Software Development: past paper questions
Real questions on software development
The newest 20 of 113 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9618/12 · October/November 2025 · Q11[3]
An automated system opens doors when a person is detected within 2 metres. The system closes the doors when there is no longer a person within 2 metres. Identify whether the automated system is an example of a monitoring system or a control system. Justify your choice. Monitoring or Control Justification
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[3]
Different test methods will be used at different stages of the program development. Complete the table by identifying the test method that matches the test description. The first row has been completed for you. Test description Test method carried out as soon as a program module has been coded alpha carried out as prog...
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[3]
During the alpha testing stage, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is used to help locate an error that has been identified. The IDE report window feature is used to examine the values assigned to variables. Explain how two other IDE features are used together with the report window feature to help locate the...
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2[5]
Data is a global 1D array containing 30 elements of type STRING An algorithm will output: • • all non-blank elements (elements that do not contain an empty string) the final total of the number of elements output. Complete the program flowchart to represent the algorithm: END START
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[6]
Complete the pseudocode for Store() All variables used in the algorithm must be declared. PROCEDURE Store()
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[5]
A structure chart is used to document a different part of the program. This part of the program contains six modules: Pseudocode module header PROCEDURE Setup() PROCEDURE Restart(H1 : STRING, C1 : INTEGER) FUNCTION Modify(B1 : BOOLEAN) RETURNS INTEGER PROCEDURE Final(T1 : INTEGER) PROCEDURE Update(BYREF R2 : STRING) FU...
See it on the paper → - 9618/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[4]
The table lists some of the development activities. Complete the table by writing the name of the life cycle stage for each activity: Activity Name of life cycle stage a structure chart is produced a program is modified to allow it to run on new hardware the programmer identifies the customer’s requirements an Integrat...
See it on the paper → - 9618/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[1]
Alpha and beta testing has been completed. The final testing stage is carried out by the customer. Identify this final testing stage.
See it on the paper → - 9618/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Explain the meaning of the curved arrow symbol in this structure chart.
See it on the paper → - 9618/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[4]
The program designer has noted that: • • • Count is the number of elements in an array T1 is a value representing the number of elements in an array that have been modified Key is of type STRING Write the pseudocode module headers for analyse, update and sort. Analyse: Update: Sort:
See it on the paper → - 9618/23 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[2]
A function Generate() is written to take an original number as a parameter and to return the check digit. Outline a test plan that could be used to fully test function Generate() Assume that the parameter is valid.
See it on the paper → - 9618/23 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[4]
A structure chart is used to document a different part of the program, made up of five modules. Program notes: module Setup calls either module Restart, or module Confirm module Confirm takes a string as a parameter and returns an integer module Modify has no parameters and returns a Boolean module Update takes a strin...
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
Describe two ways in which the complexities of the computer hardware are hidden from the user.
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2025 · Q8c[4]
is to be evaluated, where: a = 6, b = 12, c = 15 and d = 5. Show the changing contents of the stack as the RPN expression is evaluated. d a b + * c a ‑ / (c) The RPN expression:
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2025 · Q9a(i)[5]
Complete the pseudocode for the function to remove a data item from the stack. FUNCTION Pop() DECLARE DataItem : STRING "" DataItem IF THEN DataItem Top ELSE "You cannot remove data; the stack is empty" DataItem ENDIF ENDFUNCTION
See it on the paper → - 9618/31 · October/November 2025 · Q9a(ii)[1]
Write the pseudocode to output the data item removed from the stack with an appropriate message.
See it on the paper → - 9618/33 · October/November 2025 · Q10a[3]
Write pseudocode to declare the variables, constant and array required to implement the stack.
See it on the paper → - 9618/33 · October/November 2025 · Q10b[3]
Write pseudocode for a procedure to initialise the top and bottom pointers of the stack to appropriate values.
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[3]
Decomposition has been used to design the program to help the shop manager control the stock. Describe decomposition.
See it on the paper → - 9618/21 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(ii)[4]
The requirements for AddNewCustomers() are changed. There may be no existing customers in the loyalty scheme. Explain the changes that will need to be made to the module AddNewCustomers()
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What examiners said
The question required two benefits to a programmer. Some candidates need to ensure that they read the question carefully; responses were often given in terms of benefits to the user. There was considerable confusion with open source software. Responses describing modification and redistribution were frequently seen. Some candidates need to understand that shareware does not mean that the source co...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/13 Q6(a) (Cambridge)
As is usual with this type of question, a wide range of marks was given. It was pleasing to see a range of different solutions gaining full marks for this question. MP1: Many solutions gained this mark. In some cases, the solution consisted of little more than the module ‘wrapper’ suggesting that this is a recognised tactic. MP2: Most solutions included some form of attempted loop. The simple F...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/22 Q6(a) (Cambridge)
Most candidates gained the one mark for this question but over a third did not gain this mark. Incorrect answers were drawn from general computing terminology.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/22 Q6(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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