IGCSE Computer Science (9–1) 0984 · Topic 2

Data transmission: past paper questions

34 real questionsasked in 6 of the last 10 exam series2020–2026usually: Give, Describe, Explain, Identify, Complete

Real questions on data transmission

The newest 20 of 34 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0984/11 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[4]
The USB cable transmits data using the serial half-duplex data transmission method. Describe how the serial half-duplex data transmission method transmits the data.
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0984/11 · May/June 2026 · Q4c[2]
One benefit of using the USB cable to connect the optical mouse to the computer is that bits of data are less likely to arrive out of order. Give two other benefits of using the USB cable to connect the optical mouse to the computer.
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0984/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[1]
Give the purpose of the compiler and the interpreter.
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0984/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[1]
Identify one other type of translator.
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0984/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5c[4]
8 (c) The table contains statements about compilers and interpreters. letter statement A An interpreter translates and executes the code one variable at a time. Acompiler displays an error report when it is unable to run the code due to syntax errors. An interpreter stops translating as soon as it finds an error in the...
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0984/12 · May/June 2026 · Q3e(i)[2]
Each packet of data is divided into three parts. One part is the payload. Give the names of the two other parts of a packet of data.
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0984/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[3]
Three bytes of data need to be transmitted. Give the correct parity bit that would be added to each byte of data for an odd parity byte check. parity bit byte of data 0101110 1110111 1000100
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0984/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(i)[2]
Explain why the error may not be detected by a parity byte check.
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0984/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Give two other error detection methods that could be used.
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0984/21 · May/June 2026 · Q10b[3]
Describe how the flowchart could be changed to only accept positive whole numbers.
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0984/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(i)[2]
Explain how data is sent using the USB connection.
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0984/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(ii)[2]
Give two benefits of using a USB connection for this purpose.
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0984/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(iii)[1]
Give one drawback of using a USB connection for this purpose.
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0984/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7f(i)[2]
Explain how errors may occur in the data during transmission.
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0984/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7f(ii)[2]
Give two error detection methods that could be used to check for errors in the data after transmission.
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0984/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(i)[2]
Give two reasons why serial full-duplex is a suitable data transmission method for the data.
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0984/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Give one improvement that would be made to the data transmission if parallel transmission is used instead of serial transmission.
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0984/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[5]
Describe the process of the checksum error detection method.
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0984/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
Identify one other error detection method that could be used to check for errors in the data.
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0984/11 · May/June 2025 · Q4c(i)[1]
Tick (3) one box to show which item would not be included in a packet’s header. A destination address B originator’s address C packet number
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What examiners said

Many candidates were able to give two appropriate reasons for the data transmission method used. The most common correct answer given was that the data would likely be travelling over a reasonable distance.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0984/11 Q4(a)(i) (Cambridge)

Most candidates were able to recognise that parallel may make the data transmission time faster.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0984/11 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Candidates found this question challenging. Candidates need to have a greater technical understanding of how error checking methods operate. The most common mark awarded was a reference to using an algorithm to calculate the checksum.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0984/11 Q4(b)(i) (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.

Download 0984 papers

In the syllabus

1 0478.2.0.01 — Describe the operation of a compiler and an • A compiler translates the whole code at once

Describe the operation of a compiler and an • A compiler translates the whole code at once
before executing it, producing an executable file
• An interpreter translates and executes the code line-by-line • A compiler provides an error report for the whole code if errors are detected • An interpreter stops execution when an error is found
Explain the basic operation and components of • Limited to:
– expert systems – machine learning • Expert systems have a knowledge base, a rule base, an inference engine and an interface • Machine learning is when a program has the ability to automatically adapt its own processes and/or data
standard flowchart symbols that must be used by students when drawing flowcharts
logic gate symbols that must be used by students when drawing logic circuits
format in which pseudocode will appear in examinations.

2 0478.2.0.02 — before executing it, producing an executable file

before executing it, producing an executable file

3 0478.2.0.03 — • An interpreter translates and executes the code line-by-line • A compiler provides an error report for the whole code if errors are detect

• An interpreter translates and executes the code line-by-line • A compiler provides an error report for the whole code if errors are detected • An interpreter stops execution when an error is found

4 0478.2.0.04 — Explain the basic operation and components of • Limited to:

Explain the basic operation and components of • Limited to:

5 0478.2.0.05 — – expert systems – machine learning • Expert systems have a knowledge base, a rule base, an inference engine and an interface • Machine lear

– expert systems – machine learning • Expert systems have a knowledge base, a rule base, an inference engine and an interface • Machine learning is when a program has the ability to automatically adapt its own processes and/or data

6 0478.2.0.06 — standard flowchart symbols that must be used by students when drawing flowcharts

standard flowchart symbols that must be used by students when drawing flowcharts

7 0478.2.0.07 — logic gate symbols that must be used by students when drawing logic circuits

logic gate symbols that must be used by students when drawing logic circuits

8 0478.2.0.08 — format in which pseudocode will appear in examinations.

format in which pseudocode will appear in examinations.

9 0478.2.1.01 — (a) Understand that data is broken down into

(a) Understand that data is broken down into
• A packet of data contains a: – packet header – payload – trailer • The packet header includes the: – destination address – packet number – originator’s address
• Data is broken down into packets • Each packet could take a different route • A router controls the route a packet takes • Packets may arrive out of order • Once the last packet has arrived, packets are reordered
(a) Describe how data is transmitted from one • Including:
– serial
– parallel – simplex – half-duplex – full-duplex
Explain the suitability of each method of • Including the advantages and disadvantages of
each method
Understand the universal serial bus (USB) • Including the benefits and drawbacks of the
interface

10 0478.2.1.02 — • A packet of data contains a: – packet header – payload – trailer • The packet header includes the: – destination address – packet number –

• A packet of data contains a: – packet header – payload – trailer • The packet header includes the: – destination address – packet number – originator’s address

11 0478.2.1.03 — • Data is broken down into packets • Each packet could take a different route • A router controls the route a packet takes • Packets may arr

• Data is broken down into packets • Each packet could take a different route • A router controls the route a packet takes • Packets may arrive out of order • Once the last packet has arrived, packets are reordered

12 0478.2.1.04 — (a) Describe how data is transmitted from one • Including:

(a) Describe how data is transmitted from one • Including:

13 0478.2.1.05 — – serial

– serial

14 0478.2.1.06 — – parallel – simplex – half-duplex – full-duplex

– parallel – simplex – half-duplex – full-duplex

15 0478.2.1.07 — Explain the suitability of each method of • Including the advantages and disadvantages of

Explain the suitability of each method of • Including the advantages and disadvantages of

16 0478.2.1.08 — each method

each method

17 0478.2.1.09 — Understand the universal serial bus (USB) • Including the benefits and drawbacks of the

Understand the universal serial bus (USB) • Including the benefits and drawbacks of the

18 0478.2.1.10 — interface

interface

19 0478.2.2.01 — Understand the need to check for errors after • Errors can occur during data transmission due

Understand the need to check for errors after • Errors can occur during data transmission due
to interference, e.g. data loss, data gain and
data change
Describe the processes involved in each of the • Including parity byte and parity block check

20 0478.2.2.02 — to interference, e.g. data loss, data gain and

to interference, e.g. data loss, data gain and

21 0478.2.2.03 — data change

data change

22 0478.2.2.04 — Describe the processes involved in each of the • Including parity byte and parity block check

Describe the processes involved in each of the • Including parity byte and parity block check

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