Hardware — IGCSE Computer Science (0478) questions by topic
Hardware and programming basics blend in this topic: completing a table of secondary storage types, writing pseudocode with a CASE statement, identifying a pseudocode selection statement, and picking out named steps in the development life cycle from a mixed word list. Identify, explain, write, give and state are the command words, with explain wanting a reasoned distinction rather than a bare fact.
With 108 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, this is the largest topic in the syllabus, carrying marks from 1 to 22. Because pseudocode and hardware terminology are unforgiving of vague wording, submitting each answer for instant marking flags precisely where a description slips into the wrong category, such as confusing primary and secondary storage.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is stating that primary storage is volatile and secondary storage is non-volatile, which is incomplete since primary storage is both, and circling RAM and ROM when secondary storage was asked for.
- Examiners also flag choosing it will be quicker to execute as a common wrong answer, giving an answer that was not a genuine type of translator, and describing where variables would be used rather than the differences between them.
- A further common mistake is confusing the benefits of low-level and high-level languages, sometimes by misreading high-level as meaning more difficult to work with.
- Strong answers gave the correct types of secondary storage, most commonly for optical storage, and most candidates correctly stated what a high-level language is translated into.
- Reports praise candidates who correctly matched life cycle descriptions to their stage and correctly named the sections containing totalling, a count-controlled loop and a post-condition loop.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
A clothes store has a ticket system to allow customers to speak to a personal shopper. The ticket displays a ticket number in hexadecimal, for example 11B. The ticket system has…
Answer this question and get it marked →Data is processed by the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture. Complete the table with the missing terms and definitions about…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
A student has an image file stored on their computer. The image file was taken by a digital camera. Tick one box to show whether a digital camera is an example of an input,…
Answer this question and get it marked →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. One reason for…
Answer this question and get it marked →An employee uses a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture to complete many different tasks in their working day. The computer has a central processing unit (CPU). Complete…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
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…
Answer this question and get it marked →A company employee is editing a video for the company's website. Data is stored in the random access memory (RAM) when the video is edited. The RAM becomes full and pages of data…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer with a Von Neumann architecture has several hardware components. Complete the table with the missing terms and descriptions about computer hardware. Term Description…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
The following pseudocode algorithm uses a count-controlled loop to read in 10 names and store them in the array Names[] FOR Count ← 1 TO 10 OUTPUT "Please enter a name" INPUT Name…
Answer this question and get it marked →A telephone number with 13 characters is input. The first character is a '+', followed by a 2-digit country code, for example: +20xxxxxxxxxx where 20 is the country code and x is…
Answer this question and get it marked →Two library routines used in programming are MOD and DIV. State the purpose of each of the library routines. Give one example pseudocode statement for each of the library…
Answer this question and get it marked →The variables A and B are used in a program. A holds a whole number and B holds text. Write pseudocode statements to declare the variables A and B.
Answer this question and get it marked →The one-dimensional (1D) array CompetitorName[] contains the names of 25 competitors in a tournament that includes five events. Another two-dimensional (2D) array…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
A program is required to allow students to calculate the volume of a number of standard three-dimensional shapes. It will use functions to allow other shapes to be added in the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
The flowchart shows an algorithm used for quality control on a biscuit production line. The weight of each biscuit is entered into the variable Weight. If the weight of the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Three uses of arithmetic operators and four results are shown. Draw one line from each use of arithmetic operator to the correct result. Not all results will be used. Use of…
Answer this question and get it marked →A collector needs a video library system for a collection of videos stored on 4K Blu-ray discs, standard Blu-ray discs, DVD, or as digital downloads. The two-dimensional (2D)…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
A student has a portable tablet computer. Identify two input devices that could be built into the portable tablet computer.
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer uses both random access memory (RAM) and secondary storage. State the purpose of secondary storage.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Instructions are processed by a central processing unit (CPU) in a computer. Complete the paragraph about fetching an instruction into the CPU to be processed. Use the terms from…
Answer this question and get it marked →A company uses both solid-state and optical secondary storage. Explain why a computer needs secondary storage.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
The table contains statements about types of secondary storage. Complete the table by writing the correct type of secondary storage for each statement. type of secondary storage…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer uses both random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). Tick (✓) one box to show which statement is correct about RAM. [ ] A It is non-volatile storage. [ ] B…
Answer this question and get it marked →A sensor is an input device that is used to capture data from its surrounding environment. Circle three other input devices. touch screen hard disk drive (HDD) headphones speaker…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student has a computer that has a central processing unit (CPU). Describe the role of the CPU in the computer.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 21
Four descriptions of programming concepts and five programming concepts are shown. Draw one line to link each description to the most appropriate programming concept. Not all…
Answer this question and get it marked →State what is meant by the data types integer and real. Give an example of each. Integer ........ Example ........ Real ........ Example ........
Answer this question and get it marked →Write the pseudocode statements to perform this task: - accept the input of a whole number from 1 to 4 inclusive - use a CASE statement to: - output the number (1 to 4 inclusive)…
Answer this question and get it marked →Outline why it is useful to store data in a file.
Answer this question and get it marked →The 1D array Clubs[] stores the names of 12 cricket clubs. The 2D array Statistics[] stores, for each club, the number of matches won, drawn and lost. The 1D array Points[] stores…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
Tick (✓) one box to identify a method used to design and construct a solution to a computing problem. [ ] A analysis [ ] B coding [ ] C flowchart [ ] D testing
Answer this question and get it marked →Identify three different tasks in the analysis stage of the program development life cycle.
Answer this question and get it marked →A high-level programming language makes use of arithmetic, Boolean and logical operators. State how each type of operator is used. Give an example statement, in pseudocode, for…
Answer this question and get it marked →Totalling and counting are standard methods of solution. Numbers are input. The number 9999.9 is the last number to be input and is ignored. Write an algorithm in pseudocode to…
Answer this question and get it marked →An algorithm has been written in pseudocode to find and display the maximum and minimum values in an array of 1000 positive numbers. The array List[] starts at index 1. 01 Max ←…
Answer this question and get it marked →A one-player game uses the 2D array Grid[] to store the location of a secret cell to be found by the player in 10 moves. Each row and column has 5 cells. The player starts at the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 23
Describe the characteristics of the string and char data types and give an example of each. String ........ Example ........ Char ........ Example ........
Answer this question and get it marked →The string operation SUBSTRING(FullText, X, Y) returns a string from FullText beginning at position X that is Y characters long. The first character in FullText is in position 1.…
Answer this question and get it marked →A 1D array Teams[] contains the names of 10 football teams in a local league. A 2D array Results[] stores, for each team, the total number of games won, drawn, lost and points.…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
A student has a smartphone. Identify two input devices that can be built into the smartphone.
Answer this question and get it marked →A central processing unit (CPU) performs the fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle. Give the name of two registers that are used in the fetch stage of the cycle.
Answer this question and get it marked →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.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
A student has a smartwatch. The smartwatch has built-in input and output devices. Identify two input devices that can be built into the smartwatch.
Answer this question and get it marked →The table contains names and descriptions of components in a central processing unit (CPU). Complete the table by giving the missing component names and descriptions. Component…
Answer this question and get it marked →A robot vacuum cleaner uses sensors to navigate around obstacles in a room. Tick (✓) one box to show which sensor would be the most suitable for this purpose. [ ] A proximity [ ]…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
An instruction is fetched from random access memory (RAM) into the memory data register (MDR) to be decoded. Identify two other registers that are used in the fetch stage of the…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer programmer uses an integrated development environment (IDE) when creating a computer program. Explain the purpose of the IDE.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 21
Four operators and three types of operator are shown. Draw one or more lines from each operator to its correct operator type. Operators: =, AND, DIV, + Operator types: Boolean,…
Answer this question and get it marked →Identify three stages of the program development life cycle from the following list of words. analysis, decomposition, design, input, pseudocode, testing, variable
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe three methods that are used to design and construct a solution to a problem. Method 1 ........ Method 2 ........ Method 3 ........
Answer this question and get it marked →A running club has 200 members who compete in a 1-kilometre running competition every month. Members' names are stored in the 1D array MemberName[]. Each member's time, in…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Tick (✓) one box to complete this sentence. A solution to a problem may be represented using pseudocode, flowcharts or [ ] A procedures. [ ] B processes. [ ] C structure diagrams.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Tick (✓) one box to complete this sentence. A pseudocode example of a selection statement is [ ] A CALL Sorting(Value1, Value2) [ ] B DECLARE Count : INTEGER [ ] C IF X = 7 THEN Y…
Answer this question and get it marked →Analysis is one stage in the program development life cycle. State one other stage in the program development life cycle.
Answer this question and get it marked →The function LENGTH(X) calculates the length of a string X. Write the pseudocode statements to: - allow a line of text to be input to an appropriate variable - store this line of…
Answer this question and get it marked →A 1D array Rooms[] contains the names of up to 20 rooms in a house. A 2D array Dimensions[] is used to store the length, width and area of each room. The position of any room's…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
Tick (✓) one box to show a method used to construct a solution to a problem. [ ] A abstraction [ ] B structure diagram [ ] C test data [ ] D variable
Answer this question and get it marked →One stage of the program development life cycle is the analysis stage. Identify and describe two other stages of the program development life cycle. Stage ........ Description…
Answer this question and get it marked →Members of a litter picking group complete a litter pick every month. Members' names are stored in the 1D array PickerName[]. Each member stores the weight of the litter they have…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Secondary storage devices are used to store data in a computer. Circle three components that are secondary storage devices. central processing unit (CPU) compact disk (CD) hard…
Answer this question and get it marked →A programmer uses a low-level language to write a computer program for a vending machine. Describe what is meant by a low-level language.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Output devices are used to output data from a computer. Circle three devices that are output devices. actuator digital versatile disk (DVD) keyboard microphone mouse printer…
Answer this question and get it marked →A programmer writes a computer program using a high-level language. Tick (✓) one box to show which statement is correct about writing computer programs in a high-level language. […
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
A library has a self-checkout system that allows customers to register books that they want to borrow. The self-checkout system has a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU has…
Answer this question and get it marked →A programmer writes a computer program in a high-level language. Tick (✓) one box to show which statement is a benefit of writing a program in a high-level language, instead of a…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer has pages A, B and C that are stored in RAM. Page D needs to be sent to the RAM but the RAM is full. Page B is not needed immediately. Explain how virtual memory can be…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
Four descriptions of stages in the program development life cycle are shown. Draw one line to link each description to its most appropriate program development life cycle stage.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Tick (✓) one box to show the name of the data structure used to store a collection of data of the same data type. [ ] A Array [ ] B Constant [ ] C Function [ ] D Variable
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the purpose of the library routines DIV and ROUND DIV ........ ROUND ........
Answer this question and get it marked →State two features that should be included to create a maintainable program. Give a reason why each feature should be used.
Answer this question and get it marked →The function LENGTH(Phrase) calculates the length of a string Phrase. Write the pseudocode statements to: - store the string "The beginning is the most important part" in Phrase -…
Answer this question and get it marked →A one-dimensional (1D) array Days[] contains the names of the days of the week. A two-dimensional (2D) array Readings[] is used to store 24 temperature readings, taken once an…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
Tick (✓) one box to identify the first stage of the program development life cycle. [ ] A Analysis [ ] B Coding [ ] C Design [ ] D Testing
Answer this question and get it marked →Identify three different ways that the design of a solution to a problem can be presented.
Answer this question and get it marked →State three different features of a high-level programming language that a programmer could use to make sure that their program will be easier to understand by another programmer.…
Answer this question and get it marked →An algorithm has been written in pseudocode to calculate a check digit for a four-digit number. The algorithm then outputs the five-digit number including the check digit. The…
Answer this question and get it marked →The variables P and Q are used to store data in a program. P stores a string. Q stores a character. Write pseudocode statements to declare the variables P and Q, store "The world"…
Answer this question and get it marked →A two-dimensional (2D) array Account[] contains account holders' names and passwords for a banking program. A 2D array AccDetails[] has three columns: column one stores the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
Tick (✓) one box to complete the sentence. A constant [ ] A stores a value that can change at any time during the execution of a program. [ ] B stores a value that cannot change…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the purpose of the library routines MOD and RANDOM MOD ........ RANDOM ........
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe what happens when a function is called during the execution of a program.
Answer this question and get it marked →The variable Saying is used to store string data in a program. Write the pseudocode statement to declare the variable Saying.
Answer this question and get it marked →A two-dimensional (2D) array Contacts[] is used to store names and telephone numbers. All the data is stored as strings. The array must have the capacity to store 100 contacts:…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
A student uses a computer and several hardware devices to complete his schoolwork. The computer has a central processing unit (CPU). The student uses a keyboard to complete his…
Answer this question and get it marked →Storage can be described as being magnetic, solid-state or optical. Give two features of magnetic storage.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
A user's computer has a central processing unit (CPU) that has a clock speed of 2 GHz. She wants to change it to a CPU that has a clock speed of 3 GHz. State what is meant by…
Answer this question and get it marked →A washing machine is an example of an embedded system. Give two characteristics of an embedded system.
Answer this question and get it marked →A train station has a ticket inspector who checks each customer's ticket before they are allowed to get on the train. The train station wants a system that will allow the tickets…
Answer this question and get it marked →A manufacturing company uses an automated system in its manufacturing process. The automated system uses a flow sensor. Identify what a flow sensor measures.
Answer this question and get it marked →Storage and memory are important components of a computer system. Primary storage is one type of storage in a computer system. Tick (✓) one box to show which is an example of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
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.
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer has a central processing unit (CPU). Circle three components that are built into the CPU. accumulator (ACC) control unit (CU) graphics card hard disk drive (HDD)…
Answer this question and get it marked →A computer has secondary storage. The table contains statements about secondary storage. Complete the table by writing the type of secondary storage that applies to each…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
Tick (✓) one box to show which operator means less than or equal to. [ ] A OR [ ] B < [ ] C <= [ ] D =
Answer this question and get it marked →Tick (✓) one box to show how a value can be passed to a procedure. [ ] A function [ ] B parameter [ ] C return [ ] D subroutine
Answer this question and get it marked →Four descriptions of data and five data types are shown. Draw one line to link each description to the most appropriate data type. Not all data types will be used. Descriptions: -…
Answer this question and get it marked →Circle the three words representing places where data may be stored. array constant dimension input output procedure variable
Answer this question and get it marked →The first stage of the program development life cycle is analysis. Two of the tasks in analysis are abstraction and decomposition. Describe what is meant by abstraction.
Answer this question and get it marked →Drama students put on a performance of a play for one evening. The theatre has 10 rows of 20 seats. The status of the seat bookings is held in the 2D Boolean array Evening[]. Each…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Four pseudocode statements and five pseudocode uses are shown. Draw one line to link each pseudocode statement to the most appropriate pseudocode use. Not all pseudocode uses will…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how variables and constants should be used when creating and running a program.
Answer this question and get it marked →The string operation SUBSTRING(Quote, Start, Number) returns a string from Quote beginning at position Start that is Number characters long. The first character in Quote is in…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain why a programmer would use procedures and parameters when writing a program.
Answer this question and get it marked →A wood flooring company stores the names of up to 100 customers in a 1D array Customers[]. A 2D array Quotations[] stores details of each customer's quotation: length of room (1…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
Tick (✓) one box to show which library routine returns the remainder of a division. [ ] A DIV [ ] B MOD [ ] C RANDOM [ ] D ROUND
Answer this question and get it marked →Four pseudocode descriptions and five pseudocode keywords are shown. Draw one line to link each pseudocode description to the most appropriate pseudocode keyword. Not all…
Answer this question and get it marked →A program uses both local variables and global variables. Describe two differences between local variables and global variables.
Answer this question and get it marked →A weather station takes temperature readings once an hour for a week. These temperatures are stored in a 2D array Temperatures[]. Each column contains 24 readings for a single day…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Computer Science topics
- Algorithm design and problem-solving (43)
- Data representation (26)
- The internet and its uses (23)
- Data transmission (21)
- Boolean logic (19)
- Databases (16)
- Automated and emerging technologies (13)
- Software (12)
- Programming (11)