Storage devices and media: past paper questions
Real questions on storage devices and media
The newest 20 of 20 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0417/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10a[4]
Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using magnetic tape to store backups.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q11a[3]
State three other ways in which the student can transfer the files.
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1[2]
Circle two optical storage devices. Blu-ray disc reader DVD reader Keyboard Mouse Pen drive QR scanner RFID reader SD card
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(iii)[1]
Blu-ray disc
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(iv)[1]
Magnetic tape
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q3[6]
Many people use portable solid-state drives (SSD) rather than portable hard disk drives (HDD). Compare SSDs and HDDs. Your answer should include both similarities and differences.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2024 · Q14[3]
three advantages of using solid state storage devices rather than magnetic storage devices.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · February/March 2024 · Q1[2]
Circle two items which are solid-state storage media. Actuator Blu-ray disc Cloud DVD Flash memory Hard disk Printer SD card
See it on the paper → - 0417/11 · October/November 2023 · Q9a[4]
State a use for the SSD and a use for the HDD in the laptop computer.
See it on the paper → - 0417/11 · May/June 2023 · Q11[4]
Explain why the SSD may be better to use than the HDD.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2023 · Q12a[4]
Movies can be stored on Blu-ray discs or an internal hard disk. Describe why Blu-ray discs are preferred to an internal hard disk for storing movies.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2023 · Q12b(i)[2]
Hard disks and Blu-ray discs are examples of backing storage. State two characteristics of backing storage.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2023 · Q12b(ii)[2]
Identify two other types of backing storage.
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · May/June 2023 · Q2b[1]
An external device that retains a computer’s data even after the computer is turned off.
See it on the paper → - 0417/11 · May/June 2022 · Q4[2]
two advantages of using a memory stick rather than the cloud to store data.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · May/June 2022 · Q6[2]
Describe two disadvantages of using an SSD rather than an HDD in a laptop computer.
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · May/June 2022 · Q1[2]
Circle two storage devices. Bridge Digital camera DVD RAM Drive Linker Memory stick Mouse Printer Spreadsheet
See it on the paper → - 0417/11 · October/November 2020 · Q1b[2]
Identify two optical storage devices from the list.
See it on the paper → - 0417/12 · October/November 2020 · Q1[2]
(a) Identify two solid state storage devices from the list.
See it on the paper → - 0417/13 · May/June 2019 · Q1[4]
Data can be stored on Magnetic, Optical or Solid state media. Tick the most appropriate type of medium for each of the examples. Magnetic (✓) Optical (✓) Solid state (✓) Blu-ray disc Hard disk Pen drive Flash memory card
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The answers gave a variety of different ways in which the data could be transferred. Some candidates misread the question and gave answers related to the example given. There were many trade names given rather than using generic names. It was clear from the answers given that candidates understood the question but, in some cases, could not explain it clearly enough to gain credit. One example of t...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/12 Q11(a) (Cambridge)
This question was fairly well answered with most candidates gaining at least one mark. The question related to optical storage devices. Some candidates looked at the word storage without reading optical.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/13 Q1 (Cambridge)
Candidates found the question quite challenging with some circling blu-ray disc and hard disk. However, many candidates were able to gain at least one mark.
— Examiner report, February/March 2024, 0417/12 Q1 (Cambridge)
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