AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 · Topic 12

IT in society: past paper questions

77 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Describe, Discuss, Explain, Analyse, Evaluate

Real questions on it in society

The newest 20 of 77 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q7[8]
Virtual currency can be used instead of physical bank notes and coins to buy goods and services. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the use of virtual currency.
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9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[2]
Describe the purpose of risk testing.
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9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[4]
Describe how the risk to data can be quantified.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q3[8]
Discuss the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on the environment.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q9[4]
Central bank digital base money is a type of digital currency. Describe the characteristics of central bank digital base money.
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9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q7[8]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using data mining in businesses.
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9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q11[8]
Technology-enhanced learning can be delivered using video-conferencing. Evaluate the use of video-conferencing in education.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10a[2]
Describe what is meant by a distributed ledger.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10b[2]
Describe two items of data that would be stored in a cryptocurrency’s distributed ledger.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q11[8]
Discuss the use of data mining by banking organisations.
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9626/32 · February/March 2025 · Q7[8]
Discuss the impact of technology enhanced learning on student achievement.
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9626/32 · February/March 2025 · Q8[6]
Central bank digital base money is a type of digital currency issued by banks. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of central bank digital base money.
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q6b[4]
Describe the impact of the development of UHD television systems on the environment.
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q8[8]
Data mining is used by businesses to analyse very large quantities of data. Discuss the use of data mining by businesses.
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q9[6]
Explain the drawbacks to a business of using social media for advertising their products.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q7[8]
A specialist data mining company has been asked by a bank to create a data mining model. The bank will use the model to find out if there is fraudulent activity in the use of credit cards. Describe the process the data mining company will use to create the model for the bank.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q10[8]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to individuals of using chat rooms for social networking.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q7[6]
Explain how technology-enhanced learning can have an impact on the autonomy of learners.
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9626/33 · May/June 2024 · Q7[8]
A specialist data mining company has been asked by a bank to create a data mining model. The bank will use the model to find out if there is fraudulent activity in the use of credit cards. Describe the process the data mining company will use to create the model for the bank. ,
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9626/33 · May/June 2024 · Q10[8]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to individuals of using chat rooms for social networking.
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What examiners said

The command word ‘discuss’ is defined in the syllabus (page 66) as to ‘write about issues(s) or topic(s) in a structured way’ so learners who produced bulleted lists or tables of statements were unable to access most of the marks. It is essential that answers reflect the command word in the question if they are to access the full range of available marks. This question asked for discussion of the...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/32 Q7 (Cambridge)

This question asked for descriptions of benefits and drawbacks so there was no need to provide lengthy descriptions or explanations what digital base money is. Vague answers about being ‘dependent on internet access’ or ‘not being available if the server fails’ gained little or no credit. At A level, answers need to be more focussed on the question scenario and demonstrate depth of knowledge such,...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/32 Q8 (Cambridge)

Most responses gave descriptive answers rather than explanations. For example, candidates could state that the lack of access to the internet or to broadband meant that users could not have the benefits of online face-to-face meetings. The impact of this could, for example, have been an inability to work from home or to have face-to-face meetings with family or friends. Most responses identified i...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/12 Q6(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise it in society

In the syllabus

12.1 Digital currencies

Types, characteristics and uses of digital currencies, including: – digital/electronic currency, virtual currency, cryptocurrency, central bank digital base money, stored value cards – centralised systems (debit, credit cards, electronic point of sale) – decentralised systems (Bitcoin, Litecoin, peer-to-peer electronic monetary systems, mobile electronic wallets)
Use of blockchains as distributed ledgers for cryptocurrencies
Impact and risks of digital currencies, including on: – individuals – businesses – governments – the global economy
Advantages and disadvantages of different types of digital currency

12.2 Data mining

Process of data mining
Stages in the data mining process – 1 Business understanding – 2 Data understanding – 3 Data preparation – 4 Data modelling – 5 Evaluation – 6 Deployment
How and why data mining is used, including in: – national security – surveillance – businesses – scientific research – healthcare – the analysis of social and economic trends
Advantages and disadvantages of data mining to individuals and organisations, including: – all information is in one place – ethical and privacy concerns

12.3 Social networking services/platforms

Types of social networking services/platforms, including: – chat rooms – instant messaging – email – social media such as forums, blogs, microblogs
Uses of social networking services/platforms, including: – by individuals, businesses, organisations, governments – for education, finance, healthcare, news sources
The impact of social networking services/platforms, including: – on individuals – for example, meeting new people, keeping in contact with family and friends, common interest groups, exchanging ideas, intellectual isolation, physical and mental health of different age groups, ideological polarisation, stereotyping, cognitive issues – on businesses – for example, advertising, product information, safety information about products, customer feedback – on organisations – for example, to disseminate information, weather warnings – on governments – for example, distribution of useful information, updating of regulations, advice and discussions on current issues, government news, feedback from citizens, censorship, false/distorted information
Advantages and disadvantages of different types of social networking services/platforms

12.4 The impact of IT

The impact of IT on society, including on: – sport – manufacturing – healthcare – education – banking – e-business and finance – news – entertainment and media – family and home – government – politics – individuals and organisations
The impact of IT on monitoring and surveillance in society, including on: – individuals – organisations – security and policing

12.5 Technology enhanced learning

Methods of delivery of technology enhanced learning, including: – computer-based training – online tutorials – networked courses – massive open online courses (MOOC) – video-conferencing
Impact of technology enhanced learning, including on: – student and teacher motivation – achievement – autonomy
Advantages and disadvantages of different methods of delivery

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