Algorithms and flowcharts: past paper questions
Real questions on algorithms and flowcharts
The newest 20 of 94 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9626/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5[8]
X is a factor of Y if the result of Y/X is a whole number. • • The algorithm uses a WHILE…ENDWHILE statement to check whether X is greater than zero and that X is less than Y. If X is greater than zero and X is less than Y, the algorithm will output: • the values of X and Y • an appropriate message if X is a factor of...
See it on the paper → - 9626/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4[6]
Describe the drawbacks of using microprocessors to control devices and appliances in a smart home.
See it on the paper → - 9626/11 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[6]
Describe the use of different sensors to collect data about the weather.
See it on the paper → - 9626/11 · May/June 2025 · Q9[4]
The program flowchart produces the output of the sum of 10 numbers. There are errors and omissions in the flowchart. Start Count 0 Count >= 10? No Stop Yes Input Number Count Sum Count + 1 Sum + number Explain two corrections that should be made to the flowchart.
See it on the paper → - 9626/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8[2]
Describe what is meant by an actuator. You must include an example of an actuator in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9626/13 · May/June 2025 · Q7[8]
A teacher is writing a program to process test marks for a class. For marks above 70, the program will output “You have achieved a Distinction”. For marks from 55 to 70, the program will output “You have achieved a Merit”. For marks from 40 to 54, the program will output “You have achieved a Pass”. For marks below 40,...
See it on the paper → - 9626/13 · May/June 2025 · Q13[5]
The average (mean) of a set of 12 numbers is calculated by: adding the numbers together to get a total dividing the total by 12. A student has attempted to draw a flowchart of an algorithm which finds the average of 12 numbers. They have made some errors. count = 0 average = sum * 12 Input first number Display average...
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
++
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(ii)[2]
**
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[4]
Describe the use of two other arithmetic operators in JavaScript.
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[2]
Describe what is meant by the Internet of Things (IoT).
See it on the paper → - 9626/12 · February/March 2025 · Q12[8]
Employees log in to their company’s database with a User ID and password. A login screen is displayed. A user enters their User ID. If employees have forgotten their password, they click on a ‘Forgot Password?’ button. Draw a program flowchart to represent the following process. • • • • • • If the ‘Forgot Password?’ bu...
See it on the paper → - 9626/12 · October/November 2024 · Q4[7]
Draw a program flowchart to represent this algorithm: • • • Input an integer value. Repeat this until you have entered 20 values. At the end, output the largest value and the average of the values.
See it on the paper → - 9626/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1[8]
Different symbols are used in program flowcharts. Draw, in the spaces provided, four different program flowchart symbols and for each one, state its purpose. Symbol 1 Purpose Purpose Symbol 2 Symbol 3 Purpose Symbol 4 Purpose
See it on the paper → - 9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q6a[2]
What is UHD television?
See it on the paper → - 9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q7b[2]
Draw one other system flowchart symbol and describe how it is used.
See it on the paper → - 9626/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8[6]
Create a pseudocode algorithm to allow a number to be entered and to output a result when the number is: • • • divided by 4 if it is less than 8 divided by 8 if it is between 8 and 12 inclusive divided by 12 if it is any other number. Write the pseudocode algorithm using CASE...ENDCASE.
See it on the paper → - 9626/13 · May/June 2024 · Q7[8]
Draw a program flowchart, in the space provided, that will allow an examination mark to be entered and then output an appropriate message giving the correct grade, as shown in the table. All marks are integers. Mark Message Grade A 70 or more Grade B 50 or more Grade C Any other mark Grade U 85 or more 7 ,
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1a[2]
Describe what is meant by an Iterative method.
See it on the paper → - 9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[2]
Explain how a do/while loop differs from a while loop.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The final question asked candidates to produce a program flowchart. This question was successfully answered by many candidates. However, some issues appear repeatedly with such questions. Firstly, decisions need to be based on questions, and each decision has two outcomes. These outcomes may be yes/no, or true/false, but they must be shown and labelled. Secondly, candidates continue to use the w...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/12 Q12 (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to create an algorithm that used the CASE ENDCASE construct. Many candidates simply did not attempt this question, or gave answers that suggested insufficient knowledge of the concepts. Where candidates used the CASE ENDCASE construct to base the rate on the inputted job code, they tended to do well. However, some still struggled with the structure of the CASE END...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/11 Q7 (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to write an algorithm which called a procedure within a while loop and then, using selection, set the value of two variables. Whilst many responses scored well on this question, the ability to use a while loop and to call a procedure did cause some issues for candidates. Candidates also struggled with outputting two values. For example, some responses stated, “Out...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/12 Q9 (Cambridge)
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