Software: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 11Structured11 marks

  An optical mouse is connected to a computer using a universal serial bus (USB) cable. State the purpose of the optical mouse.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured16 marks

  A computer game development company are reviewing their current security solutions. The company wants employees to be aware of how they can identify phishing.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured10 marks

  A computer programmer uses assembly language to create a computer program for an embedded system in a washing machine. State what is meant by an embedded system.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured4 marks

  The table contains four descriptions about a computer system. Complete the table by writing the correct term for each description.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 11Structured10 marks

  An integrated development environment (IDE) has two types of translator: a compiler and an interpreter. Give the purpose of the compiler and the interpreter.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured9 marks

  A computer with a Von Neumann architecture has a central processing unit (CPU). Complete the statements about the operation of the CPU.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured10 marks

  An interrupt is a type of signal that is used in a computer. State the name of the type of software that manages interrupts.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 12Structured9 marks

  A programmer uses a low-level language to write a program for a vending machine.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured4 marks

  A programmer uses assembly language to create a program for a coffee machine. Describe what is meant by assembly language.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured3 marks

  Different types of software can be run on a computer. State what is meant by software.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured3 marks

  Malware can be used to corrupt data stored on a computer. Tick (✓) one box to show which cyber security threat is not a type of malware.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 13Structured9 marks

  A student develops a program for their computer science project using a high-level language. Identify two translators that the student could use when developing the program.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks

  A computer system has a mouse. An interrupt is sent to the CPU every time a button on the mouse is clicked. Identify the name of this type of interrupt.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured4 marks

  A computer programmer uses an integrated development environment (IDE) when creating a computer program. Explain the purpose of the IDE.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured8 marks

  A mobile telephone has built-in input and output devices. Give two examples of an input device that would be built into a mobile telephone.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured12 marks

  A computer game is programmed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create the movements and actions of the computer-controlled characters in the game. Describe what is meant by AI.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 11Structured4 marks

  A computer needs firmware and system software to operate. State the purpose of firmware.

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 11Structured4 marks

  Complete the statements about different types of software.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 11Structured7 marks

  A robot is used to move car parts in a factory. One characteristic of the robot is that it has a mechanical structure. Give one other characteristic of a robot.

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 12Structured5 marks

  A student uses both system software and application software on their computer. Give one example of system software.

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• Question 7May/June 2023, paper 11Structured4 marks

  A programmer uses a low-level language to write a computer program for a vending machine.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 11Structured10 marks

  Each employee in a finance company has a computer and an electronic account. Each computer has an operating system. One function of the operating system is to manage memory.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 13Structured9 marks

  A printer runs out of ink and needs a new ink cartridge. An interrupt is sent and a message is generated to notify the user that the ink cartridge is empty. Complete the paragraph about the use of an interrupt in this process.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 12Structured22 marks

  A programmer writes a program to store and sort all the data for the books in her home library. The programmer uses a high-level language to write the program.

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• Question 10May/June 2023, paper 12Structured5 marks

  A user has both system software and application software installed on their computer. Describe the difference between system software and application software.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 13Structured12 marks

  A student records himself singing a song for his music project. The recorded sound is converted to binary to be processed by a computer. Give one input device the student can use to record the song.

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 13Structured6 marks

  A computer has an operating system. One function of the operating system is handling interrupts. Describe the role of the operating system in handling interrupts.

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• Question 11May/June 2023, paper 13Structured5 marks

  Software is installed on a computer to manage files, memory and multitasking. State the name of the software that can do these tasks.

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