AS Predicted Paper

Question 1

Give two examples of encoded data.

Answer 1

Airport codes LHR, LGW, SXF.
Country codes GB, FR, DE. 
Height - tall, medium, small. 
A-Level grades A, B, C. 
Hair colour - black, brown, red, blonde. 
Restaurant review - 5-star to 1-star.

Question 2

What are two advantages of encoding data?

Answer 2

Data is stored in a consistent form, so validation checks can be applied to ensure data is accurate as it is input.
Faster to enter/type in.
Search query is faster.

Question 3

What are two problems with encoding data?

Answer 3

Coding sometimes involves subjective judgements (‘Value judgements’). For example, a restaurant could get a 5-star review, but another reviewer might give it only 2 stars.
Coding sometimes involves loss of information because categories are too coarse. For example, coding hair colour as ‘brown’ would include a wide range of shades from light to dark.

Question 4

Other than accuracy and completeness, describe 4 other characteristics of good quality information. Write 4 terms then explain. Hint: CUTE CAR

Answer 4

(Complete), Up to date, Targeted for the Employee using it, Comprehensible, (Accurate), Relevant

Question 5

What is verification of data? Give an example from a website registration form.

Answer 5

A verification check involves comparing two sources of the same data to ensure they are identical. An example from a website registration form is the need to enter a password twice (double entry).

Question 6

Give an example of manual verification of data.

Answer 6

An employee proof reading data on a computer to ensure it is the same as the original paper source is an example of manual verification.

Question 7

Why are validation and verification checks necessary?

Answer 7

Validation and verification checks are necessary in order to reduce the number of errors that get into a data system. The aim is to reduce the problem of ‘rubbish in, rubbish out’.

Question 8

Do validation and verification checks ensure that data input into a system is perfect?

Answer 8

Validation and verification checks can only ensure that data is sensible and reasonable. Some incorrect data could get through because it meets the validation rules and it has been correctly input from the original source.

Question 9

Give two examples of a transcription input error.

Answer 9

A transcription input error is a human error, for example due to a typing mistake, or misreading of handwriting

Question 10

Name four advantages of ICT vs manual data processing.

Answer 10

Ability to: 
repeat an operation exactly an infinite number of times,
store data on high capacity media, 
process data at high speed, 
process data with great accuracy, 
search data, 
analyse data to make predictions,
outut data in multiple formats,
secure data, for example using encryption

Question 11

What does CAD stand for?

Answer 11

Computer Aided Design

Question 12

What does CAM stand for?

Answer 12

Computer Aided Manufacturing

Question 13

What is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) system?

Answer 13

Use of computers to design physical things, such as buildings, machines, kitchens, products, components - almost anything!

Question 14

What is Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software?

Answer 14

Use of computers to control manufacturing processes and tools, such as lathes, drills, millers and robots.

Question 15

How does CAD relate to CAM?

Answer 15

The outputs of CAD in the form of 3D designs are the inputs to CAM systems that drive machines to produce the physical object or space.

Question 16

Name 3 features of CAD software (ie 3 things you can do when you are using it).

Answer 16

Zoom in to see the design in detail
Convert a 2D drawing to 3D wiredrawing
Rotate the design to see it from all angles
Use rendering (hatching) to try out different surfaces and materials
Shade the design to view different surface effects
Build up the design in individual layers
Walkthrough a design such as a house to see it from the perspective of a person in the location
Work out costings for the design prototype, or the final build.

Question 17

Name 3 advantages of using CAD software.

Answer 17

Digital drawings can be sent to colleagues, so easier to collaborate as a team - even in different countries
You can manipulate images in 3D
You can import pre-drawn 3D objects from software libraries
The design includes a list of components and materials needed to build the object
Stress/strain tests can be run as simulations to check for safety issues (eg bridge design)

Question 18

Name 3 disadvantages of CAD/CAM (why doesn’t every company have this?)

Answer 18

CAD requires a high-specification computer with a lot of processing power, storage, high-resolution screen and 3D mouse.
A designer using CAD has had a lot of training and so their wages will be high.
CAM drives precision manufacturing machines, which are expensive (although the costs are falling).

Question 19

What processes are involved in Just in Time stock control?

Answer 19

Barcodes on the products are matched with the stock database.
Product that was sold is deducted from JiT database - stock decreases by 1
Current stock is checked against stock orders.
If below level, an automatic request is sent to the supplier, or distribution centre.
New stock is delivered (barcodes are on packaging, or added by retailer)
Stock database is updated.

Question 20

State two advantages of using barcodes for entering product data.

Answer 20

Using a scanner to read barcodes is faster than typing in product codes by hand.
A barcode scanner is more accurate (less prone to scanning errors) than manual typing.
Low printing costs - it is inexpensive to print barcodes onto product packaging.

Question 21

State a disadvantage of using barcodes for entering product data.

Answer 21

A basic retail barcode only holds data in the form of numbers.
Laser scanners in supermarkets are expensive.

Question 22

What is a loyalty card?

Answer 22

The card identifies the holder as a member of the retailer’s rewards scheme. The customer is encouraged to spend more in order to receive discounts.

Question 23

What are the advantages of a loyalty card scheme for retailers?

Answer 23

Advantages of loyalty cards for retailers include:
Increases the amount customers spend
Builds a profile of typical customers through their buying habits
Offer discounts in partnership with other companies, for example hotels.
Measure the results of special offer campaigns
Encourage customers to buy their more profitable items rather than their low-margin products.

Question 24

What does CAL stand for?

Answer 24

CAL = Computer Assisted Learning (using online tools such as Quizlet and Google Classroom)

Question 25

Define CAL

Answer 25

CAL means using a computer for interactive learning.

Question 26

Name three common features of a CAL software package

Answer 26

Tests, games, tutorials, drills, simulations, chat rooms, videos, multi-media, interactive materials, revision materials.

Question 27

What is ‘gamification’?

Answer 27

Gamification means using computer games to make learning more fun and engaging for students. Kahoot! is an example.

Question 28

Name three advantages of CAL.

Answer 28

Study at flexible times and locations
Study at own pace
Repeat sections if needed
Interactive and professional design
Accessible design for students with different needs
Track learner progress & preferences
Gamification is engaging for students

Question 29

Name three disadvantages of CAL.

Answer 29

Lack of face-to-face collaboration
Lack of peer support 
Lack of social interaction
Students need encouragement to keep studying
Learners might have to pay for courses
Students need self-discipline

Question 30

Define a template in a word processing application.

Answer 30

A template pre-specifies design elements such as fonts, font size, page layout, formatting, use of images etc. A word-processing application comes with a selection of available templates. You can also set up your own, for example, for a company letterhead.

Question 31

Give a benefit of a template used with a word processing application.

Answer 31

Templates save time when you have to produce a professional-quality document. It also saves time when you need to produce a consistent style of document over time.

Question 32

What is an animated transition?

Answer 32

An animated transition in a slide presentation is an entry/exit effect when you move from one slide or to another e.g. such as fading.

Question 33

Name three types of Human-Computer Interface (HCI). Can you describe a use and an advantge for each one?

Answer 33

Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Command Line Interface (C/LI)
Menu-driven interface
Form-driven interface
Game controller 
Speech recognition interface
Touch screen
Keyboard & mouse
Natural language interface
Fitness band
Blended reality headset
Eye-tracking camera
Speech synthesis (text to speech)
Facial recognition

Question 34

Define a Graphical User Interface and give one use of the this type of HCI.

Answer 34

With a GUI, the user points and clicks on icons, buttons and menus using their mouse, touch screen, keyboard or other device.
A GUI is the most common interface for software applications, mobile apps, and operating systems. It is designed to be very intuitive to use, without needing much text. Well suited for small screens, as text would be difficult to read.

Question 35

Describe an advantage of a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Answer 35

A GUI makes the operation of the computer as friendly as possible by using high resolution graphics and pointers. Instead of typing in commands you enter them by pointing and clicking.
It should be intuitive and fun to use without additional instructions. There is no need to know programme commands. It is easier to customise an application or environment using a GUI.

Question 36

Define the Internet.

Answer 36

A global, public network of networks that can accessed almost by anyone, from anywhere using any communications device.

Question 37

Describe three advantages for a household of having a Local Area Network (LAN).

Answer 37

Shared access is available to computer peripherals and the Internet connection
Browsing activity can be monitoring centrally - parents can see that their children are accessing the Internet safely.
Antivirus software can be updated centrally, which is quicker and easier than updating on each individual computer.
New software can be installed on all PCs at once, rather than individually on each computer.
Each family member can choose to allow others to share data on their computer.
Backup of files can be centralised, so there is a single store from which to restore files.

Question 38

Describe three disadvantages for a household of having a Local Area Network (LAN).

Answer 38

More access points are vulnerable to hackers
Someone in the family must have technical ability to set it up and maintain it. For example, maintaining a firewall can be difficult.
If Internet connection is lost, no one has access
Someone playing online video games could hog the shared bandwidth
If a virus gets into the system it can damage data & software on all computers

Question 39

Define a database

Answer 39

A large collection of data items and links between them, structured so that it can be accessed by many different application programs.

Question 40

What is a database query?

Answer 40

A user interrogates a database by running a query to find information. For example, a search of a GP’s database to find all the patients who are recommended to have a flu jab. The query is a line of code that contains the source of the data and the criteria to search for. It is often written in Structured Query Language.

Question 41

What is a database report?

Answer 41

A report is the output from a database in which the user decides how the results are presented. For example, they might want to show figures in a table or as a chart. Or they might want a list of search results as hyperlinks.

Question 42

What is import/export?

Answer 42

Import/export is the transfer of data from one software application to another. For example, names and addresses are exported from a database and imported into a word processing program to produce appointment reminder letters using mail merge.