The systems life cycle — IGCSE Information And Communication Technology (0417) questions by topic
Systems life cycle questions in IGCSE ICT test how well you can walk through analysis, design, development and evaluation stages for a real scenario, from spotting flaws in a current mark book or library database to identifying two methods of analysing an existing system. Expect state, describe and explain to ask for named stages or reasons, while identify and compare push you to distinguish similar-sounding steps such as testing methods or implementation approaches.
This page holds 27 real questions drawn from 2023 to 2025 papers, worth from 1 up to 18 marks. Because life-cycle answers are marked on precise terminology rather than general IT knowledge, submitting each response for instant marking shows quickly where a description drifted into vague computing chat instead of naming the actual stage or method the mark scheme wanted.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Computer software needs to be tested with normal, extreme and abnormal data before it can be implemented. Explain what is meant by extreme test data.
Answer this question and get it marked →State the method of implementation from the following description. The old system and the new system run together until the whole of the new system is implemented.
Answer this question and get it marked →During the analysis of a current system, research needs to be carried out. Describe the characteristics of the following research method. Observation
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
A computer system needs to be tested before it can be implemented. State why the following element needs to be tested. File structure
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
A software developer is producing a new app. The app will need to be tested before it is implemented. State why the following elements need to be tested. Data structure
Answer this question and get it marked →Following the development and testing of a new computer program, user documentation is produced. Explain why user documentation is needed.
Answer this question and get it marked →A programmer has created a database for Tawara International Stores. One of the fields is Countryname which stores data as a three-letter code. For example, NZL is the code for…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
A company is designing a new computer system. After the system has been created and tested, it will be implemented. Compare parallel running and direct changeover. Your answer…
Answer this question and get it marked →A new patient is attending a medical centre. He completes a form with his details and gives this to the secretary who enters the details into a database. The secretary carefully…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
A company with many branches is implementing a new system. The manager is planning to implement the new system either by pilot changeover or parallel running. Contrast pilot…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
Parallel running can be used as a strategy to implement new systems. Describe what is meant by parallel running.
Answer this question and get it marked →A shopkeeper sells fruit and has created a table containing the name of the fruit, its bar code number and an image of the bar code. Part of the table is shown in Fig. 13.1. Type…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
A company is planning a new computer system. The current system needs to be analysed. Identify two methods of analysing the current system.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Analysis includes identifying the hardware and software requirements of a new system. Describe other tasks involved in analysis.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
The manager of a plant nursery has asked a systems analyst to create a new database system to store information about his plants. This new database system needs to store the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
A systems analyst has been asked to carry out an analysis of a company's current computer system. State three methods of analysing the current system.
Answer this question and get it marked →Identify the most appropriate method for reducing data entry errors from the descriptions given. Manually checking the data without reference to the original copy.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
A book contains a bar code whose number is 503619309903. Tick (✓) the most appropriate validation check to test the validity of the bar code. A check digit B format check C range…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student is creating a spreadsheet that includes a formula to check a number entered in a cell is between two values. - The number is entered in cell A10 as an integer. - If the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
A book has an ISBN which is 0 330 24720 4. Tick (✓) the most appropriate validation check to test the validity of the ISBN. A character check B format check C length check D range…
Answer this question and get it marked →A teacher is creating a spreadsheet as an electronic mark book. Part of the electronic mark book displays how well a student did on a piece of work. When a student completes a…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
A teacher has set up a database for a class library. The data about the books in the class library will be entered by the teacher. The data can be verified by double data entry or…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
A teacher is creating a database for a class library. The teacher types the details of each book into the database. Records entered include: Booknumber, Nameofbook, Publisher,…
Answer this question and get it marked →A hospital administrator enters data from medical forms into a database. Validation and verification are both used when entering data to minimise errors. Explain what is meant by…
Answer this question and get it marked →The manager of the Tawara Hotel has decided to computerise the hotel's room booking system. The new booking system will allow customers to book rooms online using an app on their…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Peter needs to create a validation check for product numbers. Three examples of product numbers he needs to check are: 977135120127916, 976143148163921, 845132120651166. Identify…
Answer this question and get it marked →A school has employed a systems analyst to help update its computerised examination system. The systems analyst researches the current system to see what will be required in the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Information And Communication Technology topics
- ICT applications (40)
- Document production (35)
- Types and components of computer systems (26)
- Safety and security (22)
- Data manipulation (databases) (20)
- Spreadsheets (17)
- Presentations (15)
- Website authoring (15)
- The effects of using IT (health and safety) (14)
- Storage devices and media (12)
- Input and output devices (11)
- Networks (10)
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