Hardware and Virtual Machines: past paper questions
Real questions on hardware and virtual machines
The newest 15 of 15 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9618/11 · October/November 2025 · Q9[3]
Describe the differences between a monitoring system and a control system.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[1]
An embedded system has Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Identify one benefit of using DRAM instead of Static RAM (SRAM) in an embedded system.
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7d(ii)[1]
Use Boolean algebra to write your answer to part (d)(i) in its simplest form. T =
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2024 · Q2a[4]
Complete the description of the principal operation of a VR headset. A headset can have one or two that output the image to the user. The headset has speakers that output surround sound to give a realistic experience. The user’s head movements are detected using a sensor. This sensor is a . The data is transmitted to a...
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · May/June 2024 · Q9a[4]
Outline two benefits and two limitations of a virtual machine. Benefit Benefit Limitation Limitation
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2023 · Q5[4]
Describe the features of SISD and MIMD computer architectures. SISD MIMD
See it on the paper → - 9618/33 · October/November 2023 · Q5[4]
Describe the features of SISD and MIMD computer architectures. SISD MIMD
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[2]
Complete the Karnaugh map (K-map) for the following Boolean expression. Z = A.B.C.D + A.B.C.D + A.B.C.D + A.B.C.D + A.B.C.D + A.B.C.D AB 00 CD 01 11 10 00 01 11 10
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · May/June 2023 · Q7b[2]
Draw loop(s) around appropriate group(s) in the K-map to produce an optimal sum-of-products.
See it on the paper → - 9618/33 · May/June 2023 · Q8[3]
Outline the characteristics of massively parallel computers.
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2022 · Q8a[3]
Explain what is meant by virtual memory.
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2022 · Q8b[1]
State one difference between paging and segmentation in the way memory is divided.
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2022 · Q5[6]
Describe what is meant by a virtual machine. Include in your answer two benefits and two drawbacks of using a virtual machine. Description Benefit Benefit Drawback Drawback
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2022 · Q8c[3]
Simplify the following expression using Boolean algebra, including De Morgan’s laws. Show your working. (A.B).(A.C).(B.D) Working
See it on the paper → - 9618/33 · October/November 2022 · Q8a[3]
Explain what is meant by virtual memory.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates were generally aware of the meaning of SISD and MIMD in terms of computer architectures. A high proportion of candidates were also aware that an SISD computer contains a single processor. However, relatively few candidates expanded their MIMD description sufficiently. Those who did, stated that an MIMD architecture contains many processors that operate independently. Candidates were gen...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/33 Q5 (Cambridge)
Candidates who correctly populated the whole Karnaugh map with 0s and 1s, leaving no gaps and without using other characters, achieved both marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9618/31 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
Candidates who correctly identified two overlapping groups of four 1s and drew loops around them achieved both marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9618/31 Q7(b) (Cambridge)
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