AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 · Topic 16

System life cycle: past paper questions

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

Real questions on system life cycle

The newest 20 of 62 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9626/13 · October/November 2025 · Q9[4]
A programmer is developing a new piece of software. The programmer has decided to write code that needs to be interpreted so that it will run. Justify the programmer’s decision.
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9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6[6]
Describe the purpose of the user requirements specification for a new system.
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9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2[6]
A new software gaming app is to be developed for smartphones. Analyse the use of the waterfall method to develop the new app.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6[6]
Test plans are written early in the development cycle of new systems. Describe the tasks that are carried out when creating a test plan.
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9626/33 · May/June 2025 · Q3[6]
A system specification is written when a new system is to be designed and developed. Describe the purpose of the system specification.
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9626/11 · October/November 2024 · Q7[8]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the use of a compiler to convert a computer program in a high level language into a low level language.
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9626/32 · October/November 2024 · Q3[6]
A new software application has been evaluated for ease of use. Describe two other evaluations that should be carried out on the new software application.
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9626/32 · October/November 2024 · Q8[8]
Designers in a company use standalone computer-aided design (CAD) applications to design products. The company has now decided that its designers will change to using a cloud-based CAD application. The company will use parallel running to implement the change. Discuss the use of the parallel running method of implement...
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9626/32 · October/November 2024 · Q10[8]
A company is developing a data input screen for entering customer details into a database. Evaluate the use of evolutionary prototyping for developing the data input screen.
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9626/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[3]
Describe the role of a compiler.
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9626/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7b[3]
Describe the role of a linker.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[2]
Describe two advantages of using evolutionary prototyping.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3b[1]
Describe one disadvantage of using evolutionary prototyping.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3c[2]
Describe two advantages of using throw-away prototyping.
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9626/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3d[1]
Describe one disadvantage of using throw-away prototyping.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[6]
Describe how white box testing is used to test the code.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[2]
Explain the purpose of a DFD.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q5b[2]
When a new computer system is being designed, the designers draw a level 0 (context-level) DFD before drawing a level 1 DFD. Describe two differences between a level 0 DFD and a level 1 DFD.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q8[8]
A software developer has been asked to create a gaming app for a smartphone. Analyse the use of the waterfall method of software development in this scenario.
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9626/33 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[2]
Describe two advantages of using evolutionary prototyping.
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What examiners said

While many candidates could correctly identify and then describe two types of software maintenance, a number could not. Poorer answers incorrectly named the maintenance as e.g., ‘updating maintenance’ or ‘replacement’ maintenance. The names of the types of maintenance are given in Topic 16.8 so candidates are reminded to use these. To gain marks on this question, candidates were expected to correc...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/32 Q11 (Cambridge)

The purpose of technical documentation is to provide information for software engineers or technicians who are continuing development, or maintaining the software after it has been deployed. Few candidates could distinguish it from other software documentation. A good answer would have noted the target audience of the documentation and how and when it would be used.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/33 Q6(a) (Cambridge)

This question was a real challenge and most candidates could not describe the contents of technical documentation. For this question, one which is asking candidates only to recall knowledge, there are many more than six items of information that could have been included in a response to gain the full marks. It is important that candidates study all the topics in the syllabus.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/33 Q6(b) (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 system life cycle

In the syllabus

16.1 The stages in the system life cycle

The definition of a system, i.e. a collection of components to form a whole system, including: – a hardware system – a software system – a combination of hardware and software
The different stages of developing a system
The relationship between the different stages of the system life cycle

16.2 Analysis

Methods of researching for a given situation, including: – questionnaires – interviews – observation – document analysis
Content and purpose of specifications, including: – user requirements specification – system specification – design specification
Advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of researching a given situation

16.3 Design

System processing and flow of data through a system, including: – Data flow diagrams (DFD), level 0 (context-level), level 1 and level 2 diagrams – construct a system flowchart and a data flow diagram (DFD) using correct symbols (see symbols at the end of the ‘Subject content’ section)
Data storage, including: – databases – files (input and output)
Input forms, including: – features and elements of forms – appropriate use of forms for data collection – validation and checking of data collected by forms – input screen layouts
Output reports, including: – output screen layouts – printed copy layouts

16.4 Development and testing

Test plans, including: – the need for testing and the purpose of a test plan – contents of a test plan – create a test plan for a given situation
Test data, including: – the types and purpose of test data
Alpha and beta testing, including: – differences between alpha and beta testing
White box and black box testing, including: – differences between white box and black box testing
Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of testing

16.5 Implementation

Methods of implementing a system, including: – parallel running – direct changeover – phased implementation – pilot implementation
Advantages and disadvantages of each implementation method for a given situation, including: – how each method is implemented in a given situation – the suitability of an implementation method for a given situation

16.6 Documentation

Types of documentation and why each is needed, including: – requirements and design documentation – technical documentation – user and marketing documentation
Contents of the different types of documentation
Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of documentation

16.7 Evaluation

Evaluating a new system, including the efficiency, ease of use and appropriateness for intended use
Evaluation techniques, including: – checking against specifications – meeting user requirements – feedback from users

16.8 Methods of software development

Stages and processes of each method, including: – agile – iterative – incremental – rapid application development (RAD) – waterfall
Advantages and disadvantages of each method

16.9 Prototyping

Types of prototyping and why each is needed, including: – evolutionary – incremental – throwaway – rapid
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of prototyping

16.10 Maintenance

Types of maintenance and why each is needed, including: – perfective – adaptive – preventive – corrective maintenance
How each type of maintenance is carried out
Advantages and disadvantages of different types of maintenance

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