IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (9–1) 0983 · Topic 6

ICT applications: past paper questions

14 real questionsasked in 7 of the last 10 exam series2021–2025usually: Describe, Discuss, State, Explain, Give

Real questions on ict applications

The newest 14 of 14 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[6]
Describe the characteristics of online shopping.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[4]
Discuss the impact of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in online shopping.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]
Computer aided design (CAD)
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Measurement software
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(iii)[2]
Video editing software
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q12[3]
State the processing involved in withdrawing cash from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) after a customer has inserted his card into the machine.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[4]
Describe the inputs and outputs involved in the use of an expert system.
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0983/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6b[2]
State two features of an ePublication that could not appear on a paper poster.
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0983/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6c[6]
Describe the features that could be used to make the ePublication attractive to a younger audience.
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0983/12 · May/June 2023 · Q13a[4]
Explain why computer modelling is used to forecast the weather.
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0983/11 · October/November 2022 · Q10a[2]
Give two types of content which could be used in a multimedia presentation that cannot be used in a printed leaflet.
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0983/11 · October/November 2021 · Q5b[8]
Tawara Tours used to book holidays using a manual booking system. This used a pen and paper to make the bookings. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using online booking systems rather than a manual booking system.
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0983/11 · October/November 2021 · Q9a[2]
Describe two other jobs that robots can perform in car production.
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0983/11 · October/November 2021 · Q9c[6]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of robots rather than employing humans to spray paint the cars.
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What examiners said

The question about Computer Aided Design. Some candidates answered the question by simply repeating the keywords, i.e. designing using a computer. Those candidates that achieved well in this question gave answers related to designing of models and visualising how they would look in real life.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q2(a)(i) (Cambridge)

Many candidates answered that measurement software measured therefore repeating the question within their answer. Those candidates that achieved well in this question made it clear that measurement software uses the data supplied from sensors and then went on to explain how this data was processed and displayed.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

This was better answered than the first two parts even though some candidates repeated the question in their answer, for example video editing software edits videos. Sometimes it is difficult in a question of this type not to repeat the question but those candidates that gave examples like cropping the video and other example where able to gain good marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q2(a)(iii) (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.

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In the syllabus

1 0417.6.1.01 — Characteristics and uses including newsletters, posters, websites, multimedia presentations, audio, video, media streaming and ePublications

Characteristics and uses including newsletters, posters, websites, multimedia presentations, audio, video, media streaming and ePublications
The use of mobile devices for communication including: SMS messaging, phone calls, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video calls, accessing the internet

2 0417.6.1.02 — The use of mobile devices for communication including: SMS messaging, phone calls, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video calls, accessi

The use of mobile devices for communication including: SMS messaging, phone calls, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video calls, accessing the internet

3 0417.6.2.01 — Including: personal finance, bridge and building design, flood water management, traffic management, weather forecasting

Including: personal finance, bridge and building design, flood water management, traffic management, weather forecasting
Advantages and disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

4 0417.6.2.02 — Advantages and disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

Advantages and disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

5 0417.6.3.01 — Including: robotics in manufacture, production line control, autonomous vehicles

Including: robotics in manufacture, production line control, autonomous vehicles
Advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather than humans

6 0417.6.3.02 — Advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather than humans

Advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather than humans

7 School management systems

Systems are used to manage learner registration and attendance Systems are used to record learner performance including computer aided learning

8 Booking systems

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of online booking systems including travel industry, concerts, cinemas, sporting events

9 0417.6.6.01 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) including: withdrawing cash, depositing cash or chequ

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) including: withdrawing cash, depositing cash or cheques, checking account balance, mini statements, bill paying, money transfers
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), credit/debit card transactions, cheques, internet banking

10 0417.6.6.02 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), credit/debit card transactions, cheques, internet ba

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), credit/debit card transactions, cheques, internet banking

11 0417.6.7.01 — Characteristics and uses of patient records, pharmacy records

Characteristics and uses of patient records, pharmacy records
Including printing of prosthetics, tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels, customised medicines

12 0417.6.7.02 — Including printing of prosthetics, tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels, customised medicines

Including printing of prosthetics, tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels, customised medicines

13 Expert systems

Characteristics, uses and purpose of expert systems including mineral prospecting, car engine fault diagnosis, medical diagnosis, chess games, financial planning, route scheduling for delivery vehicles, plant and animal identification Components of an expert system: user interface, inference engine, knowledge base, rules base, explanation system How an expert system is used to produce possible solutions for different scenarios

14 0417.6.9.01 — Characteristics and uses of computers in the retail industry including point of sale (POS) terminals and electronic funds transfer at point

Characteristics and uses of computers in the retail industry including point of sale (POS) terminals and electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals Point of sale (POS) terminals including updating stock files automatically and ordering new stock automatically Electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals including checking of the validity of cards, the use of chip and PIN, the use of contactless cards, the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) payment, the communication between the supermarket computer and the bank computer
Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping

15 0417.6.9.02 — Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping

Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping

16 Recognition systems

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of: Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) including school registers, multiple-choice examination papers, barcode, QR code Optical Character Recognition (OCR) including automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) including tracking stock, passports, automobiles, contactless payment Near Field Communication (NFC) including payment using a smartphone Biometric recognition including face, iris, retina, finger, thumb, hand, voice

17 Satellite systems

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of satellite systems including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite navigation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), media communication systems (satellite television, satellite phone)

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