The impact of IT — AS & A Level Information Technology (9626) questions by topic
21 questions on the impact of IT ask candidates to discuss, describe, explain, assess and compare how technology reshapes real situations: identity theft and its consequences, stored value cards against credit cards, the digital divide in online shopping, and social media used in a healthcare scenario.
Marks run from 5 to 8, so answers need real development rather than a single defining sentence. These questions come from 2023 and 2024 papers. Because every mark hinges on applying knowledge to the stated context rather than writing generically about technology, submitting drafts for instant marking quickly shows where an answer has drifted into vague, unscenario'd territory.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly note answers that named identity theft correctly but stopped short of adding that the use is unauthorised, brings personal gain to the thief, or causes harm to the victim.
- A recurring criticism is giving generic digital-divide answers rather than applying the point specifically to online shopping or to the stated cause, such as industrialisation.
- Reports mark down vague social media answers such as 'used to contact friends' or 'help keep people healthy' that never engage with the given scenario.
- Strong answers described identity theft's financial fallout in detail, for example victims struggling to correct false information held by credit institutions.
- Candidates who scored well linked social media directly to the scenario, such as governments spreading health awareness or alerting the public to medical emergencies.
May–June 2024, Paper 12
A government is concerned about the digital divide amongst its citizens. Describe how the government could reduce the effects of the digital divide and improve access to its…
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 12
Describe how people in developing countries can be disadvantaged when trying to use online shopping.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 32
Describe how news organisations use social media.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
The digital divide can exist between people in less industrially developed nations and those in more industrially developed nations. Explain why this digital divide exists.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Explain why there can be a digital divide between different socioeconomic groups.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Explain the reasons for the digital divide between the old and the young.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 31
Describe how the use of social media can improve access to Government for individuals and organisations.
Answer this question and get it marked →Prosthetics are artificial devices that are used to replace missing body parts to try to restore normal functions. Describe the impact of Information Technology on the development…
Answer this question and get it marked →Analyse the impact of the introduction of ultra-high definition (UHD) television systems on the lifestyle of individuals.
Answer this question and get it marked →Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to individuals of using blogs to advertise their businesses.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 32
Discuss the impact of the increased use of social media on the health of individuals.
Answer this question and get it marked →The use of digital currencies is increasing. Analyse the risks to an economy of an increase in the use of digital currencies.
Answer this question and get it marked →Computer-assisted translation (CAT) uses software to help humans translate documents from one language into another. Discuss the impact of CAT on scientific research.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 33
Describe how the use of social media can improve access to Government for individuals and organisations.
Answer this question and get it marked →Compare the characteristics of stored value cards and credit cards. You must include similarities and differences.
Answer this question and get it marked →Prosthetics are artificial devices that are used to replace missing body parts to try to restore normal functions. Describe the impact of Information Technology on the development…
Answer this question and get it marked →Analyse the impact of the introduction of ultra-high definition (UHD) television systems on the lifestyle of individuals.
Answer this question and get it marked →Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to individuals of using blogs to advertise their businesses.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
Social media consists of websites and applications that allow users to create content, share content and interact with others. They have specific uses in health care. Describe the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
Social media consists of websites and applications that allow users to create content, share content and interact with others. They have specific uses in health care. Describe the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe what is meant by identity theft.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Information Technology topics
- Spreadsheets (30)
- Software (22)
- Security (21)
- Multimedia (20)
- Data and information (17)
- Databases (16)
- Systems development life cycle (13)
- Networks (10)
- Web authoring (8)
- Programming (8)
- Hardware (7)
- Monitoring and control (7)
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