AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 · Topic 3

Monitoring and control: past paper questions

60 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Describe, Discuss, Explain, Evaluate, Compare

Real questions on monitoring and control

The newest 20 of 60 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9626/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Explain the reasons why sensors must be calibrated before they are used.
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9626/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[5]
Compare one-point calibration with multipoint calibration.
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9626/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[2]
overdubbing
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9626/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[2]
equalisation
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9626/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8c[2]
reverberation
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9626/13 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Explain the reasons why sensors must be calibrated before they are used.
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9626/13 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[5]
Compare one-point calibration with multipoint calibration.
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9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q11[8]
Evaluate the use of email by governments.
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9626/12 · May/June 2025 · Q5[5]
Describe five advantages of using computers rather than a human to monitor water pollution.
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9626/11 · October/November 2024 · Q9[8]
A computerised system will be used to collect and monitor environmental data in mountainous areas. Evaluate the use of monitoring technologies in this scenario.
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9626/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3[8]
Control technologies can be used in traffic management systems. Evaluate the use of control technologies in traffic management systems. You must identify specific control technologies and evaluate their use in towns and on motorways.
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9626/12 · October/November 2024 · Q9[8]
A reporter will use telephone interviews to gather information for an article. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using telephone interviews.
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9626/11 · May/June 2024 · Q6[8]
An airline company uses a flight simulator to train its pilots. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a flight simulator in this scenario.
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9626/12 · February/March 2024 · Q5[6]
An apartment has a controlled central heating system. This system includes a microprocessor. Explain how the temperature in the apartment is controlled by the system.
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9626/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6a[2]
Describe the purpose of an actuator.
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9626/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6b[2]
Describe how an electromagnetic field sensor works when used in a car park control technology system.
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9626/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6c[2]
Describe how an ultrasonic sensor works when a driver is parking a car.
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9626/12 · October/November 2023 · Q4a[2]
Describe how touch sensors are used as part of a control system in nuclear power plants.
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9626/12 · October/November 2023 · Q4b[2]
Describe how infrared sensors are used in burglar alarm systems.
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9626/13 · October/November 2023 · Q3a[3]
fault tolerance
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What examiners said

Most responses showed some understanding that an actuator provided output from a control system, with some giving suitable examples that suited the scenario. However, a significant proportion did not sufficiently show that they understood the purpose of an actuator.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/11 Q6(a) (Cambridge)

Candidates could answer this question by describing the way in which the electromagnetic field sensor operates, and so focus on changes in magnetic fields, or focus on the use within a system. However, many candidates seemed to have little understanding of what an electronic field sensor is. Most gave answers that implied that the sensor was a visual sensor on a car, rather than a device used with...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/11 Q6(b) (Cambridge)

When compared to part (b), answers about an ultrasonic sensor showed slightly better understanding. Typically, candidates were able to state that an ultrasonic sensor measures the proximity to an object. Occasionally, candidates stated that the system involved a sound being sent out and received back, which was worthy of more credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/11 Q6(c) (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 monitoring and control

In the syllabus

3.1 Monitoring and measurement technologies

Sensors, including: – light/UV – temperature – pressure – humidity – pH – gas sensors (including oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen) – sound – infrared – touch sensors – (electro)magnetic field sensors – proximity sensors
Uses of monitoring and measurement technologies, including: – environmental monitoring ○ monitoring water pollution ○ weather stations, including the use of sensors by weather stations ○ temperature sensors to measure ambient temperature ○ pressure sensors to measure atmospheric pressure ○ humidity sensors to measure absolute and relative humidity ○ light sensors to measure sunlight – monitoring patients
Calibration, including: – the importance of calibration – the various methods used to calibrate devices, including when to use: ○ one-point calibration ○ two-point calibration ○ multipoint calibration ○ methods of calibrating readings from sensors, for example, temperature sensors

3.2 Control technologies

Sensors and their uses, including: – touch sensors incorporated within detection devices used to measure fluid levels (for example, cooling water level in nuclear power plants) – temperature sensors – light sensors to measure light level – light sensors to detect light source, for example, in a car park barrier system – moisture sensors to measure water content of soil – pH sensors to measure the acidity of soil – gas sensors – infrared sensors to detect movement of human bodies which emit heat, for example, in burglar alarm systems – (electro)magnetic field sensors – ultrasonic sensors – the use of induction (inductive) loops in car parking and car park barrier systems – sound sensors in burglar alarm systems – proximity sensor in smartphones to switch off screen display when phone is held near to the ear
Actuators and their uses, including: – carrying out an action/movement, including: ○ linear ○ rotary ○ soft ○ hydraulic ○ pneumatic ○ electric ○ thermal ○ magnetic ○ mechanic
Microprocessor-controlled/computer-controlled technology, including: – greenhouses – central heating systems – air conditioning systems – burglar alarms – control of traffic/pedestrian flow (including smart motorways) – car park barriers – traffic lights – Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks – smart homes
Advantages and disadvantages of different control technologies
Write an algorithm or draw a flowchart to represent the processing involved in the control technologies listed above (see 4.1)

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