Hardware: past paper questions

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 11Structured4 marksHas a diagram

  Write the logic expressions for the following logic circuit.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured4 marks

  Draw a logic circuit for the logic expression: X = NOT ((A NAND B) XOR (NOT A OR NOT C))

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured16 marks

  A computer system has a dual-core Central Processing Unit (CPU). State the purpose of the system clock and the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured4 marks

  Complete the truth table for the logic expression: $\text{X}=\text{NOT (A NAND B) XOR (NOT B AND (B NOR C))}$

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 12Structured11 marks

  A health monitor attaches to a person’s arm and measures key health information, for example heart rate. The monitor transmits data to the user’s smartphone. The results are analysed by the phone, which displays information to the user about their health.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured7 marks

  The processor uses several registers, including the Accumulator (ACC) and the Current Instruction Register (CIR). Complete the table by describing the role of each register.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured6 marks

  A security system has both a floodlight (very bright light) and an audio alarm. The data from multiple sensors is analysed and used to: • turn on the floodlight • sound the audio alarm.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured7 marks

  Describe the principal operations of a 3D printer.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 12Structured3 marksHas a diagram

  Complete the truth table for the given logic circuit.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured3 marks

  Describe the differences between a monitoring system and a control system.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured4 marks

  Complete the truth table for the logic expression: $$X=(A\text{ XOR }B)\text{ NAND }(A\text{ AND }(B\text{ XOR }C))$$

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured5 marks

  Explain the importance of feedback in a control system.

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured4 marks

  An architect needs a model of a building. Explain how the model will be printed using a 3D printer.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured6 marks

  Embedded systems are used in many electronic devices. Describe the drawbacks of embedded systems.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured6 marks

  A factory makes chocolate bars. The factory uses a conveyor belt that moves the products from one stage of production to the next stage. An automated system counts the number of chocolate bars made at the end of production.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 13Structured10 marks

  A computer is used to record sound. The computer has Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM). Complete the table by naming and describing two other types of ROM.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks

  A restaurant accesses software and stores data using cloud computing. Give two benefits of storing data using cloud computing.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured12 marks

  A student has a computer. The computer is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Complete the table by describing the purpose of each of the given registers.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Write the Boolean expression that corresponds to the following logic circuit.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured4 marksHas a diagram

  Consider the following logic circuit: Write the logic expression for the logic circuit.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured4 marks

  A road bridge has a weight limit and a height limit for vehicles. For example, a vehicle must weigh less than $10000\text{ kg}$ and must have a height of less than $3\text{ m}$. The bridge has a warning system.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured8 marks

  A computer has an Operating System (OS). State one purpose of the Operating System.

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured3 marks

  An automated system opens doors when a person is detected within 2 metres. The system closes the doors when there is no longer a person within 2 metres. Identify whether the automated system is an example of a monitoring system or a control system.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Describe the operation of a 2-input XOR gate.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured4 marks

  Complete the truth table for the logic expression: Y = ((P AND Q) XOR ((NOT Q) OR R)) AND NOT P

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured4 marks

  Complete the truth table for the following logic expression: $$\mathrm{X}=(\mathrm{A}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{B})\mathrm{N}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{D}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{X}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{B})$$

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured6 marks

  A memory buffer uses Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Identify two differences between DRAM and Static RAM (SRAM).

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured11 marks

  A laptop computer has Static RAM (SRAM). A virtual reality headset and a laser printer are connected to the laptop. Explain why Static RAM is used in the laptop instead of Dynamic RAM.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured7 marks

  A network engineer is setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) in an office. The network uses both wired and wireless connectivity. Give three advantages of a wireless network compared to a wired network.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured3 marks

  A car has an automatic braking system. A sensor is used to measure the distance to objects that are in front of the car. The car automatically brakes if an object is too close to the front of the car or the distance between the car and the object is decreasing too quickly.

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