Cambridge IGCSE™

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 0417/12

Paper 1 Theory October/November 2024
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 80

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 October/November 2024 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 8 printed pages.

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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
descriptions 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 Two from: 2
Serial numbers
Product keys
Unique keys supplied with the original copy
Holograms to identify legitimate copies
Licensing agreements

Question Answer Marks

2(a) List of contacts to send the same email to a number of people 1

2(b) Copy of email sent to other recipients at same time as original is sent 1
so all recipients can see who received the email

2(c) Stored list of email addresses 1

2(d) One from: 1

Copy of email sent to other recipient(s) at same time as original is sent
without recipients knowing

Question Answer Marks

3(a) Two from: 2

Portable document format
The document has been converted into an image format
Can be read by most computers/applications/apps
Hard to edit therefore it can be used to protect the file from change

3(b) Two from: 2

Rich text format
A file type that saves some of the formatting within the text
Readable by most text editors

3(c) Two from: 2

Cascading style sheet
Attached to one or more web pages
Written in HTML
Defines how the web pages look
Part of the presentation layer

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Question Answer Marks

4(a) Similarities 4
Max three from:
Both are attached/connected to a computer
Both use digital signals
Both handle data
Both communicate with both the user and the computer

Differences
Max three from:
An input device sends data to a computer
Input devices are controlled by the user

An output device receives data from the computer

An output device displays data/plays sound
Output devices are controlled by the computer

4(b) Three from: 3

Keyboard
Numeric keypad
Scanner
Camera
Microphone
Sensor
Light pen
Mouse

4(c) Three from: 3

Monitors
Multimedia projector
Printer
Plotter
Speaker
Actuator

Question Answer Marks

5(a) Max three from: 4

ROM is non-volatile memory
ROM is permanent memory
ROM is read only

Max three from:

RAM is volatile memory
RAM stores data temporarily
RAM can be static or dynamic
RAM needs power to keep the data refreshed
RAM has a larger memory capacity than ROM
RAM can be written to and read from

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Question Answer Marks

5(b) Four from: 4

Non-volatile
Permanent storage
Storage devices have slow access rates
Large storage
Can be removable storage
Secondary storage
Can be written to and rad from

Question Answer Marks

6 Benefits 6
Max five from:
Allows hands free control
Speeds up the entry of data
Distraction free interface
Simpler system for the driver
Less errors made on data entry

Drawbacks
Max five from:
Background noise can affect the data entry
Less features than other interfaces
Issues with accents/understanding commands
The user needs to be trained with the system
Commands need to be spoken clearly
Commands may have to be learnt
May have a limited number of commands

Question Answer Marks

7(a) Processing 3
Max two from:
The inference engine searches/matches the user’s answers
The knowledge base is searched using the rules base

Outputs
Max two from:
Diagnoses/probabilities of the solution/results are produced
Explanation of how the solution was found is displayed
The question is displayed on the screen

7(b) Three from: 3

Strategy games
Financial advice
Tax systems
Careers
Route scheduling for delivery vehicles
Diagnostic systems
Identification system
Prospecting systems

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Question Answer Marks

8 Advantages 6
Max five from:
Larger screen therefore data is easier to see the written content
Larger screen so less strain on the eyes
Larger screen allows many users to view the screen at the same time
Larger onscreen keyboard making data entry easier
Larger onscreen keyboard means less typing errors
Larger onscreen keyboard means faster data entry
Higher memory storage allows for faster processing
More ports to attach devices therefore is expandable

Disadvantages
Max five from:
A smartphone can be used with one hand
A phablet computer has a larger footprint
A smartphone is more portable
Larger in size than a smartphone making it more cumbersome (1)

Question Answer Marks

9(a) Two from: 2

Storing computer addresses
Routing data packets

9(b) Four from: 4

A router connects to a modem using an Ethernet cable
Receives data packets from the internet/other devices
Transmits data packets to the internet/other devices
The data packet contains an IP address
The router reads the data packet
The router reads the destination IP address
The router stores IP addresses in its routing table
Checks/searches for the IP address in its routing table
Finds the best path for each packet to reach its destination uses routing table
The router will use the IP address to work out the best route
If it cannot find the best route it uses the default one
Uses an IP address with each of the devices on the network
The router sends/forwards the packet to the next router
The data packet continues being sent to subsequent routers until it reaches
the destination router
Manages data flow

Question Answer Marks

10(a) Four from: 4

A piece of software/data
Authorises access to a network
The token is sent to the user after they log in
It sends a single-use code this token is active for a short period of time
Provides an extra security layer

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Question Answer Marks

10(b)(i) Three from: 3

Protects the computer against computer viruses
The AV has a database of known viruses
Identifies a virus with those stored in its database
Prevents malicious script from running
Alerts the user that a virus is found
It is a security method
Removes/quarantines viruses

10(b)(ii) Three from: 3

Protects against malware/malicious software
Detects more advanced forms of malware
Uses heuristic-based detection
Finds source codes that indicate a threat
It is a security method
Warns of the threat if it identifies malware
Contains a database of code
Removes the malware

Question Answer Marks

11(a) Four from: 4

Can use embedded multimedia
Can auto change of pages
Can be used in other documents
Sections of the newsletter can be hyperlinked
More up-to-date as edited versions can be uploaded quicky
Readers can interact with the ePublication
The system can read the ePublication to the user

11(b) Two from, for example: 2

Journals
Company reports
Digital catalogues/brochures
eBooks
Scrapbooks/articles
Electronic magazines

Question Answer Marks

12(a) Four from: 4

Collecting data about the current system
Establishing the problem that the customer needs solving
Identifying the inputs, processing, outputs of the current system Producing a
cost-benefit analysis
Finding the problems with the current system
Identifying the user requirements of the new system

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Question Answer Marks

12(b) Three from: 3

This describes the configuration for the system
Used in the production of the system specification document
It is a mutual agreement of what the client wants and what the developer can
offer
States the performance requirements of the system
Specifies the security requirements of system
Specifies overall functions of the system i.e. what it is to be used for

12(c) Three from: 3

Field length
Field name
Data type
Primary key
Foreign key

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