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

Types and components of computer systems: past paper questions

57 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2020–2025usually: Describe, Explain, Discuss, State, Give

Real questions on types and components of computer systems

The newest 20 of 57 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1[2]
Circle two examples of internal memory. Actuator CD-ROM Hard drive Mouse Pen drive RAM ROM SD card
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
The data read by a sensor is
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[1]
The data read by a microprocessor is
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[4]
Contrast analogue data with digital data.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5[4]
Instructions are entered into a computer and processed to produce an output. Explain the role of the CPU in processing the instructions.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[6]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the headteacher choosing desktop computers.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[3]
The headteacher is planning to use the computers for computer aided learning (CAL). Explain what is meant by computer aided learning (CAL).
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[3]
Describe three features of CAL.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[6]
Access to the cloud is via the internet. Describe the characteristics of the internet.
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0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[4]
Describe the process of safely uploading the file onto the organisation's network. Include in your answer any issues that may occur and how they can be avoided.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[1]
State the purpose of applications software.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3[6]
The headteacher at Tawara School is planning to improve the registration system for pupils. The headteacher can choose a system that uses either ID cards with a magnetic stripe or scanners that read handprints. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using a system that will read handprints.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q10c[5]
A search engine could be used to find the bank's website. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a search engine to find the website.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q1a[1]
State one reason why analogue data has to be converted to digital data.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q1b[1]
State one reason why digital data might have to be converted to analogue data.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[1]
Software that the user requires to carry out a task is called
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[1]
Software that the computer requires to operate is called
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q2c[1]
The collective name for the physical components of a computer is
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q2d[1]
The component used to process instructions in a computer is called
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[4]
Describe the differences between backing storage and internal memory.
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What examiners said

This question was about the purpose of application software and was well answered by many of the candidates. Candidates correctly described the role of application software in helping users perform specific tasks. Some candidates gave valid examples to further support their answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q2(b) (Cambridge)

This question was quite well answered by many of the candidates who were able to gain three of the six marks available. The question related to the use of handprints to register candidates. Some candidates reverted to the use of fingerprints and where this occurred the Examiners marked the first instance wrong and then gave a follow through mark for other instances, this may not be the case in fut...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q3 (Cambridge)

Surprisingly this question on the use of a search engine was challenging for many of the candidates. Candidates were able to give the positives of using a search engine but gave less answers on the negatives. Many candidates gave correct answers relating to the speed of the search and good negatives relating to information overload.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q10(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.

Download 0983 papers

In the syllabus

1 0417.1.1.01 — Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer system

Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer system
Internal components including Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor, motherboard
Internal memory including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM)
Hardware components including graphics card, sound card, Network Interface Card (NIC), camera, internal/external storage devices, input and output devices
Software are programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data
Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task
Examples of applications software including word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control, measurement, applets and apps, video editing, graphics editing, audio editing, computer aided design (CAD)
System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate
Examples of system software including compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities
Characteristics of analogue and digital data
Differences between analogue and digital data
The need to convert: • analogue to digital data so it can be processed by a computer • digital data to analogue data so it can be used to control devices

2 0417.1.1.02 — Internal components including Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor, motherboard

Internal components including Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor, motherboard

3 0417.1.1.03 — Internal memory including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM)

Internal memory including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM)

4 0417.1.1.04 — Hardware components including graphics card, sound card, Network Interface Card (NIC), camera, internal/external storage devices, input and

Hardware components including graphics card, sound card, Network Interface Card (NIC), camera, internal/external storage devices, input and output devices

5 0417.1.1.05 — Software are programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data

Software are programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data

6 0417.1.1.06 — Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task

Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task

7 0417.1.1.07 — Examples of applications software including word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control, measurement, applets and app

Examples of applications software including word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control, measurement, applets and apps, video editing, graphics editing, audio editing, computer aided design (CAD)

8 0417.1.1.08 — System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate

System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate

9 0417.1.1.09 — Examples of system software including compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities

Examples of system software including compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities

10 0417.1.1.10 — Characteristics of analogue and digital data

Characteristics of analogue and digital data

11 0417.1.1.11 — Differences between analogue and digital data

Differences between analogue and digital data

12 0417.1.1.12 — The need to convert: • analogue to digital data so it can be processed by a computer • digital data to analogue data so it can be used to co

The need to convert: • analogue to digital data so it can be processed by a computer • digital data to analogue data so it can be used to control devices

13 0417.1.2.01 — The role of the CPU in processing instructions entered into the computer in order to produce an output

The role of the CPU in processing instructions entered into the computer in order to produce an output
Characteristics of ROM and RAM
Differences between ROM and RAM
Characteristics of input and output devices
Differences between input and output devices
Characteristics of backing storage
Differences between backing storage and internal memory

14 0417.1.2.02 — Characteristics of ROM and RAM

Characteristics of ROM and RAM

15 0417.1.2.03 — Differences between ROM and RAM

Differences between ROM and RAM

16 0417.1.2.04 — Characteristics of input and output devices

Characteristics of input and output devices

17 0417.1.2.05 — Differences between input and output devices

Differences between input and output devices

18 0417.1.2.06 — Characteristics of backing storage

Characteristics of backing storage

19 0417.1.2.07 — Differences between backing storage and internal memory

Differences between backing storage and internal memory

20 0417.1.3.01 — Characteristics of operating systems including: Command Line Interface (CLI), Graphical User Interface (GUI), dialogue based and gesture bas

Characteristics of operating systems including: Command Line Interface (CLI), Graphical User Interface (GUI), dialogue based and gesture based interface
Differences between types of operating systems
Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of operating systems

21 0417.1.3.02 — Differences between types of operating systems

Differences between types of operating systems

22 0417.1.3.03 — Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of operating systems

Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of operating systems

23 0417.1.4.01 — Characteristics of a desktop computer

Characteristics of a desktop computer
Uses of a desktop computer including office and business management, education, gaming and entertainment
Characteristics of mobile computers including laptop computers, smartphones, tablet and phablet computers
Uses of mobile computers including office and business management, education, gaming, entertainment and remotely controlled devices
Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of computer including portability and expandability

24 0417.1.4.02 — Uses of a desktop computer including office and business management, education, gaming and entertainment

Uses of a desktop computer including office and business management, education, gaming and entertainment

25 0417.1.4.03 — Characteristics of mobile computers including laptop computers, smartphones, tablet and phablet computers

Characteristics of mobile computers including laptop computers, smartphones, tablet and phablet computers

26 0417.1.4.04 — Uses of mobile computers including office and business management, education, gaming, entertainment and remotely controlled devices

Uses of mobile computers including office and business management, education, gaming, entertainment and remotely controlled devices

27 0417.1.4.05 — Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of computer including portability and expandability

Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of computer including portability and expandability

28 Emerging technologies

Impact on everyday life including Artificial Intelligence (AI), extended reality (virtual and augmented)

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