1.2.3 Software Development Exam Questions
Paper 1 · Computer Systems · 3 past paper questions · 5 practice questions · 38 marks
Exam questions for 1.2.3 Software development
3 OCR past paper questions and 5 practice questions (38 marks) with mark schemes
Answer each question, reveal the mark scheme, then award yourself marks. Scores and answers are saved in this browser so you can see which topics need more work.
Download Questions & Mark Scheme (PDF)Past paper questions
- Question 1H446/01 · June 20229 marks
A programmer has been asked by a client to create a complex computer program. Compare the spiral model and waterfall lifecycle methodologies for this task. You should include: how both methodologies could be used to develop a complex computer program, the benefits of each methodology for this task, the drawbacks of each methodology for this task.
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Levels of response question (9 marks) AO1: The spiral model has four quadrants (determine objectives, identify and manage risk, develop and test, plan next iteration). Client feedback informs future development and prototypes. Waterfall has structured analysis/design/development/test flow. Progress to next step only after previous step completed. AO2: Spiral model relies on frequent client feedback, produces functional prototypes where features are added incrementally. More focus on risk; projects may be modified or dropped if risk too great. Waterfall is more structured and reliant on getting requirements correct at start; changes harder to add later. Forces definition to be well understood. AO3: Spiral involves client feedback, prototypes and evolving projects - better where requirements may change. Waterfall better where requirements are clear and outcomes known. Spiral better for risk management. Waterfall may be more appropriate with large teams due to clearly defined responsibilities.Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 9 - Question 2H446/01 · June 20194 marks
A company makes anti-virus software. Anti-virus software is an example of a utility. In order to keep up to date with the latest virus threats, the company is continually updating their software. The programmers use an Extreme Programming approach when developing the updates. Explain what is meant by Extreme Programming and why it is a suitable approach in this case.
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Extreme programming is a software development methodology Focus is on good quality code It is an agile paradigm - designed to allow development to respond to changing user requirements Involves paired programing Program is regularly reviewed / iterative process Suited to this scenario as: Types of virus/threat is continually changing/updating. In order to detect virus effectively there needs to be an emphasis on code quality. (4 marks - 1 per bullet, max 4)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 3H446/01 · June 20174 marks
A software development team is writing a word game. The team is using Rapid Application Development. Describe the Rapid Application Development process.
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Prototype is created (Evaluated and) feedback used to inform next iteration Any changes are made Process repeated until... prototype becomes final product (4 marks - 1 per bullet)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 4Practice question · H446/01 style4 marks
A small company wants a stock-control system. Its requirements have been fully documented and are unlikely to change. Explain why the waterfall lifecycle is suitable for this project and describe one drawback of using it.
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Suitable because: • Requirements are fixed / well understood, so each stage can be completed in order • Clear milestones and documentation make progress easy to plan and manage Drawback (any one, described): • Testing happens late, so errors found late are expensive to fix • The customer sees no working software until the end • Difficult / costly to go back and change requirements once a stage is complete (4 marks – max 2 for suitability, max 2 for a described drawback)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 5Practice question · H446/01 style4 marks
Describe two practices used in extreme programming (XP) and explain how each one improves the quality of the code produced.
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1 mark for each practice, 1 mark for each explanation, e.g.: • Pair programming – one programmer writes while the other reviews, so errors are spotted immediately • Test-driven development / tests written before the code – code must pass the tests, so defects are caught early • Continuous integration / small frequent releases – problems are found quickly because code is merged and tested often • Refactoring / simple design – code is kept clean and easy to maintain • On-site customer – requirements are clarified straight away, so the right thing is built (4 marks – max 2 practices)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4 - Question 6Practice question · H446/01 style6 marks
A games studio is developing a new game and expects the requirements to change frequently as players test early versions. Compare rapid application development (RAD) and the waterfall lifecycle for this project, and recommend which the studio should use.
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RAD: • A prototype is built quickly and shown to users / players • Feedback is used to refine the next iteration • Suits projects where requirements change Waterfall: • Sequential stages, each completed before the next begins • Requirements are fixed at the start, so changes are difficult / expensive • No working version until late in the project Recommendation: RAD, because the requirements will change and player feedback is central to the design (1 mark for a justified recommendation) (6 marks – max 3 for RAD, max 3 for waterfall, including the recommendation)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 6 - Question 7Practice question · H446/01 style3 marks
Explain why the spiral model is suited to large projects where the risks are not fully understood at the start.
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• Each loop / iteration begins by identifying and analysing risks • Risks can be reduced (e.g. by prototyping) before more time and money are committed • The project can be changed or abandoned at any loop if the risk is too high • Repeated cycles let the plan be refined as understanding of the problem improves (3 marks – 1 per point, max 3)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 3 - Question 8Practice question · H446/01 style4 marks
An algorithm is written in pseudocode: 01 total = 0 02 for i = 1 to 4 03 total = total + i * i 04 next i 05 print(total) Complete a trace table showing the value of i and total after each iteration of the loop, and state the output of the algorithm.
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Trace (1 mark per correct row, max 3): i = 1, total = 1 i = 2, total = 5 i = 3, total = 14 i = 4, total = 30 Output: 30 (1 mark) (4 marks)Mark yourself: how many marks did you get?/ 4
- 1LMC instructions: ADD, SUB, STA, LDA, BRA, BRZ, BRP, INP, OUT, HLT, DAT
- 2Trace LMC programs with example values - show register states
- 3FOR vs WHILE vs REPEAT: Count-controlled vs Condition before vs Condition after
- 4String handling: length, substring(start, length), concatenation with +
- 5File handling: Always open → process → close (prevents corruption)
- •Practice answering questions under timed conditions
- •Check your answers against the mark scheme carefully
- •Focus on understanding the marking points, not just memorising answers
- •Review past paper questions from multiple years to spot patterns