Cambridge International AS & A Level

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/32

Paper 3 Advanced Theory May/June 2022
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 70

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2022 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.

This document consists of 10 printed pages.

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9626/32 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2022
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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:
 the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
 the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
 the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:
 marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
 marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
 marks are not deducted for errors
 marks are not deducted for omissions
 answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

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Question Answer Marks

1(a) Two from: 2

An app running on (a mobile device/smartphone)

Stores debit/credit card information/digital currency/electronic money
Allows payment for goods/services (digitally)
Enables/allows contactless payments/uses NFC technology.

1(b) Four from: 4

User downloads/installs app (from (finance) provider)

User registers with (finance) provider on/via app
User inputs phone number
Provider sends user a verification code via SMS/text message
User authenticates number when receiving verification code
User inputs debit/credit card information/data/payment details/adds account details
Allows linking to bank account
User validates/authenticates payment details.

Question Answer Marks

2(a) Two from: 2

Reduction in file size/to reduce the file size…

to make it fit in available/take up less space on storage device
(Reduction in file size) to allow transmission in email
(Reduction in file size) to allow faster download to webpage/loading of webpages
Reduction in image resolution for display on small screen/mobile devices
Glitch art can make use of compression artefacts to alter images/JPEGs for artistic displays/picture style.

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Question Answer Marks

2(b) Six from: 6

Loss of image data has a visible effect on quality of image/image quality is reduced
Compression artefacts are produced during process of compression/by compression algorithm
Compression artefacts can be visible/noticeable and detract from/reduce image quality
Sudden changes in colour/brightness/contrast in an image can cause rings/bands/ghosts can appear near the edges
Conversion of a gradation in tone by loss of data into fewer tones causes blocking/posterisation/checker-boarding to occur
False edges may be created/(false) contouring due to reduction of grey levels/reduction to less than 16 grey levels in
image so more edges appear to viewer
Loss of data in curves/combining curve data/pixels during compression can lead to the curve appearing stepped/stair-
cased and not as a smooth curve
(Degradation in quality due to) changes/reduction colour depth/saturation/hue
Reduction in resolution
Compression algorithms can mistake text in images and change the meaning e.g. 6 mistaken for 8.

Question Answer Marks

3(a) Two from: 2

Correcting a problem/issue in the system

After the system has already broken down/failed/not working properly
Restoring the functioning/operability of the system by replacing components/adjusting code.

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Question Answer Marks

3(b) Three from: 3

Diagnosing the problem (by testing the systems modules/components)

Ask users for/gather information about the error/problem
Identifying the problem/error/fault in the system
Removing the faulty component/isolating the faulty code/module
Replacing the faulty component with a new one (and testing it)
Updating/amending the faulty/problematic software code/module
Check for and removing viruses/malware/uninstalling harmful programs
Reformatting storage devices and perform a system restore
Refer to technical documentation.
Take notes/make a report for reference
Retest the system at end of process.

Question Answer Marks

4(a) Two from: 2

(Provides OK (button)) to indicate acceptance/verified by the user of choice

(Provides Cancel (button)) to indicate rejection by the user of choice
Provides a message specified by programmer to explain the choices available/question asked by programmer
Provides (in some browsers) a Close (X) (button) on the top right of the box which may act as a cancel button.

4(b) Three from: 3

User is forced to look at/interpret/read the message/attention drawn away from main web page display causing user to lose
concentration on page content
Input focus is taken away from the web site/pages until box is closed so no other user interaction is possible/creates a
modal window
Other codes may stop running/functioning until the dialogue box is closed causing errors/interruptions to web page/code/
user interactions
Position of dialog box cannot be controlled by programmer so may block information on page
Some browsers may not (properly) support all of the elements of the dialogue box so some actions may not be possible.

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Question Answer Marks

4(c) Three from: 3

Return value will be stored in a declared variable

Return value is Boolean/either-or/one of two values
If user clicks/chooses OK then TRUE is returned to the variable
If user clicks cancel/close then FALSE is returned to the variable
Result in variable can be used to display appropriate message depending on choice by user.

Question Answer Marks

5(a) Six from: 6

Supports the transport of data at high speeds through networks

Is a connectionless service so each data packet passing through the network contains address information
Allows use of virtual circuits which can appear permanent to users
Allows multiplexing of virtual circuits to share network load/bandwidth
Can only detect errors at the data link layer so there is no flow control/error control
Faulty/damaged frames are dropped and there is no request for retransmission
Supports variable frame sizes/data packets to accommodate different data requirements
Operates at physical and data link layers so can be used for internet/broadband/ISDN connections
There is no error control so it requires a reliable medium for transmission.

5(b) Three from: 3

Frames are delivered unreliably so have to be retransmitted if sender is aware of need/sender responsibility to resend
Frames/data may go missing as there is no acknowledgement of received packets
Packets may not be delivered in the same sequence as when sent
No flow control so cannot stop data transmission when network is congested so data can be lost
Frames are discarded when the network is congested
Frame/data is lost if retransmission of this frame does not occur.

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Question Answer Marks

6 Discuss: write about issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way. 6

Max 1 for good description of parallel running method of implementation

Six from:

Benefits:
Can compare results from existing hardware/software/system
…to ensure that there are no errors
Can refer to/use existing hardware/software/system for reference if errors occur
…so that the errors can be rectified
Existing hardware/software/system can be used while errors/problems in new are rectified
…so that production is not stopped/can continue
Staff can be trained on new hardware/software/system while referring to existing hardware/software/system
…so that staff confidence can be maintained/improved

Drawbacks:
Costs of parallel running can be high as two sets of hardware/software/system have to be run at the same time
…requiring more power use/staff to run both sets of hardware/software/system
Staff may need to do twice normal workload to run two sets of hardware/software/system
…so production may slow down
Maintenance time/effort is increased as there is two sets of hardware/software/system
…this may slow production/increase costs
Requirement to input data/instructions twice which increases data entry costs/production costs/slows production time
Need to ensure accurate input of same data to ensure comparable results from both sets of hardware/software/system.

Must have at least one of each for full marks.

Must be a proper discussion for full marks.
Max 4 marks if bullets/list of points.

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Question Answer Marks

7 Eight from: 8

Discuss: write about issues(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way.

Positive Impacts:
Training is more accessible to students/learners as can be used when and where convenient to student/available at
anytime
Delivery of small amounts of information in a step-by-step manner prompts students/learners to respond to a lesson at
intervals/take brief tests regularly
Provides students/learners with regular/instant/quicker feedback on their responses/overall progress increasing
engagement and achievement/retention of knowledge/skills
Allows students/learners to take courses at their own pace without need for/pressure to keep up with/wait for peers
Sets learning prerequisites for moving on to/in readiness for the next lesson/section/topic
Can track progress more accurately/can set individual targets
Course information is easily/readily available/retrievable for later reference

Negative impacts:
Reduced human interaction with teachers/instructors so discussion is more difficult
Reduced human interaction with fellow students/learners so reduced groupwork/discussions/assistance
Teachers/instructors may not always be available when students require assistance
Students/learners with low motivation will fall behind in their studies
Without per/class discussions some students will be confused/not understand fully
Slow /poor internet connections/older computing devices/power fluctuations may not allow easy access to course materials

Must be at least two of each for full marks.

Must be a proper discussion for full marks.
Max 6 marks if bullets/list of points.

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Question Answer Marks

8 Four from: 4

Mail server provides email services to email client

Email client sends request to server
Server sends a response to email client
Email client/app/reader/mail user agent/mail transfer agent/web mail logs into mail server
Rules and language for requests/responses are determined by protocols/SMTP/IMAP/POP3
Messages are transferred between client and server/emails stored on server.

Question Answer Marks

9 Analyse: examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them. 8

Max two from:

Method of scheduling tasks in a project

Used to determine longest path/route through a project/how quickly a project can be completed

Eight from:

Reduces the risk of delays by involving all managers in details of planning so all are aware of the overall project details
Allows resources required for each activity to be made available at the appropriate time which reduces costs
Task/activities can be scheduled in parallel/simultaneously to reduce overall duration of project
Determines/shows the dependencies of the activities/tasks…
…so focus can be on the critical ones to improve chances of project success/activities that are required before others can
start can be prioritised
Use of ‘floats’ in timings can accommodate/allow for unexpected delays/minimise effect of unexpected external factors
Complex activities/tasks are difficult to represent on a network diagram/diagram becomes very large and difficult to
comprehend easily
Charts/diagrams for large projects may be difficult to access easily away from office computers/on mobile devices
External factors may change so the critical path analysis has to be redone/amended/may no longer apply
Relies on estimates of task/activity duration so whole process can be invalid if estimates are wrong/inaccurate
Resource details are limited so other methods of charting resources need to be used.

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Question Answer Marks

10(a) Four from: 4

Gathering the data required for the phase

Documenting/describing the data e.g. location of source/how acquired
Listing the source of the data that has been gathered
Populate the analysis tool/software with the data
Reviewing/exploring the data to check for e.g. completeness/anomalies/outliers
(Visually) checking the data for patterns/trends/groupings within the data set(s)
Verifying the quality of the data that has been gathered.

10(b) Three from: 4

Planning how the data mining results will be used/reported

Creating a plan to monitor/maintain the model to ensure it remains valid/useful
Applying the data model/process to new data to generate predictions/trends/analysis as required by business
Reporting the final results of the data mining process
Reviewing the final results of the data mining process to check for errors and how to correct them.

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