IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (9–1) 0983 · Topic 15

Proofing: past paper questions

13 real questionsasked in 6 of the last 10 exam series2020–2025usually: State, Explain, Evaluate

Real questions on proofing

The newest 13 of 13 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
The report will be linked to a database. One of the fields in the database is date of birth. An example of the data found in this field is 30/01/2010. State two validation checks that could be used to validate the data in this field.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[1]
One way of testing the data in this field is to use different types of test data. The first piece of test data used is acceptable data. State which type of test data is acceptable.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Validation routines
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[1]
Computer software can be tested using normal data, extreme data or abnormal data. Explain what is meant by abnormal test data.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
Format check
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(ii)[1]
Range check
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(iii)[1]
Length check
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8b[4]
Validation and verification checks are carried out on the data. Explain why both validation and verification are needed.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q8c[1]
State one method of verification.
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0983/12 · May/June 2024 · Q13a[1]
State what this type of verification is called.
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0983/12 · May/June 2023 · Q1[1]
A book contains a bar code whose number is 503619309903 Tick (✓) the most appropriate validation check to test the validity of the bar code. A check digit B format check C range check D spell check
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q13b[4]
Explain, using examples, why it is necessary to carry out validation as well as verification for this system.
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0983/11 · October/November 2020 · Q5a[6]
Evaluate this online data entry form.
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What examiners said

This part of the question asked candidates why validation routines needed to be tested. This was better answered than other parts of part (a) but was still challenging for many of the candidates. Those candidates that wrote that the validation routines needed to be tested so that the data was in the correct format produced good marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

This question was well answered by many of the candidates. The question related to abnormal test data. Most candidates achieved the mark for mentioning data being outside the limits of accessibility.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q4(b) (Cambridge)

This part of the question was well answered. Some candidates that knew the answer used upper case P for publication or missed out the underscores.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q8(a)(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.

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In the syllabus

1 0417.15.1.01 — Use automated software tools (spell check, grammar check) and make appropriate changes to ensure all work produced contains as few errors as

Use automated software tools (spell check, grammar check) and make appropriate changes to ensure all work produced contains as few errors as possible Use validation routines to minimise data entry errors
Automated suggestions given by spell check software do not always give the correct response
Importance, characteristics and uses of appropriate validation including range check, character check, length check, type check, format check, presence check

2 0417.15.1.02 — Automated suggestions given by spell check software do not always give the correct response

Automated suggestions given by spell check software do not always give the correct response

3 0417.15.1.03 — Importance, characteristics and uses of appropriate validation including range check, character check, length check, type check, format chec

Importance, characteristics and uses of appropriate validation including range check, character check, length check, type check, format check, presence check

4 0417.15.2.01 — Identify and correct data entry errors including transposed numbers, incorrect spelling, inconsistent character spacing, inconsistent case

Identify and correct data entry errors including transposed numbers, incorrect spelling, inconsistent character spacing, inconsistent case
Identify and correct inconsistent line spacing, remove blank pages/slides, remove widows/ orphans, inconsistent or incorrect application of styles, ensure that tables and lists are not split over columns or pages/slides
Importance, characteristics and uses of verification including visual checking and double data entry to reduce data entry errors
The need for validation as well as verification

5 0417.15.2.02 — Identify and correct inconsistent line spacing, remove blank pages/slides, remove widows/ orphans, inconsistent or incorrect application of

Identify and correct inconsistent line spacing, remove blank pages/slides, remove widows/ orphans, inconsistent or incorrect application of styles, ensure that tables and lists are not split over columns or pages/slides

6 0417.15.2.03 — Importance, characteristics and uses of verification including visual checking and double data entry to reduce data entry errors

Importance, characteristics and uses of verification including visual checking and double data entry to reduce data entry errors

7 0417.15.2.04 — The need for validation as well as verification

The need for validation as well as verification

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