IGCSE ICT Mark Scheme
IGCSE ICT Mark Scheme
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the March 2018 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE®, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This syllabus is approved for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
1(a) System 1
1(b) Applications 1
1(c) A printer 1
1(d) A compiler 1
2 Magnetic 4
Optical Chip
Ink Bar code
Mark and PIN
Character reader
Reader reader
Reader (3)
(3) (3)
(3)
Debit card 3
Bank cheques 3
A candidate’s
responses for multi-
3
choice exam
questions
A label on a can of
3
soup
4 CD DVD Blu-ray 4
(3) (3) (3)
Stores lower quality audio files 3
Has the highest storage
3
capacity
The RAM version of this media
is used to record and play
3
recorded images at the same
time
Stores high definition movies 3
6(a) Type of 5
Test data Expected Result
data
3.4 Normal Alert
1.5 or 2.5 Extreme Aware
1.9 Normal Aware
2.5 or 1.5 Extreme Aware
Positive number below 1.5 Normal Safe
Negative numbers/text Abnormal Error
If 1.5 used in 2nd test data then 2.5 must be used in 4th and vice versa
IF(C4>=1.5, 1 mark
“Aware”, 1 mark
IF(C4<0, 1 mark
“Error”, 1 mark
“Safe”))) 1 mark
Or
Four from:
Highlight/select/choose A4 to C9
Click Insert
Select graph/chart
Add/create a chart title
Add/create data heading
Add/create a legend
Add/create axes titles
7 Tick 3
(9)
CPU means Computer Processing Unit
Data in RAM is not lost when the computer is turned off
ROM is Read Only Memory 9
A printer is an input device
A touch screen can be an input device and an output
9
device
The control unit is part of the CPU 9
The CPU is stored on the hard disk
A pen drive is an example of internal memory
9 Three from: 3
Scrambling of data
Data cannot be understood by humans if intercepted
Requires the use of an encryption key/ public key/ key to encrypt
Requires the use of a decryption key/key/encryption key to decrypt
Protects sensitive data
One from
Both are interactive websites
Both are discussions
Both require networked computers
11 User Technical 5
Both
documentation documentation
(3)
(3) (3)
Purpose of the
3
system
Program listing 3
Input format 3
Error messages 3
Hardware
3
requirements
Drawbacks
With the cloud data can be accessed on several devices/SSD would have to
have some method of transferring it.
Extra storage can be set automatically on the cloud/SSD is a fixed size
SSD Device can easily be misplaced/damaged
Backups are automatic on the cloud/SSD you may have to set up
13 Matched pairs 6
Electrocution – 1 mark
One from:
No drinks/food allowed in the computer room
Make sure all electrical sockets equipped with RCB/Residual Circuit Breaker
Cover all loose wires
Check the equipment regularly
Fire – 1 mark
One from:
Use a CO2 fire extinguisher
One plug for one socket
Do not overload sockets
Reduce the need for 4 way adapters
Level 0 (0 marks)
Response with no valid content
Examples:
Benefits of using robots
Port can operate 24/7
Robots work 24/7/all day
Cost is reduced as there is no need to have a massive work force
Less health and safety issues
The robot can easily identify each container to quickly transfer to the lorries
Less expensive in the long term
Greater precision
Higher productivity