These ten questions are original and use invented organisations. They mix requirements, data collection, form design, implementation and evaluation, and run from easy to harder. Attempt each on paper, then open the answer and compare.
Check the current Cambridge syllabus page for the exact wording of the course. The ideas here are from the ICT applications and system lifecycle module.
Q1 (easy). A dental clinic (invented) says appointment cards get lost and nurses cannot see the day’s list. Write two user requirements.
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Examples: “Store each appointment electronically so it cannot be lost” and “Display a list of today’s appointments for the nurses”. Each ties to a problem in the case.
Q2 (easy). State whether “use a modern cloud database” is a requirement or a solution.
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A solution. It names how, not what. The requirement is the need it answers, such as “keep records safely and accessible from two rooms”.
Q3. A school wants opinions from 600 pupils on a new library app. Name the most suitable data-collection method and give one weakness.
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A questionnaire, because it reaches many people quickly. Weakness: pupils may skip questions and there is no chance to ask follow-ups.
Q4. Which method would show how a cashier really handles a refund?
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Observation, because it shows actual behaviour. An interview shows only what the cashier says they do.
Q5. Design validation for a field “Quantity ordered” where a shop accepts 1 to 50 items.
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A range check, 1 to 50, and a type check so that only whole numbers are accepted. A presence check can make it compulsory. Example rejected values: 0, 75, “five”.
Q6. Why should a phone number field have a text data type rather than a number type?
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You never calculate with phone numbers, and a number type would remove leading zeros. Text keeps the digits exactly as entered.
Q7. A company with one site and a failed old system must switch to a new one. Choose an implementation method and justify.
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Direct. The old system no longer works, so it cannot run alongside. Training and risk are limited because there is one site.
Q8. A chain with four stores enters 500 records per store at 25 records per hour. How many hours of entry in total, and how many for a one-store pilot?
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Total records 4 × 500 = 2,000. Hours 2,000 ÷ 25 = 80 hours. A pilot at one store is 500 ÷ 25 = 20 hours.
Check: 20 × 4 = 80.
Q9. Explain the difference between a pilot and a phased implementation.
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A pilot gives the whole system to one location or group first. Phased brings in one part of the system at a time across the organisation.
Q10 (harder). A requirement says “produce a monthly sales report”. In a trial the report appeared, but one product was missing. A cashier’s task time fell from 90 seconds to 55 seconds. Evaluate, and calculate the time saved per task.
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Judgement: the report requirement is partly met, because the output exists but is incomplete. Suggest checking why the product is missing, for example how its records are stored.
Efficiency: 90 − 55 = 35 seconds saved per task, a clear improvement.
If you got these wrong
| Error | Revisit |
|---|---|
| Wrote solutions or vague wishes as requirements (Q1, Q2) | Extract user requirements |
| Picked a method without using the case (Q3, Q4) | Choose a data-collection method |
| Mismatched validation or data types (Q5, Q6) | Design an input form |
| Mixed up pilot and phased, or ignored cost (Q7 to Q9) | Compare direct and phased implementation |
| Judged without evidence (Q10) | Evaluate a system |
Log repeated errors in the mistake log and retest queue, and test form and query ideas in the read-only SQL practice lab. The ICT practical task and evidence checker helps you organise evidence.
If one row of this table keeps filling up, our team’s online one-to-one ICT tuition can focus on it with you.