Data transmission — IGCSE Computer Science (0478) questions by topic
Expect data transmission questions to move between short recall, such as giving one reason an error occurs during transmission, and applied explanation, such as comparing serial and parallel transmission for sending photographs, or annotating a packet-switching diagram showing routers between two devices. Give, identify, explain, describe and complete are the command words, with complete meaning the diagram itself must be correctly annotated, not just labelled.
21 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers sit on this page, worth 4 to 20 marks. Because these answers hinge on precise technical distinctions, such as an IPv4 address versus a dynamic IP address, submitting your explanations for instant marking flags where two related concepts have been mixed together rather than kept separate.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is describing both positive and negative methods together rather than separately, and giving IP address as the most common incorrect answer where a different term was needed.
- Examiners also flag stating that cloud-stored photos could be hacked, which is not a disadvantage specific to the cloud since local storage carries the same risk, and giving characteristics of an IP address in general rather than the specific characteristics of an IPv4 address.
- A further common mistake is not referring accurately to the reordering process in packet switching, and giving serial simplex as the most common incorrect answer.
- Strong answers most commonly gave interference as a correct reason for a transmission error, and most correctly identified the echo check as the method used.
- Reports praise candidates who accurately described serial transmission, noting that data transmission methods continue to be a strong point overall.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
A restaurant has an electronic ordering system. The system allows customers to select the food they want to order. The data for the order is transmitted across their network to a…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
Data is sent from an employee's computer to a server. The data is correct when it is sent, but an error is detected when the data is received. Describe how an error can occur in…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
Data packets are transmitted across a network from one computer to another computer. Describe the structure of a data packet.
Answer this question and get it marked →A company owner has installed a new network. Data is correct before it is transmitted across the network. The company owner is concerned that data might have errors after…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Data can be transmitted from one device to another. Tick (✓) one box to show which of the terms is not a method for transmitting data. [ ] A serial [ ] B simplex [ ] C parallel […
Answer this question and get it marked →The table contains statements about error detection methods. Complete the table by giving the correct error detection method for each statement. error detection method statement…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer has both a media access control (MAC) address and an internet protocol (IP) address. Tick (✓) one box to show which of the statements is correct about the MAC address.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
A company has a network that includes a web server. Data is transmitted across the network using serial half-duplex data transmission. Draw and annotate a diagram to show how the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
A company decides to create a network for its devices. All the company devices are within a single room. The employees will need to use their devices to send data to each other…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
A barcode scanning system uses a check digit to check for errors in data on input. Explain how the barcode scanning system operates to check for errors.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
A user wants to connect their computer to a network. Identify the component in the computer that is needed to access a network.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
A student uses a mobile phone to take photographs for a school project. The student needs to transmit the photographs to their computer. They could use serial data transmission or…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer is connected to a network and assigned an IPv4 address. Tick (✓) one box to show which device would assign the IPv4 address to the computer. [ ] A Domain name server…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Five network terms or definitions are given in the table. Complete the table by giving the missing term or definition. Term Definition ------ ------------ router ........ ........…
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete and annotate the diagram to demonstrate how packet switching is used to transmit data across a network, including the use of routers, from Device A to Device B. The…
Answer this question and get it marked →A device can be given an internet protocol (IP) address. This can be an IPv4 or IPv6. Give one similarity between IPv4 and IPv6.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Data is transmitted between a computer and a printer. The data is transmitted one bit at a time down a single wire. The computer can transmit data to the printer and the printer…
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete the statements about data packets and packet switching. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You should only use a term once.…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
The table contains descriptions about data transmission methods. Complete the table by identifying which data transmission methods are described. Data transmission method…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Errors can occur when data is transmitted. Give one reason an error may occur when data is transmitted.
Answer this question and get it marked →Draw and annotate a diagram to represent the role of a router.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Computer Science topics
- Hardware (108)
- Algorithm design and problem-solving (43)
- Data representation (26)
- The internet and its uses (23)
- Boolean logic (19)
- Databases (16)
- Automated and emerging technologies (13)
- Software (12)
- Programming (11)