Cambridge IGCSE · 0478 · Paper 1 · Computer systems
Computer Science 0478/12 Feb/March 2021 past paper
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Paper 1 (Computer systems), variant 2, Feb/March 2021: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 8 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.
- Questions
- 8
- Marks
- 75
- Grade A from
- 40
File names: 0478_m21_qp_12 · 0478_m21_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 0478/12 Feb/March 2021
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 32 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 6 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 0478/12 Feb/March 2021 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
| Chapter | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Data Transmission | 2 | 22 |
| Software | 2 | 21 |
| Hardware | 2 | 14 |
| The Internet and its Uses | 1 | 10 |
| Boolean Logic | 1 | 8 |
Questions in 0478/12 Feb/March 2021
- Question 1
A hockey club records the number of people that watch each match. An 8-bit binary register is used to store this value. (a) 46 people watch the first match and 171 people watch the second match. Show how the registers …
- Question 2
Gurdeep takes high definition photographs using a digital camera. She has set up a website where users can view thumbnails of her photographs. A thumbnail is a small version of the high definition photograph. (a) Gurdeep compresses the high definition …
- Question 3
The given table shows the name or description of four devices. The table is incomplete. Complete the missing device names and descriptions. Device name Description Uses either thermal bubble or piezoelectric technology Actuator Uses thousands of tiny mirrors that can …
- Question 4
A supermarket sells many products. Each product has a barcode. (a) Explain how the barcode is read at the supermarket checkout and how the price of the product is found. (b) The supermarket stores data using a Solid State Drive …
- Question 5
Computers use logic gates. (a) State the single logic gate that produces each truth table. Truth table Logic gate A B Output …
- Question 6
Hacking is one type of Internet risk used to obtain personal data that is stored on a computer. (a) Explain how a firewall can help prevent hacking. (b) Identify and describe two other types of internet risk that are used …
- Question 7
Adeel has used a high-level language to program a mobile application. (a) Describe what is meant by a high-level language. (b) Adeel uses an interpreter while developing and testing the application. Adeel uses a compiler when the application is ready …
- Question 8
The Von Neumann model, for a computer system, uses the stored program concept. (a) Describe what is meant by the stored program concept. (b) The fetch-execute cycle of a Von Neumann model, for a computer system, uses registers and buses. …