the same time • They can run multiple operating systems at the same time (1) • They have a high degree of backwards compatibility (1)

Mark scheme

11 Two from: 2 • FLOPS is floating point operations per second (1) • Are a unit of measurement of processing power (1) • Are used to measure supercomputer’s performance (1)

Mark scheme

12 Four from: 4 Organisation e.g. • It organises the arrangement of the files on the disk (1st) Max one from: – uses indexes to determine where to put data (1) – organises data by (two from) cylinder, head, sector (1) – organises data by memory location/index (1) Maintenance e.g. • Maintains / creates directory structures (1) • Random access/serial access to files (1) • Disk formatting tools/Defragmentation tools (any mention) (1) Access e.g. • Controls access / implements access rights / implements password protection / Makes file sharing possible (1) • Specifies tasks that can be performed on a file (two from e.g. open, close, delete, copy, create, move) (1)

Mark scheme

13 Six from: 6 e.g. • Can give differing levels of access to health services (1) • Increased risk of death/length of illness extended (1) • May not have online health services (1) – Reasonable implication (1) • Delayed access to results (1) • May need to attend doctor in person/travel to hospital (1) • Not everyone may be able to book online (1st) – need to visit/telephone (1) – which means time is wasted/used less efficiently (1) • Not everyone can order/reorder medicine/prescriptions online (1) • Doctors can work remotely from the patient (1st) – increased access to doctor/patient (1) – ambulances are less frequently used (1) • Not everyone can submit/receive test results online (1) • Not everyone can be monitored remotely (1)