Software — AS & A Level Information Technology (9626) questions by topic
Software questions worth 3 to 22 marks ask candidates to justify generic file formats for transfers between packages, describe a compiler's role, explain why mail-merge source documents need particular qualities, and describe an operating system's functions beyond security.
Describe, explain, discuss and draw lead the command words across 22 real questions set in 2023 and 2024. Because these answers hinge on naming the right software category and its specific job rather than a neighbouring one, submitting each attempt for instant marking flags immediately when a compiler has been mixed up with a linker or an antivirus tool with a firewall.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly note vague answers such as 'to check the invitations were correct' left unexplained, which earn no credit without saying what checking involved.
- A recurring criticism is confusing anti-virus software with firewalls, and believing linkers translate code rather than compilers.
- Reports flag candidates who described compilers as slow or expensive, or claimed they compile every time a program runs, none of which are accurate.
- A common error is padding answers with superfluous content, such as a full discussion of what 'back-up' means when the question asked something narrower.
- Strong answers explained that software tools cannot check for stylistic, contextual, inaccurate or missing content, and gave technical detail on both lossy and lossless compression's effect on audio quality and file size.
May–June 2024, Paper 04
Task 1(c) — Mail merge letters: Use MMergeTemplate.rtf to create mail merge letters for customers whose Terms are Payment on delivery. Add merge fields and conditional text as…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
Compilers and linkers are types of system software. (a) Describe the role of a compiler.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a dialogue interface rather than a gesture-based interface.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 12
A linker is a type of system software used during the process of translating high level language programs to machine code. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using a linker.
Answer this question and get it marked →Most computer systems have a variety of utility software including anti-virus software. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of anti-virus software.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Explain why a compiler may not be suitable for translating a high level language program for use on different computer systems.
Answer this question and get it marked →Back-up software is a type of utility software. A network manager wants to back up the data stored on a server. Describe, with reasons, the steps the manager takes when setting up…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
A printer driver is a type of device driver. Explain, using a printer driver as an example, what is meant by a device driver and why it is needed.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
One of the functions of an operating system is to maintain the security of a computer system. Describe the other functions of an operating system.
Answer this question and get it marked →Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a gesture-based user interface rather than a graphical user interface to control devices.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 31
Data entry clerks use online forms to enter data into databases. Explain how the use of an online form can make entering data easier for the clerks.
Answer this question and get it marked →A director of a company has many managers to supervise. Monthly meetings are held. Each month, different managers are invited to attend. Mail merge is used to create a standard…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 33
A director of a company has many managers to supervise. Monthly meetings are held. Each month, different managers are invited to attend. Mail merge is used to create a standard…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Companies have the choice of using custom written software or using off-the-shelf software. Explain the differences between custom written software and off-the-shelf software in…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Give brief descriptions of the following types of user interface. (a) command line interface
Answer this question and get it marked →Students often transfer files between different word processing and database packages. Justify the need for generic file formats for the transfer of files between different…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain why the following techniques could be needed when making videos. (a) trimming a video clip
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Irene has produced a document using a word processing package. She has saved it as a text file and also as a separate word processed file. Give four advantages of saving the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Sound editing software has a number of features. Describe what is meant by: (a) fade in and fade out
Answer this question and get it marked →The manager of the payroll department within a company has commissioned a computer programmer to write software to run the payroll. Justify this decision to use custom written…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
A company holds special events for selected customers on various dates throughout the year. Source documents of customer lists are used to create customised invitations by mail…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
A company holds special events for selected customers on various dates throughout the year. Source documents of customer lists are used to create customised invitations by mail…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Information Technology topics
- Spreadsheets (30)
- Security (21)
- The impact of IT (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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