IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 · Topic 18

Databases: past paper questions

38 real questionsasked in 6 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: State, Describe, Explain, Identify, Write

Real questions on databases

The newest 20 of 38 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0417/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(i)[2]
Drop down list Field name Reason
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0417/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(ii)[2]
Radio button Field name Reason
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0417/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(iii)[2]
Input Mask Reason Field name
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0417/13 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(i)[1]
State a suitable code he could use.
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0417/13 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(ii)[3]
Saving space is one reason for coding a field. State three other reasons for coding this field.
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0417/13 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
Data structure
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0417/13 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[1]
Explain what is meant by normal test data. (b) The computer app needs to be tested with normal, extreme and abnormal data before it can be implemented.
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0417/13 · May/June 2025 · Q4c[1]
The computer app allows inputs of examination grades from grade A to grade G. State one example of extreme data used to test the input of the examination grades.
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0417/13 · May/June 2025 · Q12[4]
Describe the differences between a flat file database and a relational database.
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0417/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Database
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0417/12 · October/November 2024 · Q12c[3]
After analysis of the system, the file and data structures are designed. State three elements that need to be designed as part of the file and data structures.
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0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q8b[4]
In the table, state the most appropriate data types to create the database using the information given before. For any numeric field, specify the type of number. Field name Data type Name_of_plant Scented Price ($) Height (m)
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0417/11 · May/June 2024 · Q13c[1]
Explain why it isnotsensible to store the age of the patient in the database.
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0417/11 · May/June 2024 · Q13d[1]
Explain what change could be made to the database to solve this problem.
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0417/11 · May/June 2024 · Q13e[2]
State two validation checks that could be used to check the medical ID number.
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0417/11 · May/June 2024 · Q13f[4]
Describe the characteristics of primary keys and foreign keys.
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0417/11 · October/November 2023 · Q1a[1]
Tick (✓) the field name that would be the most appropriate primary key for the database.
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0417/11 · October/November 2023 · Q1b[1]
Explain why a presence check is not a suitable validation check for the Bar_code field.
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0417/11 · October/November 2023 · Q1c[4]
Describe the advantages of using a relational database rather than a flat file database.
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0417/11 · October/November 2023 · Q1d[1]
From the data shown in the part of the database, identify the most appropriate data type for the: (ii) Name_of_publication
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What examiners said

This question was a new topic for the examination and therefore many candidates found the question quite challenging. The question related to the testing of data structures. Some candidates wrote their answer by repeating the question. For example, data structures ensure that the data is structured properly rather than stored properly.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/13 Q4(a)(i) (Cambridge)

This question was answered well by many of the candidates. The question related to what is meant by normal test data.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/13 Q4(b) (Cambridge)

This question about extreme test data was well answered by many of the candidates. Many candidates answered this question with a single letter whilst others wrote a sentence and embedded the letter in it. For this session the Examiners were lenient when this happens, but this may not be the same in future sessions.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/13 Q4(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 databases

In the syllabus

1 0417.18.1.01 — Import data from existing files (including .csv, .txt) using specified field names to create tables Set appropriate data types to fields inc

Import data from existing files (including .csv, .txt) using specified field names to create tables Set appropriate data types to fields including text, numeric (integer, decimal, currency), date/time, Boolean/logical Set sub-types of numeric data including percentage, number of decimal places Set display format of Boolean/logical field (yes/no, true/false, checkbox) Set display format of date/time data Create and edit primary and foreign keys Create relationships between tables
Create a data entry form including specified fields, appropriate font styles and sizes, appropriate spacing between fields, character spacing of individual fields, use of white space, radio buttons, check boxes, drop down menus
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of a flat file and a relational database
Characteristics of primary key and foreign keys
Characteristics of good form design

2 0417.18.1.02 — Create a data entry form including specified fields, appropriate font styles and sizes, appropriate spacing between fields, character spacin

Create a data entry form including specified fields, appropriate font styles and sizes, appropriate spacing between fields, character spacing of individual fields, use of white space, radio buttons, check boxes, drop down menus

3 0417.18.1.03 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of a flat file and a relational database

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of a flat file and a relational database

4 0417.18.1.04 — Characteristics of primary key and foreign keys

Characteristics of primary key and foreign keys

5 0417.18.1.05 — Characteristics of good form design

Characteristics of good form design

6 0417.18.2.01 — Use arithmetic operations or numeric functions to perform calculations including calculated fields, calculated controls Use formulae and fun

Use arithmetic operations or numeric functions to perform calculations including calculated fields, calculated controls Use formulae and functions to perform calculations at run time including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, sum, average, maximum, minimum, count
Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to sort data into ascending or descending order
Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to select subsets of data using a query perform searches using a variety of operators including AND, OR, NOT, LIKE, >, <, =, >=, <=, <> perform searches using wildcards

7 0417.18.2.02 — Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to sort data into ascending or descending order

Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to sort data into ascending or descending order

8 0417.18.2.03 — Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to select subsets of data using a query perform searches using a variety of operators including

Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to select subsets of data using a query perform searches using a variety of operators including AND, OR, NOT, LIKE, >, <, =, >=, <=, <> perform searches using wildcards

9 Present data — Databases

Produce reports to display data including displaying all the required data and labels in full Use appropriate headers and footers within a database report including report header, report footer, page header, page footer Set report titles Produce different output layouts including controlling the display of data, labels, tabular or columnar format Align data and labels appropriately including right aligning numeric data and decimal alignment Control the display format of numeric data including number of decimal places, currency symbol, percentage

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