Exam Questions

1. Exam Questions Jordan O’Reilly ~GilbyRehbein May/June 2009 Scenario 2

2. Scenario 2 Questions 3 and 4 The July 23rd Hospital in Cairo is improving its existing computer system to make it more efficient. They currently have separate systems for storing: • staff records • payroll records. One single database is required which will store all this data. A systems analyst is being employed to analyse the existing system and then design a new system.

3. Question 3 (a) Scenario: They currently have separate systems for storing: • staff records • payroll records. A systems analyst is being employed to analyse the existing system and then design a new system. Describe three different methods the systems analyst could use to collect information about the existing system and describe situations where each could be used. Marks: [6] Lines: 14

5. Description of situations where interviewing is used – when there is sufficient time/when it isrelatively easy to get people together/interview a small number of workers to get a snapshotof the existing system

6. Examining documents used in current system

7. Description of situation where examining the documents is necessary – where there is lots ofpaperwork

8. Observing employees and watching over the whole process

9. Description of situation where using observation is needed – where gaining an accurate viewof what exactly goes on would be difficult otherwise/gaining a broad overview of processes would be difficult otherwise/where workers cannot be interrupted

10. Distributing questionnaires to employees using written questions to gather responses/wherewhole workforce response is required

11. Description of situation where using questionnaires is advisable – when it is difficult to get people together/to save time in gathering responsesAllow only three methods

12. Examiner’s Report 3 (a) Many candidates misread the question and thought it was a ‘discuss’ question. A number of candidates were able to describe three methods although some failed to notice that the scenario related to a payroll and staff record system and not a medical system. Very few went on to identify situations where each method could be used. A small minority gave one word or very simplistic answers.

13. Question 3 (b) Scenario: The July 23rd Hospital in Cairo is improving its existing computer system to make it more efficient. They currently have separate systems for storing: • staff records • payroll records. The existing payroll system stores the data in an ordered sequential manner so that it can be updated monthly. Describe how the master payroll file is updated using a transaction file containing details of workers’ records for amendments, deletions and insertions. Marks: [6] Lines: 13

15. First record in the transaction file read

16. Reads first record in the old master file

17. If records don’t match computer writes master file record to new master file

19. ….using data from the transaction file

21. If amendment, data in transaction file written to master file

22. Process is repeated until end of old master file

24. Question 4 (a) Scenario: One single database is required which will store all this data. A systems analyst is being employed to analyse the existing system and then design a new system. The systems analyst has decided that the staff records and the payroll records should be combined into a relational database. Describe what a relational database is. Marks: [5] Lines: 13

26. For example a payroll table and a staff table

27. Tables are linked to each other…

28. … using a key field

29. For example the employee ID

30. This field is part of other table(s)

31. Data from one table combined with data from other table(s) when producing reports.

32. Can select different fields from each table for output

34. Question 4 (b) Scenario: One single database is required which will store all this data. A systems analyst is being employed to analyse the existing system and then design a new system. (b) Explain why the systems analyst has decided that a relational database would be preferred to two separate files. Marks: [3] Lines: 8

36. Data retrieval is quicker/easier to search for information

37. If data was duplicated hackers would have easier access to data

38. Easier to expand

39. Data only needs to be amended once

41. Question 4 (c) Scenario: The July 23rd Hospital in Cairo is improving its existing computer system to make it more efficient. They currently have separate systems for storing: • staff records • payroll records. (c) Validation rules will need to be designed. Using examples of fields that would be found in the hospital’s payroll file, describe the validation checks which could be needed. Marks: [6] Lines: 14

43. Works number/tax code/social security number/sort code/account number

44. Description of format/picture check

45. Works number/tax code/social security number/sort code/date of birth

46. Description of invalid character check

47. Tax Code/sort code/account number/number of days

48. Description of length check

49. Works number/Social security number/sort code/account number

50. Description of range check

51. Income tax/gross pay/net pay/number of daysOne mark for description of validation check One mark for matched field

53. Account number

54. Description of Boolean check

55. Gender

56. Description of presence check

57. Works number/tax code/sort code/account number/social security number/gender/rate of pay/date of birth/number of days

58. Description of existency check

59. Works numberOne mark for description of validation check One mark for matched field

60. Examiner’s Report 4 (c) This was a much more poorly answered question than expected. Many candidates failed to even demonstrate a basic IGCSE level of knowledge of validation. Quite a number of candidates ignored the question which asked them to use examples of fields found in a payroll file and were therefore unable to gain marks. A number managed to link a field with a validation check but were unable to describe the validation check in any detail.

61. Question 4 (d) Scenario: A systems analyst is being employed to analyse the existing system and then design a new system. (d) After the system has been created it will need to be tested. Using examples of payroll data, describe this testing and how any needed improvements would be identified as a result. Marks: [6] Lines: 14

63. If error produced – description of improvement required

64. Testing (each module) with live data including description

65. If difference between live and actual results – description of improvement required

66. Testing (each module) with abnormal data including appropriate example

67. If error not produced – description of improvement required

68. Testing (each module) with extreme data including appropriate example

69. If error produced – description of improvement required

70. Testing whole system including examples of data

72. The End General Comments “It was encouraging that there were a larger number of candidates, than had been the case in previoussessions, who appeared to have been well prepared for this assessment; however, there are still a large number who were not.” “There were a number of very high-scoring candidates but still very many who did notperform well.” “In this paper, as with any exam paper at this standard, candidates are required to show a level of understanding as well as a depth of knowledge.” “Candidates are required, in ‘discuss’ and ‘explain’ questions, to expand on the bullet points given in the mark scheme not just repeat them. They need to show an understanding of the scenario.” “Centres are reminded that this is ‘Applied ICT’ and candidate are expected apply their knowledge to the context of the scenario.” Jordan O’Really? ~GilbyRibeinajuice