Cambridge IGCSE · 0478 · Paper 1 · Computer systems
Computer Science 0478/12 Feb/March 2017 past paper
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Paper 1 (Computer systems), variant 2, Feb/March 2017: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 14 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.
- Questions
- 14
- Marks
- 75
- Grade A from
- 53
File names: 0478_m17_qp_12 · 0478_m17_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 0478/12 Feb/March 2017
The minimum raw marks Cambridge set for each grade on this component (out of 75). Thresholds change every session and variant, so always compare your score with the paper you actually sat.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 45 | 37 | 32 | 28 | 24 | 20 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 0478/12 Feb/March 2017 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
| Chapter | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | 4 | 24 |
| Data Representation | 4 | 24 |
| Software | 2 | 10 |
| The Internet and its Uses | 2 | 7 |
| Data Transmission | 1 | 6 |
| Boolean Logic | 1 | 4 |
Questions in 0478/12 Feb/March 2017
- Question 1
Name three different sensors. Sensor 1 Sensor 2 Sensor 3
- Question 2
The diagram below shows five logic gate symbols and five names. Draw a line between each logic gate symbol and its correct name. AND Logic Gate Symbol Name NOT NOR XOR NAND
- Question 3
A company has a number of offices on one site. Data are transmitted, using a wired network, from one office and stored at another office. (a) State, with reasons, which data transmission, serial or parallel, should be used. Type Reasons …
- Question 4
A simple symmetric encryption system is used to encrypt messages. Each letter of the alphabet is substituted by another letter. Plain text …
- Question 5
Give the meaning of the following terms. HTML http https
- Question 6
The diagram shows five operating system functions and five descriptions. Draw a line between each operating system function and its description. Function Description Interrupt Many processes appear to run simultaneously Utility Data are temporarily held in a buffer waiting for …
- Question 7
A high definition video and a large text file are to be sent as email attachments. Both files are compressed before sending. Each file is compressed using a different type of data compression algorithm. Explain, with reasons, which type of …
- Question 8
A register in a computer contains binary digits. …
- Question 9
Passwords are used to keep data safe. Explain the differences between a text-based password and a biometric password.
- Question 10
Describe the differences between a barcode and a Quick Response (QR) code.
- Question 11
Three programmers are working on different projects: • Alice is developing a program written in a low-level language • Akbar is developing a program written in a high-level language • Alex is preparing a program written in a high-level language …
- Question 12
(a) Identify three uses for hexadecimal and for each one give an example of hexadecimal that matches the use. Use 1 Example Use 2 Example Use 3 Example (b) Explain why hexadecimal is used to represent binary numbers.
- Question 13
(a) Explain what is meant by primary, secondary and off-line storage. Give an example of each. Primary storage Example Secondary storage Example Off-line storage Example (b) A set of photographs has been taken for a wedding. All the guests are …
- Question 14
A system controls the flow of vehicles through a barrier based on three lights, A, B and C. When a light is red, the signal is zero. When a light is green, the signal is one. The barrier will open …