Cambridge International AS & A Level

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/13

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2021
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 90

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 May/June 2021 series for most Cambridge
IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.

This document consists of 12 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• 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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• 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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

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).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

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.

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Question Answer Marks

1(a) 1
Searching the World Wide Web to find weather data

Interviewing residents living on a street to find out how busy the


traffic on the street is

Examining the census results for previous years

Looking at a list of names and addresses of everyone who is

registered to vote

1(b) 1
Dynamic data is data that never changes.

Data on a hard disk is an example of dynamic data. 

‘Canada has a border with the United States’ is an example of

dynamic data.

Dynamic data is never checked for accuracy before publication.

1(c) Six from: 6

Transmitted data is encrypted so that a third party cannot eavesdrop and

view the data
Only the user's computer and the secure server can recognise the data
Websites often use SSL/TLS certificates to verify their authenticity
SSL/TLS use two keys to encrypt data…
…a public key known to everyone and a private key known only to the
recipient
When a web browser tries to connect to a website using SSL/TLS, it
requests the web server to identify itself
The web server sends the browser a copy of the SSL/TLS Certificate
Certificate Authorities are used to ensure the authenticity of the certificate
The browser checks to see if the SSL/TLS Certificate is trusted
If the SSL/TLS Certificate is trusted, then the browser sends a message to
the Web server
The server then responds to the browser with a digitally signed
acknowledgement to start an SSL/TLS encrypted session
SSL/TLS requires a handshake to be carried out/the browser and the
website carry out a (SSL/TLS) handshake

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) 1
It is a cheaper method than any other form of storage.

Data is more secure than when stored than any other form of
storage.

Users have an unlimited amount of free storage.

You can store data wherever you are, as long as there is an


internet connection.

2(b) 1
It is an optical method of storage.

It can be used to store operating systems. 

It cannot store movies.

It does not consist of moving parts.

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Question Answer Marks

2(c) Six from: 6

Advantages
The cost of storage per GB in the long term is cheaper with a magnetic tape
drive than with an SSD drive
The cost of a tape cartridge is much cheaper than the same size SSD
Tape cartridges can store more than an external SSD drive
Magnetic tape has a longer lifespan…
… The NAND flash used in SSDs can only be used for a finite number of
writes
It is more difficult to hack into a magnetic tape drive than an external SSD
drive
Tape storage density is growing faster than SSD drives

Disadvantages
The cost of a tape drive is initially more expensive than an SSD drive
If the data is stored near a strong magnetic field or a large speaker, the tape
can be damaged.
It is necessary to keep older tape equipment just to be able to read the
stored data
Access to data on a magnetic tape drive is slower as data is stored
sequentially…
…to get to the data needed, it is necessary to start at the beginning of the
tape and read all the preceding data prior to reaching the required data…
… whereas all parts of the SSD can be accessed at once
If huge amounts of data are stored, different cartridges may need to be
loaded, which takes time
Tape drives are more susceptible to shock and damage…
…as there are moving parts
SSDs use significantly less power than tape drives
With no moving parts, SSDs run at near silent operation unlike tape drives

At least one of each required to obtain full marks

Must be a proper evaluation to obtain full marks
Max. five marks if bullets/list of points
Must have expansions or direct comparisons to be a proper evaluation

Question Answer Marks

3(a) Three from: 3

Data compression reduces the overall number of bits and bytes in a file
A lot of data in computer files is redundant, with the same information listed
over and over again
File compression programs remove the redundancy
A lossless file compression program uses codes to represent repeated
information
When decompressed, the codes are replaced with the original text
Compression can be either lossless or lossy, where repeated parts are
deleted

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Question Answer Marks

3(b) Three from: 3

Low-level formatting divides the disk surface into tracks, sectors and
cylinders
This is done by magnetising the disk areas using the write heads
Tracks are numbered starting from 0
When the head goes from one track to the next, it leaves a gap
Each track is organised into numbered sectors, starting at 1 and separated
by gaps
The purpose of low-level formatting is to prepare the disk surface to receive
data/allow the user to save data/files
High-level formatting creates a file system on the disk
This allows the operating system to use the disk space to store and access
files

3(c) Three from: 3

Deleting a file consists of removing the file name and address from a table
which stores data about the file
The space on the disk where the file was located is now available for future
use by other files
Moving a file to trash/recycle bin simply alters the directory path to indicate
that the file has been temporarily deleted
It is only deleted in as much as the software shows it in the trash
can/recycle bin rather than in a normal folder
Only when the file is deleted from the trash/recycle bin is the file removed
from the table and the file's disk space is marked as available for reuse

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Question Answer Marks

4 Eight from: 8

Advantages
Video monitoring is more likely to deter theft, thus maintaining security
Video monitoring can monitor employee productivity/check that work is up to
standard/check that employees are working efficiently
Video monitoring provides an opportunity to watch for mistakes and errors
throughout the workday…
…to help an employee cut down on their mistakes in the future by…
…pointing out ways they can improve
The employer can more easily catch those who willingly violate company
policy…
…and immediately employ disciplinary action
Video monitoring can increase productivity if employees know they are
being monitored constantly
Software can also be used to monitor or track employee activity and
productivity

Disadvantages
Software/hardware is expensive to purchase…
…and to set up
More likely to lend itself to lawsuits for infringement of privacy
More likely to make employees resentful and less productive…
…because of infringement of privacy
More likely to lead to mistrust of their employer…
…causing some workers to leave…
…and thus creating increased turnover of employees

At least two of each required to obtain full marks

Must be a proper evaluation to obtain full marks
Max. six marks if bullets/list of points
Must have expansions or comparisons to be a proper evaluation

Question Answer Marks

5 Issue: Overloading sockets causing overheating and therefore fire 6

Prevention: Have CO2 fire extinguisher in the room/Have separate sockets
for each plug

Issue: Water spilt on to live wires/handling bare wires can cause electric
shocks or electrocution
Prevention: Do not allow food and drink into the computer room/keep
computers away from water supply/ensure regular inspection by electrician/
ensure all wires are properly insulated

Issue: Heavy objects can fall off tables and cause injury
Prevention: Ensure sturdy desks or tables are used/ heavy objects are
placed in in the centre of tables

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Question Answer Marks

6(a) Six from: 6

In a peer-to-peer network computers pool their resources/A client-server

network has many of its resources on one server
Unlike clients in a client–server network, peers communicate with each
other directly
If a computer becomes unavailable in a peer-to-peer network, the other
peers can still share resources
If the server crashes in a client-server network, all resources become
unavailable
In a client-server network the server controls security of the network/In a
peer-to-peer network each computer is responsible for its own security
Data is all backed up by the server in a client-server network/In a peer-to-
peer network each computer has to be backed up
It is easier to set up a peer-to-peer network than a client-server network as it
does not need specialist knowledge
Peer-to-peer networks are not centralised so are difficult to
administer/manage
Peer-to-peer network security is expensive as each peer has to have its
own virus scanner
Computers in a peer-to-peer network may be fulfilling more than one role
…they may be printing or file sharing…
…so performance can be slower
With peer-to-peer networks, each computer being accessed by others can
slow down the performance for the user unlike in client-server networks
Ensuring that viruses are not introduced to the network is the responsibility
of each individual user/client-server has central virus protection distributed
to each computer
Upgrading the network is easier with a client-server network as it is easier to
just upgrade the server

6(b) Three from: 3

Products and services have potential access to a global/wider

market/increased number of customers
Social media sites allow low-cost marketing/advertising
It opens up opportunities to have staff working from home, reducing the cost
of having an office building
It enables companies to share knowledge and information/documents
quickly and easily
Business information and details about products and services can be
accessed by any company/customer …
…no matter where the customers/businesses are…
…or what time of day it is
Bank transfers are quicker using online banking
Money does not have to be transported to the bank, leading to increased
security
Companies can receive customer payments more quickly online
Companies know that customer payments have been guaranteed
Companies can send orders/invoices more quickly to other companies

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Question Answer Marks

6(c) Four from: 4

Workers can get distracted by other websites/personal emails/social

networking and not do their work
Employees can infect their computers, and the entire office network, by
downloading and installing malicious software (disguised as legitimate
applications) which can affect the working of the company
When sending emails to external clients/posting in forums/social networking
sites, employees could be putting their company’s endorsement on their
electronic communications
If a company is given bad reviews on review sites by disgruntled
employees/rival companies, it is difficult to remove them
Potentially there are lower profit margins as customers can shop around
Lose human interaction of face-to-face meetings with colleagues and
customers
Customers have easy access to social media to complain and this can
damage the reputation of a company

Question Answer Marks

7(a) Three from: 3

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network

It allows simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video, data, and other
network services…
…over public switched telephone network
It is a circuit-switched telephone network system which also provides
access to packet-switched networks
It results in potentially better voice quality than an analogue phone can
provide
High definition is achievable using a Primary Rate Interface (PRI)

7(b) Three from: 3

SDSL stands for Symmetric/Synchronous Digital Subscriber Line

Bandwidth and bit rate in the downstream direction/from the network to the
subscriber is identical to the bandwidth in the upstream direction/from the
subscriber to the network/upload and download speed are the
same/balanced
SDSL is generally aimed at business customers/ADSL is marketed at
private as well as business customers
SDSL is a good choice for high-quality video conferencing as it allows high
bandwidth

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Question Answer Marks

8(a) Three from: 3

=ROUND(C2*10%,0) is a formula
A formula can provide representations of mathematical operations
A formula is something that is user-created and can include spreadsheet
functions
A formula can be as simple or as complex as the user wants
A formula can contain a function, but it is possible to write a formula without
a function

8(b) Three from: 3

ROUND(....) is a function
A function is also a formula
The parts have been predefined by the spreadsheet software/ready-built
formula
Instead of having to accurately type out the details of the formula, a function
acts as a shortcut to carry them out
Most functions have criteria but not always as with RAND()

8(c) Select A2:D15 4

First sort ascending by Car Make/Column A…
…Then sort descending by Car model/Column B…
…Then sort ascending by Car value/column C

Question Answer Marks

9 Five from: 5

The csv file size is smaller/the file takes up less storage space
As the csv file size is smaller, the processing time is shorter
The csv file can be opened by more applications than if saved as a specific
spreadsheet file format
Data can be exchanged more easily between different kinds of applications
Data can be exchanged more easily between different computers and
operating systems
It is human readable and easier to edit manually

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Question Answer Marks

10 Six from: 6

Advantages
In real life large numbers of people must be taken off work to act out an
evacuation…
…leading to lack of productivity during that time
There is no risk of stampedes occurring…
…which could result in injuries to the participants
Emergency procedures can be more quickly produced or recreated in a
computer simulation
There is less time wasted on training the people as to what is expected of
them
The number of people involved in a trial may not be representative of a real-
life evacuation

Disadvantages
There may be too many variables…
…to exactly simulate the evacuation
The cost of employing experts to create the simulation may be more
expensive than carrying out a human simulation
The time taken to create the computer simulation is likely to be greater than
with planning a human simulation
It may be difficult to accurately predict which exit doors would be chosen by
individuals

At least one of each required to obtain full marks

Must be a proper evaluation to obtain full marks
Max. five marks if bullets/list of points
Must have expansions or comparisons to be a proper evaluation

Question Answer Marks

11 Six from: 6

Normalisation involves breaking down a flat file/table so there is less

redundancy …
…more tables
The stages in the breaking down process are referred to as normal forms
such as 0NF, 1NF, 2NF and 3NF

2NF characteristics
The database has the characteristics of 1NF
Related data has been separated into different tables
Each table has a primary key
The fields in each table are dependent on the primary key

3NF characteristics
The database has the characteristics of 2 NF
The database has no non-key dependencies/attributes

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Question Answer Marks

12 Five from: 5

MIS is a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools to

organise, evaluate and efficiently manage departments within an
organisation
It provides past, present and prediction information
It includes software that helps in decision making
It includes (many data resources such as) databases (plural)
It includes the hardware resources of a system
It includes decision support systems, people management and project
management applications

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