2022 CCEA GCSE Digital Technology 2650 Practice Paper with Answers

RAM and cache memory are volatile, temporary memory, and the CPU is the processor itself, not a storage device. A solid state drive (SSD) is a non-volatile secondary storage device used to store files and programs permanently.

1 mark: C. [1]

A firewall and antivirus software are protective tools, and encryption scrambles data to keep it secure; spyware is malicious software that covertly monitors and collects user information without consent.

1 mark: B. [1]

In a bus topology all devices share a single central cable; in a ring topology devices are connected in a closed loop; in a mesh topology devices are interconnected directly with many others. A star topology connects every device individually to a central hub or switch.

1 mark: C. [1]

A foreign key links to a primary key in another table, an index speeds up searches, and a query retrieves data; a primary key is the field (or combination of fields) that uniquely identifies each record in its own table.

1 mark: B. [1]

AVERAGE returns the mean, COUNT returns the number of numeric cells, and MAX returns the largest value; SUM adds together all the values in the specified range.

1 mark: C. [1]

The number of values representable by n bits is 2^n. For 4 bits, 2^4 = 16 distinct values (0 to 15 in denary).

1 mark: D. [1]

Asthma, hearing loss and food poisoning are not linked to repetitive computer use; Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a condition caused by repeated movements and awkward postures, commonly affecting the hands, wrists and arms of frequent keyboard/mouse users.

1 mark: A. [1]

Excel is spreadsheet software, Access is database software, and Outlook is email/personal information management software; PowerPoint is presentation software, used to create slideshows.

1 mark: B. [1]

A firewall does not affect connection speed, compress files, or perform backups; its purpose is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic according to a defined set of security rules, blocking unauthorised access.

1 mark: B. [1]

(i) A protocol is a set of rules governing how data is formatted, transmitted and received between networked devices. (ii) A router forwards data packets between different networks, directing traffic towards its destination. (iii) Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology commonly used to connect peripherals such as headphones or a mouse.

1 mark each for (i) Protocol; (ii) Router; (iii) Bluetooth. [3]

(i) Database software stores, organises and allows querying of large sets of structured records. (ii) Word processing software is used to create and format text documents. (iii) A web browser is used to display and navigate web pages on the internet.

1 mark each for (i) Database software; (ii) Word processing software; (iii) Web browser. [3]

(a) The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer: it fetches, decodes and executes program instructions, carrying out the processing that runs all software (the fetch-decode-execute cycle). (b) Two examples: RAM (Random Access Memory), which temporarily holds the data and instructions currently in use by running programs; and a hard disk drive or solid state drive, which provides permanent (non-volatile) secondary storage for files and installed programs. (c) Increasing RAM from 8GB to 16GB allows more programs and data to be held in fast-access memory simultaneously, reducing how often the operating system needs to swap data out to much slower secondary storage (virtual memory/paging). This generally improves multitasking, reduces slowdown when many applications are open, and makes the computer feel more responsive overall.

(a) 1 mark: CPU processes/executes instructions; 1 mark: reference to fetch-decode-execute cycle. (b) 1 mark each for two valid components named (max 2); 1 mark each for correct function of each (max 2). (c) 1 mark: more RAM allows more data/programs held in fast memory at once; 1 mark: reduces reliance on slower secondary storage/virtual memory (paging); 1 mark: improves multitasking; 1 mark: overall improved responsiveness/performance explained coherently. [10]

(a) Two valid threats: malware/viruses that could damage systems or steal data, and unauthorised access/hacking, where an attacker gains entry to the network without permission. (b) For malware, the business could install and regularly update antivirus/anti-malware software to detect and remove threats. For unauthorised access, the business could enforce strong, unique passwords and configure a firewall to block unauthorised incoming connections. (c) A firewall controls which traffic is allowed in and out of the network, but it does not alter the content of the data itself; if an attacker manages to intercept the data in transit (e.g. by eavesdropping on the network), unencrypted data could be read directly. Encryption scrambles the data so that even if it is intercepted, it cannot be understood without the correct decryption key, providing an additional, independent layer of protection for data confidentiality.

(a) 1 mark each for two valid threats (max 2). (b) 1 mark each for a valid protection method matched to each threat (max 2). (c) 1 mark: firewall controls traffic flow but does not alter/protect data content itself; 1 mark: intercepted unencrypted data could still be read; 1 mark: encryption scrambles data so it cannot be understood without the key; 1 mark: coherent explanation that encryption provides an additional, independent layer of protection. [10]

(a) A foreign key is a field in one table whose values match the primary key of another table, creating a link between the two tables. For example, a MemberID field could be included in the Loans table, matching the MemberID primary key in the Members table, so each loan record is linked to the correct borrower. (b) Using linked tables avoids storing repeated member and book details in every loan record; each member's details are stored once in the Members table and referenced by key, reducing data duplication (redundancy), saving storage space, and reducing the risk of inconsistent data if details need to be updated. (c) A query could be built to search the Loans table and select (filter) only those records where the due date field is earlier than the current date, and where the loan has not yet been marked as returned, producing a list of overdue loans.

(a) 1 mark: correct definition of a foreign key (field referring to another table's primary key); 1 mark: valid example linking Loans to Members via a shared key field. (b) 1 mark: valid advantage identified (e.g. reduced duplication/redundancy); 1 mark: advantage explained/developed (e.g. saves storage, reduces inconsistency risk). (c) 1 mark: reference to searching/filtering the Loans table; 1 mark: correct criterion described (due date earlier than today, loan not returned). [10]

(a) The total can be calculated using =SUM(B2:B6), which adds together all five sales values. (b) To calculate each product's percentage of the total and allow the formula to be copied down correctly, the reference to the total in B7 must be made absolute (fixed) using dollar signs, while the reference to the individual product's sales remains relative: =B2/$B$7*100. When copied down to C3:C6, the relative reference (B2, B3, B4...) updates for each row, while the absolute reference ($B$7) stays fixed on the total. (c) A spreadsheet automatically recalculates all formulas whenever a value changes, avoiding the need to manually redo calculations by hand, which reduces the risk of calculation errors and saves time. (d) Conditional formatting can be used to automatically apply formatting, such as a different colour, to cells that meet a specified condition, such as a value being below 500.

(a) 1 mark: correct SUM formula for B2:B6 (accept =B2+B3+B4+B5+B6). (b) 1 mark: correct relative reference to B2; 1 mark: correct absolute reference to $B$7 allowing the formula to be copied down correctly. (c) 1 mark: valid advantage stated (e.g. automatic recalculation, reduced errors, easier to update/analyse). (d) 1 mark: conditional formatting correctly named. [10]

(a) 43 = 32 + 8 + 2 + 1, so in 8-bit binary this is 00101011. (b) 10110110 = 1x128 + 0x64 + 1x32 + 1x16 + 0x8 + 1x4 + 1x2 + 0x1 = 128+32+16+4+2 = 182. (c) The electronic circuits and transistors inside a computer naturally operate using two discrete states, such as on/off or high/low voltage, which map directly onto the two binary digits 1 and 0; denary, with ten possible digit values, cannot be represented this simply by a two-state electronic switch.

(a) 2 marks: correct 8-bit binary 00101011 (1 mark for correct value if minor bit error, ecf). (b) 2 marks: correct denary value 182 (1 mark for correct method/partial working if final answer wrong). (c) 1 mark: reference to two-state (on/off) electronic circuits/transistors; 1 mark: correct link between binary digits and these two physical states; 1 mark: clear, coherent explanation overall. [7]

(a) Two advantages of a wired LAN over standalone computers: resources such as printers, an internet connection, and shared files/folders can be accessed by all computers on the network rather than needing to be duplicated at every machine; and data can be centrally stored, managed and backed up on a server, making administration and security easier. (b) An advantage of switching to a WLAN is that devices are no longer tied to a fixed cable connection, giving greater flexibility and mobility in where devices can be used within range of the network. A disadvantage is that wireless connections are generally slower and less reliable than a wired connection, and are more vulnerable to unauthorised access or interception if not properly secured (e.g. with strong encryption).

(a) 1 mark each for identifying two valid advantages; 1 mark each for developing/explaining each (max 4). (b) 1 mark: valid advantage of WLAN; 1 mark: valid disadvantage identified; 1 mark: disadvantage explained/developed. [7]

(a) Four valid health problems: eye strain, caused by prolonged screen viewing and glare; back and neck pain, caused by poor posture and inadequate seating; headaches, which can result from eye strain or poor posture; and reduced physical activity/increased risk of obesity, from long periods of sitting. (b) A valid precaution is to use an adjustable chair that provides proper back support, and to position the screen at eye level to encourage good posture. (c) Regular breaks allow the eyes to rest and refocus on distant objects, reducing eye strain (following guidance such as the 20-20-20 rule); they also allow muscles and joints used in repetitive movements, such as typing, to rest, reducing the risk of muscle fatigue and repetitive strain injuries.

(a) 1 mark each for four valid health problems (max 4). (b) 1 mark: valid precaution stated. (c) 1 mark: reduces eye strain by allowing eyes to rest/refocus; 1 mark: reduces risk of muscle fatigue/RSI by resting repetitive-movement muscles and joints. [8]

(a) RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, temporary memory: its contents are lost when the power is switched off, and it can be both read from and written to as programs run. ROM (Read Only Memory) is non-volatile: its contents are retained even when the power is off, and it is generally read-only, storing fixed instructions that do not change during normal use. (b) ROM commonly stores the BIOS (or firmware), the low-level startup instructions the computer uses to begin the boot process before the operating system loads. (c) Two advantages of an SSD over an HDD: SSDs have significantly faster read and write (data access) speeds, since they use flash memory rather than a spinning disk; and SSDs are more durable and resistant to physical shock or damage, since they have no moving mechanical parts, unlike an HDD's spinning platters and moving read/write head.

(a) 1 mark: correct description of RAM (volatile, temporary, read/write); 1 mark: correct description of ROM (non-volatile, generally read-only); 1 mark: clear comparative distinction made. (b) 1 mark: valid example (e.g. BIOS/firmware/startup instructions). (c) 1 mark each for two valid advantages of SSD over HDD (max 2). [8]

A strong, unique password should be used for the banking account, making it harder for an attacker to guess or crack compared with a weak or reused password. Two-factor authentication should be enabled, requiring a second form of verification (such as a one-time code sent to a phone) in addition to the password, so that a stolen password alone is not enough to access the account. The individual should check that the website uses a secure, encrypted connection (indicated by 'https' and a padlock icon), ensuring data sent to and from the bank cannot easily be intercepted and read. Public Wi-Fi networks should be avoided for banking, since data sent over an unsecured public network can more easily be intercepted by an attacker on the same network.

Level 2 (3-4 marks): at least two valid, well-explained steps given, each with a clear reason why it protects personal data; accurate use of specialist terms (e.g. 'encryption', 'two-factor authentication'). Level 1 (1-2 marks): one or two steps stated with limited or no explanation of why they are important, or limited use of specialist terminology. 0 marks: no creditable response. [4]

A desktop publishing package is generally more suitable for creating a newsletter. DTP software is specifically designed for page layout, allowing text and images to be placed independently in separate frames and positioned precisely anywhere on the page, which makes it easy to create the multi-column layouts, varied headline sizes and image placement typical of a newsletter. A word processor, by contrast, is primarily designed for producing continuous, linear text documents, and while modern word processors do have some layout tools, they generally offer less precise control over complex page design and can be more awkward to use for combining several stories and images on one page. For a simple, text-heavy newsletter a word processor could be adequate, but for a professional-looking, visually varied newsletter a DTP package is the more suitable choice.

Level 2 (3-4 marks): a clear recommendation is made and justified with at least two valid, well-explained reasons comparing the two application types; accurate use of specialist terms (e.g. 'frames', 'layout'). Level 1 (1-2 marks): a recommendation is made with limited or undeveloped justification, or only one valid reason given. 0 marks: no creditable response. [4]

Increasing a field's size, adding a password, or sorting the table do not address data duplication at all. Normalising the data by splitting the repeated student details into a separate, linked Students table directly removes the duplication, since each student's details are then stored only once.

5 marks: full marks awarded for selecting option C (no partial credit for multiple choice). [5]

Saving the video uncompressed keeps quality but gives a very large file size, and increasing resolution or frame rate would increase file size further. Applying lossy compression at a moderate compression ratio substantially reduces file size while keeping any quality loss largely unnoticeable, meeting the stated requirement.

5 marks: full marks awarded for selecting option B (no partial credit for multiple choice). [5]

Writing detailed code, testing sub-tasks, and creating documentation are all later stages of development. A top-down approach begins by breaking the overall problem down into its main, high-level sub-tasks, which are then progressively broken down further before coding and testing.

4 marks: full marks awarded for selecting option B (no partial credit for multiple choice). [4]

(a) Two valid legal considerations: data protection/privacy legislation, which places strict controls on collecting and storing personal data from children and may require verifiable parental consent; and copyright law, governing the use of any licensed images, music or other content included in the app. (b) Two valid accessibility features: large, clearly labelled buttons and icons that are easy to see and select; and a high-contrast colour scheme, or an adjustable text size and text-to-speech/audio narration, making content easier to perceive for children with visual impairments. (c) Children often interact with, understand and navigate interfaces very differently from adult developers, who may unconsciously design for their own level of digital literacy. Testing the interface with real children reveals genuine usability problems, such as confusing icons or navigation, that would likely be missed if the interface were only tested by adult developers, helping ensure the finished app is actually usable by its intended audience.

(a) 1 mark each for two valid legal considerations (max 2); 1 mark for a brief development of one. (b) 1 mark each for two valid accessibility features (max 2); 1 mark each for a brief explanation of how each helps (max 2). (c) 1 mark: children interact with/understand interfaces differently from adult developers; 1 mark: coherent explanation that this reveals genuine usability problems adult-only testing would miss. [9]

(a) The digital divide refers to the gap between people who have ready access to digital technology and the internet, and the skills and confidence to use them, and those who do not, due to factors such as cost, location, age or disability. (b) Because not every resident will have reliable internet access or strong digital skills, the council should ensure that a non-digital alternative, such as a telephone booking line, remains available alongside the online service, and should design the digital interface to be as simple and accessible as possible for less experienced users, so that the digital divide does not exclude some residents from the service entirely. (c) Two valid environmental considerations: the energy consumption of the servers and data centres needed to host and run the solution, contributing to its overall carbon footprint; and the e-waste generated by the hardware needed to run or access the software, which can be reduced by writing efficient code and avoiding unnecessary hardware upgrades.

(a) 1 mark: reference to unequal access to digital technology/internet; 1 mark: reference to unequal skills/confidence to use them. (b) 1 mark: valid design implication identified (e.g. keeping a non-digital alternative); 1 mark: clearly linked to reduced access/skills among some users; 1 mark: coherent overall explanation. (c) 1 mark each for two valid environmental considerations (max 2); 1 mark each for a brief development of each (max 2). [9]

(a) Four valid design features: large, clearly labelled touch-screen buttons, which reduce mis-taps under time pressure; consistent colour-coding or grouping of product categories, which speeds up locating an item; a minimal number of steps/clicks required to complete a typical transaction, reducing serving time; and a clear confirmation screen before finalising a sale, reducing costly transaction errors. (b) Shop staff are the real end users of the system and may interact with the interface, or make different assumptions about how it should work, than the developers who designed it. Reviewing a prototype with actual staff reveals genuine usability problems, such as confusing icons or awkward button placement, early in development, when such issues are far cheaper and easier to correct than if they were only discovered after the full system had already been built and deployed.

(a) 1 mark each for four valid design features (max 4). (b) 1 mark: staff are the real end users and may interact with the system differently than expected; 1 mark: prototype testing reveals usability problems early; 1 mark: correcting problems early is cheaper/easier than after the full system is built; 1 mark: coherent, well-structured explanation overall. [8]

The company should obtain clear, informed consent from customers before collecting their personal data, ensuring customers understand what data is being collected and why, rather than collecting it without their knowledge or genuine agreement. The company should also practise data minimisation, only collecting data that is actually necessary for the loyalty scheme to function, rather than gathering excessive personal information 'just in case' it might be useful later. Customer data must be kept securely, for example using encryption and restricted access, to protect it from unauthorised access or data breaches, which could cause real harm to customers if sensitive information were exposed. Finally, the company should be transparent about how the data will be used, for example in a clear privacy policy, and should not sell or share customer data with third parties without the customer's explicit consent, respecting customers' ongoing control over their own personal information.

Level 3 (5-6 marks): a clear discussion covering at least three distinct ethical issues (e.g. informed consent, data minimisation, data security, transparency/third-party sharing), each explained with a valid reason why it matters; fluent, accurate use of specialist terms. Level 2 (3-4 marks): at least two ethical issues identified with some explanation, but coverage is narrower or less developed; reasonable use of specialist terms. Level 1 (1-2 marks): one ethical issue stated with little or no explanation, or a very generalised, undeveloped response. 0 marks: no creditable response. [6]

(a) Including OwnerID as a foreign key, rather than repeating the owner's name and phone number in every pet record, means each owner's details are stored only once, in the Owners table, and simply referenced by key from each of their pets' records in the Pets table. This reduces data duplication (redundancy), saves storage space, and avoids the risk of inconsistent data arising if an owner's phone number changes but is only updated in some of their pets' repeated records. (b) SELECT PetName, Species FROM Pets WHERE Species = 'Dog'; this selects the PetName and Species fields from the Pets table, filtering to only rows where Species equals 'Dog'. (c) SELECT Pets.PetName, Owners.OwnerName FROM Pets, Owners WHERE Pets.OwnerID = Owners.OwnerID; this selects the PetName field from Pets and the OwnerName field from Owners, joining the two tables together wherever their OwnerID values match, so each pet is listed alongside its correct owner's name. (d) INSERT INTO Owners (OwnerID, OwnerName, PhoneNumber) VALUES (105, 'J Smith', '07700900123'); this adds a new record to the Owners table with the specified field values. (e) If a pet's OwnerID did not match any OwnerID in the Owners table, this would break referential integrity: the pet record would be 'orphaned', referring to an owner that does not exist in the database, which could cause errors or missing information when the tables are queried together. This can be prevented by enforcing a referential integrity constraint on the foreign key, so that the database management system only permits an OwnerID value in Pets if that value already exists as a primary key in the Owners table.

(a) 1 mark: correctly identifies reduced duplication/redundancy; 1 mark: correctly explains the consequence (saves storage and/or avoids inconsistency if details change). (b) 1 mark: correct SELECT clause with both fields; 1 mark: correct FROM clause; 1 mark: correct WHERE clause filtering Species = 'Dog'. (c) 1 mark: correct SELECT clause referencing fields from both tables; 1 mark: correct FROM clause listing both tables; 1 mark: correct join condition in WHERE clause (Pets.OwnerID = Owners.OwnerID). (d) 1 mark: correct INSERT INTO clause naming the table and fields; 1 mark: correct VALUES clause with correctly ordered/typed values (numeric OwnerID, quoted text for OwnerName and PhoneNumber). (e) 1 mark: correctly identifies this as a breach of referential integrity / an 'orphaned' record; 1 mark: correctly explains the consequence (errors/missing data when tables are queried together); 1 mark: valid prevention method described (referential integrity constraint restricting foreign key values to existing primary keys). Award up to 24 marks total across all parts, distributing marks as guided above. [24]

(a)


Chess Club


Welcome to Chess Club

Welcome to our school Chess Club webpage! Here you can find out about meeting times, upcoming tournaments and how to join.

World Chess Federation


(b) The section contains meta-information about the page that is not displayed directly as page content, such as the page title shown in the browser tab and links to external stylesheets; the section contains the actual visible content of the webpage, such as headings, paragraphs, images and links, that is rendered in the browser window. (c) An internal hyperlink links to another page or section within the same website, for example About Us; an external hyperlink links to a page on a different website altogether, for example World Chess Federation, which links out to an entirely separate site.

(a) 1 mark: correct tag with 'Chess Club' inside <head>; 1 mark: <head> and <body> sections both correctly used; 2 marks: correct <h1> heading with the specified text; 1 mark: paragraph correctly wrapped in <p> tags; 2 marks: correct hyperlink with href="https://www.fide.com" and visible link text 'World Chess Federation'. (b) 1 mark each for correct description of <head> and <body> (max 2); 1 mark for a valid example of head content (e.g. title, stylesheet link); 1 mark for a valid example of body content. (c) 1 mark: correct distinction between internal and external hyperlinks; 1 mark: valid example of an internal hyperlink; 1 mark: valid example of an external hyperlink; 1 mark: correct syntax used in at least one example. [15]

(a)
DayTime
Monday4:00pm
Wednesday4:00pm

(b) CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) separates the visual presentation and styling of a webpage, such as colours, fonts and layout, from its HTML content and structure, allowing consistent styling to be defined once and applied across a page or site. An advantage of using an external CSS file, rather than inline styles written into each HTML element, is that a single external stylesheet can be linked to many different pages, so a style change only needs to be made once in the stylesheet and it automatically updates every page that links to it, rather than having to edit inline styles individually on every page. (c) h1 { color: blue; font-size: 24px; } (d) Two valid factors: ensuring sufficient colour contrast between text and its background so text remains readable for users with low vision or colour vision deficiency; and using scalable, resizable text (avoiding small fixed font sizes) so users can increase text size as needed; other valid answers include providing descriptive alt text on images for screen readers, and not relying on colour alone to convey important information.

(a) 2 marks: correct tags used; 2 marks: correct header row using for 'Day' and 'Time'; 2 marks: both correct data rows using and tags. (b) 2 marks: correct explanation of CSS's purpose (separating styling from content); 2 marks: valid advantage of an external stylesheet correctly explained (single point of update for many pages). (c) 1 mark: correct selector h1; 1 mark: correct color:blue property; 1 mark: correct font-size:24px property (accept minor syntax variation if the intent is clear). (d) 1 mark each for two valid accessibility factors (max 2); 1 mark for a brief development of one. [16]

(a) Normal test data is a valid, typical value that the system should accept and process correctly, for example a date of birth of 15/06/2005. Extreme test data is a valid value at the very boundary of what the system is designed to accept, for example the earliest or latest acceptable date, such as 01/01/1900 or today's date. Erroneous test data is invalid data that the system should recognise and reject, for example an impossible date such as 31/02/2005, or non-date text such as 'abcd'. (b) Testing with normal data alone only confirms that the system works under typical, expected conditions; it does not reveal whether the system correctly handles values at the limits of what should be accepted, or whether validation correctly identifies and rejects invalid input rather than crashing or silently accepting bad data. Using extreme data checks the system behaves correctly at these boundaries, and using erroneous data checks that validation works as intended; together, testing with all three types gives far greater confidence that the finished system is robust and reliable under a full range of real-world conditions.

(a) 1 mark: correct definition of normal data + valid example; 1 mark: correct definition of extreme data + valid example; 1 mark: correct definition of erroneous data + valid example (3 marks for definitions, up to 3 further marks for correct matching examples: max 6). (b) 1 mark: normal data alone only confirms typical-case behaviour; 1 mark: extreme data checks boundary behaviour; 1 mark: erroneous data checks validation correctly rejects invalid input; 1 mark: coherent overall conclusion that all three types together give greater confidence in robustness. [10]

(a) 'Fitness for purpose' refers to whether the finished digital solution successfully meets the needs and requirements it was originally designed to satisfy, for its intended users and intended use. (b) Two valid methods: distributing user questionnaires or surveys, asking users to rate ease of use, appearance and overall satisfaction with the product; and directly observing users as they attempt to complete typical tasks using the product, noting any difficulties, hesitations or errors they encounter. (c) Comparing the finished product against the original design specification provides an objective way of checking whether every requirement that was originally agreed with the client has actually been implemented and works correctly, rather than relying only on subjective opinion about whether the product 'feels' finished. This process also helps identify any requirements that were missed, misunderstood, or not fully implemented, which is valuable information for any further development or refinement of the product.

(a) 1 mark: correct definition referencing meeting original needs/requirements; 1 mark: reference to the intended users/purpose. (b) 1 mark each for two valid feedback methods (max 2); 1 mark each for a brief development of each (max 2). (c) 1 mark: comparison gives an objective check against agreed requirements; 1 mark: contrasted with relying on subjective opinion alone; 1 mark: helps identify missed/incomplete requirements; 1 mark: coherent overall explanation. [10]

Tracing through the loop: before the loop, total=0 and count=1. Pass 1: total=0+1=1, count becomes 2. Pass 2: total=1+2=3, count becomes 3. Pass 3: total=3+3=6, count becomes 4. Pass 4: total=6+4=10, count becomes 5. Pass 5: total=10+5=15, count becomes 6. Since 6 > 5, the loop condition (count <= 5) is now false, so the loop ends and 15 is output. In general terms, this algorithm calculates the sum of the whole numbers from 1 to 5.

(a) 1 mark for each correctly traced pass (up to 5 marks) showing the correct running values of total and count. (b) 1 mark: correct final output 15. (c) 2 marks: correct general description that the algorithm sums the integers from 1 to 5 (1 mark for 'sums a sequence of numbers', 1 mark for the specific range 1 to 5). [8]

(a) 218 = 128+64+16+8+2, so in 8-bit binary this is 11011010. (b) Splitting 11010110 into two 4-bit nibbles gives 1101 and 0110; 1101 = 13 = D in hexadecimal, and 0110 = 6, so the hexadecimal value is D6. (c) With 8 bits per pixel, the number of distinct shades representable is 2^8 = 256. The image has 200 x 150 = 30,000 pixels; at 8 bits (1 byte) per pixel, the uncompressed file size is 30,000 x 1 = 30,000 bytes. (d) Lossy compression achieves a much greater reduction in file size than lossless compression, which is important for a website photograph, since smaller files load faster and use less bandwidth and storage, improving the user's browsing experience. The disadvantage is that lossy compression permanently discards some image data/detail in order to achieve this smaller file size, resulting in a reduction in image quality that cannot be recovered, unlike lossless compression which preserves the image perfectly.

(a) 2 marks: correct binary value 11011010 (1 mark for correct working/partial value if a minor bit error is made). (b) 2 marks: correct hexadecimal value D6 (1 mark for correctly splitting into nibbles/showing working). (c) 1 mark: correct number of shades (256); 2 marks: correct calculation of total pixels (30,000); 2 marks: correct final file size (30,000 bytes), with working shown. (d) 2 marks: correct explanation of the advantage of lossy compression (much smaller file size for faster loading/less bandwidth); 2 marks: correct disadvantage explained (permanent loss of image data/quality); 1 mark: coherent overall comparison to lossless compression. [16]

DO
OUTPUT "Enter password (at least 8 characters):"
INPUT password
IF LENGTH(password) < 8 THEN
OUTPUT "Error: password too short. Try again."
ENDIF
WHILE LENGTH(password) < 8
OUTPUT "Password accepted"

The algorithm uses a post-condition loop (DO...WHILE) so that the user is always asked for a password at least once. Inside the loop, the password is input and its length checked using the LENGTH function; if it is too short, an error message is displayed and the loop repeats, asking again. The loop condition re-checks the password length each time, so the loop only ends once a password of 8 or more characters has been entered, at which point 'Password accepted' is output.

3 marks: correct input statement for the password inside a repeating structure; 4 marks: correct use of a suitable loop construct (e.g. DO...WHILE / REPEAT...UNTIL / WHILE with correct condition) that repeats until a valid password is entered; 4 marks: correct IF/condition correctly checking password length against 8 characters; 2 marks: correct error message output when the password is too short; 2 marks: correct final output 'Password accepted' once a valid password is entered, placed outside/after the loop. [15]

SET highest TO Scores[1]
SET position TO 1
FOR i = 2 TO 10
IF Scores[i] > highest THEN
SET highest TO Scores[i]
SET position TO i
ENDIF
ENDFOR
OUTPUT "Highest score: ", highest
OUTPUT "Position: ", position

The algorithm first assumes the first element, Scores[1], is the highest, storing its value and position (index 1). It then loops through the remaining elements, from index 2 to 10, using a FOR loop. Each time a score greater than the current highest is found, both the highest value and its position are updated to the new score and its index. Once the loop has checked every element, the highest score and its position are output.

2 marks: correct initialisation of highest and position using the first array element; 3 marks: correct FOR loop iterating over the remaining array indices (2 to 10); 3 marks: correct IF statement comparing Scores[i] to highest; 3 marks: correct update of both highest and position inside the IF; 2 marks: correct final output of both highest score and its position; 2 marks: correct, valid pseudocode array indexing syntax used throughout. [15]

SUBROUTINE IsEven(number)
IF number MOD 2 = 0 THEN
RETURN TRUE
ELSE
RETURN FALSE
ENDIF
ENDSUBROUTINE

SET evenCount TO 0
FOR i = 1 TO 5
OUTPUT "Enter number ", i
INPUT num
IF IsEven(num) = TRUE THEN
SET evenCount TO evenCount + 1
ENDIF
ENDFOR
OUTPUT "Number of even numbers: ", evenCount

The IsEven subroutine takes one integer parameter and uses the MOD operator to test whether it divides exactly by 2 (remainder 0), returning TRUE if so and FALSE otherwise. The main program uses a FOR loop to repeat exactly 5 times, each time inputting a number from the user and calling IsEven to test it; a counter, evenCount, is incremented every time the subroutine returns TRUE. After the loop has run 5 times, the final count of even numbers entered is output.

4 marks: correct subroutine definition (1 mark: correct header/parameter; 1 mark: correct MOD condition; 1 mark: correct RETURN TRUE branch; 1 mark: correct RETURN FALSE branch). 3 marks: correct main-program loop inputting 5 numbers (1 mark: correct loop construct; 1 mark: correct loop range of exactly 5; 1 mark: correct input statement). 3 marks: correct subroutine call and use of its return value in a condition. 3 marks: correct counter initialised to 0 and correctly incremented only when IsEven returns TRUE. 2 marks: correct final output of the count after the loop. 1 mark: valid, consistent pseudocode syntax used throughout. [16]

AI is changing software development in several ways. AI coding assistants can suggest, generate and help debug code, speeding up development and allowing developers to focus more time on complex design decisions rather than routine, repetitive coding tasks. AI is also increasingly built directly into finished software as a feature, for example through personalised recommendations, intelligent chatbots or automated data analysis, giving end users new capabilities that were previously impractical to build. However, this growth also raises risks and concerns. Over-reliance on AI-generated code can introduce bugs, inefficient code or security vulnerabilities that go undetected if developers do not carefully review AI suggestions before using them, since AI tools do not guarantee correct or secure output. There are also concerns about job displacement, particularly for entry-level developers whose routine tasks may increasingly be automated, changing the skills the software industry now demands from new developers.

Level 3 (5-6 marks): a clear discussion including at least one well-explained benefit and one well-explained risk/concern, both clearly linked to how AI is changing software development or its use; fluent, accurate use of specialist terms. Level 2 (3-4 marks): at least one benefit and one risk identified, but with limited development or a narrower range of points; reasonable use of specialist terms. Level 1 (1-2 marks): only a benefit or a risk stated, with little explanation, or a very generalised, undeveloped response. 0 marks: no creditable response. [6]

(a) Since -4 is negative, the first decision routes straight to the 'Invalid: negative number' output. (b) Since 7 is not negative, the flow moves to the second decision; 7 is odd (not even), so the output is 'N is odd'. (c) INPUT N
IF N < 0 THEN
OUTPUT "Invalid: negative number"
ELSE
IF N MOD 2 = 0 THEN
OUTPUT "N is even"
ELSE
OUTPUT "N is odd"
ENDIF
ENDIF

(a) 1 mark: correct output 'Invalid: negative number'. (b) 1 mark: correct output 'N is odd'. (c) 1 mark: correct INPUT statement; 1 mark: correct first IF testing N < 0; 1 mark: correct nested IF testing N MOD 2 = 0 inside the ELSE branch; 2 marks: correct outputs matched to each branch. [7]

(a) Two valid run-time errors: a type mismatch/data type error, which could occur if text is entered where a whole number is expected, causing the program to crash if the error is not handled; and an out-of-range error, which could occur if a negative number or an unrealistically large age is entered, which is technically a valid number but not a sensible age. (b) Input validation checks the entered data before it is used elsewhere in the program. This can be implemented using a validation loop that repeatedly checks whether the input is of the correct data type (e.g. a whole number) and, if a range is also relevant, whether it falls within a sensible range; if the check fails, an error message is displayed to the user and they are asked to re-enter the value, and the loop repeats until valid input is received, so the program never proceeds to use invalid data and therefore does not crash.

(a) 1 mark each for two valid run-time error types (max 2). (b) 1 mark: reference to checking the input before it is used; 1 mark: correct reference to a validation loop/repeated check; 1 mark: correct reference to displaying an error message on invalid input; 1 mark: correct reference to re-prompting the user until valid input is received; 1 mark: coherent overall explanation of how this avoids a crash. [7]

(a) Three valid design principles: consistency, applying the same layout, colours and fonts throughout the app; simplicity, avoiding unnecessary clutter so the interface is not overwhelming; and appropriate use of colour and contrast, ensuring text and important controls remain clearly legible. Other valid answers include clear labelling/icons for controls and an appropriate, legible font size. (b) Maintaining a consistent layout and style across every screen means users only need to learn how the interface works once, and can then apply that same understanding to navigate every other screen in the app, rather than having to relearn controls and navigation patterns on each new screen. This reduces user confusion and the likelihood of errors, and makes the finished app feel more intuitive, coherent and professional overall.

(a) 1 mark each for three valid digital design principles (max 3). (b) 1 mark: users only need to learn the interface once; 1 mark: this reduces confusion/errors when navigating between screens; 1 mark: reference to the app feeling more intuitive/professional as a result; 1 mark: coherent, well-developed overall explanation. [7]

(a) Test data: length=5, width=4; Type: Normal; Expected result: area of 20 output correctly, no error. Test data: length=0.01, width=0.01; Type: Extreme; Expected result: a very small but valid area (0.0001) output correctly, without rounding errors or a crash. Test data: length=-5, width=4; Type: Erroneous; Expected result: an error message is displayed and the input is rejected, since a negative dimension is not valid for a rectangle. (b) Testing throughout development, rather than only in one large phase at the end, allows errors and bugs to be identified and fixed early, while the relevant code is still fresh in the developer's mind and before later sections of code have been built on top of, or come to depend on, the faulty section. If testing is left until the very end of the project, bugs found at that late stage are typically far more time-consuming, complex and costly to trace back to their source and fix, since the error may now be entangled with a large amount of dependent code.

(a) 2 marks each for a correctly completed row (correct test data, correct type, correct expected result) for normal, extreme and erroneous data (max 6). (b) 1 mark: errors are identified and fixed earlier; 1 mark: code is still fresh in the developer's mind/easier to trace at that point; 1 mark: avoids later code depending on/being built on top of the faulty section; 1 mark: coherent conclusion that this makes bugs cheaper/easier to fix than finding them only at the end. [10]

(a) Four valid evaluation criteria: fitness for purpose, whether the solution meets the requirements it was originally designed to satisfy; efficiency/performance, whether it runs quickly and without excessive use of system resources; reliability, whether it operates with few bugs or crashes; and usability, whether it is easy for its intended users to use effectively. (b) The client commissioned the solution and is best placed to confirm whether it meets the original business requirements and specification that were agreed at the start of the project, from a functional and commercial perspective. End users, however, interact with the solution directly on a day-to-day basis and can provide practical feedback on its usability, ease of use and any real-world problems they encounter, which the client, who may not use the system themselves, would not necessarily be aware of. Gathering feedback from both groups therefore gives a far more complete and balanced picture of the solution's overall success than relying on either group's feedback alone.

(a) 1 mark each for four valid evaluation criteria (max 4). (b) 1 mark: client feedback confirms the solution meets originally agreed requirements; 1 mark: end-user feedback gives practical usability/real-world insight the client may lack; 1 mark: coherent explanation that combining both gives a more complete/balanced picture of success. [9]