Cambridge IGCSE · 0478 · Paper 1 · Computer systems
Computer Science 0478/12 Feb/March 2024 past paper
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Paper 1 (Computer systems), variant 2, Feb/March 2024: 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
- 45
File names: 0478_m24_qp_12 · 0478_m24_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 0478/12 Feb/March 2024
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 34 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 7 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 0478/12 Feb/March 2024 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
| Chapter | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Data Transmission | 3 | 32 |
| Hardware | 1 | 13 |
| Software | 1 | 10 |
| Boolean Logic | 1 | 8 |
| Data Representation | 1 | 7 |
| The Internet and its Uses | 1 | 5 |
Questions in 0478/12 Feb/March 2024
- Question 1
Computers represent different types of data in binary. (a) Tick (✓) one box to show the reason why computers use binary to represent data. A Computers only allow 1s and 0s to be entered. B Computers are made of switches …
- Question 2
A computer has a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU includes the registers: • Program counter (PC) • Memory address register (MAR) • Memory data register (MDR) • Accumulator (ACC) • Current instruction register (CIR). (a) The table contains five …
- Question 3
A computer has an operating system (OS). (a) Complete the table by writing each missing OS function name and description. Function name Description managing memory allows application software to run on the computer managing peripherals (b) The OS handles interrupts. …
- Question 4
A student enters a uniform resource locator (URL) into their web browser. Draw and annotate a diagram to show the process from the user entering the URL to the web browser displaying the web page.
- Question 5
Complete the description of digital currencies using the terms provided. blockchains changed datachains decentralised deleted encryption passport physical address physically records time-stamp traced transaction-chains virtually A digital currency does not exist , it can only be accessed electronically. Some digital …
- Question 6
A self-driving tractor sows seeds and harvests crops for a farmer. The self-driving tractor moves automatically through the field, turning at each end and stopping when it has finished. (a) One reason the self-driving tractor is a robot is because …
- Question 7
Data is transmitted using the internet. (a) The data is encrypted before transmission. (i) State the purpose of encrypting data. (ii) Describe the differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption. (b) The data is transmitted using packet switching. (i) Identify two …
- Question 8
(a) Hexadecimal can be used to represent binary numbers. (i) Convert the denary number 236 into hexadecimal. Working space (ii) Give one benefit of using hexadecimal instead of binary to represent data. (b) Two’s complement can be used to represent …