Learner Guide: Cambridge IGCSE / Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Interactive
Learner Guide
TM
Cambridge IGCSE / Cambridge IGCSE (9–1)
Information and Communication Technology
0417 / 0983
For examination from 2023
Version 1
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Contents
About this guide 4
Section 1: Syllabus content - what you need to know about 5
Section 2: How you will be assessed 6
Section 3: What skills will be assessed 13
Section 4: Example candidate response 14
Section 5: Revision 17
Section 6: Useful websites 44
Learner Guide
About this guide

This guide explains what you need to know about your Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology course
and examinations. You should use this guide alongside the support of your teacher.
It will help you to:
9 understand what skills you should develop by taking this Cambridge IGCSE course
9 understand how you will be assessed
9 understand what we are looking for in the answers you write
9 plan your revision programme
9 revise, by providing revision tips and an interactive revision checklist (Section 5).
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology provides you with the ability to use a broad range of ICT skills
and encourages knowledge and understanding of the development of ICT systems, networks and their safe use.
This course provides you with the ability to understand the rapid change of ICT in a technology-based world and the impact
ICT has on the world.
In a modern ICT based world you need to have the ability to gather, process and manipulate data; this course helps you to
fulfil this.
4 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Learner Guide
Section 1: Syllabus content - what you need to know about

This section gives you an outline of the syllabus content for this course. Ask your teacher for more detail about each topic. You
can also find more detail in the Revision checklists of this guide.
1. Types and components of computer systems
2. Input and output devices
3. Storage devices and media
4. Networks and the effects of using them
5. The effects of using IT
6. ICT applications
7. The systems life cycle
8. Safety and security
9. Audience
10. Communication
11. File management
12. Images
13. Layout
14. Styles
15. Proofing
16. Graphs and charts
17. Document production
18. Databases
19. Presentations
20. Spreadsheets
21. Website authoring
Make sure you always check the latest syllabus, which is available at www.cambridgeinternational.org
Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 5

Learner Guide
Section 2: How you will be assessed

You will be assessed at the end of the course using three components:
• Paper 1 Theory
• Paper 2 Document Production, Databases and Presentations
• Paper 3 Spreadsheets and Website Authoring.
Components at a glance
This table summarises the key information about each examination paper. You can find details and advice on how to approach
each component in the ‘About each paper’ sub-section.
Component Time and Content/Skills assessed Details Percentage of

marks qualification
Paper 1 1hr 30mins Questions will be based on sections 1–21 All questions are 40%
of the subject content. compulsory.
Theory 80 marks
Externally assessed.
Paper 2 2hrs 15mins This test assesses the practical skills You must demonstrate the 30%
needed to use the applications covered practical skills relevant to
Document 70 marks
in sections 17, 18 and 19 of the subject sections 11–16.
Production,
content.
Databases and All tasks are compulsory.
Presentations
Paper 3 2hrs 15mins This test assesses the practical skills You must demonstrate the 30%
needed to use the applications covered practical skills relevant to
Spreadsheets 70 marks
in sections 20 and 21 of the subject sections 11–16.
and Website
content.
Authoring All tasks are compulsory.

Learner Guide
About each paper

Paper 1: Theory
This is a paper consisting of

multiple-choice, short-answer
and structured questions.
Each individual question is set

within separate contexts of ICT
applications in everyday life.

Learner Guide
Paper 2: Document Production, Databases and Presentations
For each of the tasks in this paper, you will be

provided with electronic source files; these
files will be loaded onto your computer
system before the start of the examination
This paper is a practical test which

comprises a number of tasks to be
taken under examination conditions
and focuses on your ability to carry
out practical tasks by applying your
knowledge and understanding to the
following subject content sections:
• Section 17 Document production
• Section 18 Databases
• Section 19 Presentations.
You demonstrate the practical skills
relevant to sections 11–16.
Assessment of the practical tests is software

independent, therefore any hardware platform,
operating system and applications packages can be
used in the practical examinations, provided that
these packages have the facilities to enable you to
fully demonstrate all of the skills, performance criteria
and assessment objectives in the sections mentioned
above. Ask your teacher what you will be using.

Learner Guide
Paper 2: Document Production, Databases and Presentations continued
You work through the steps of each

task in order, and you are prompted to
produce evidence of your work by creating
screenshots and placing these within an
Evidence Document and making printouts.

Learner Guide
Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring
For each of the tasks in this paper,

you will be provided with electronic
source files; these files will be
loaded onto your computer system
before the start of the examination.
This paper is a practical test which

comprises a number of tasks
to be taken under examination
conditions and focuses on your
ability to carry out practical tasks
by applying your knowledge and
understanding to the following
subject content sections:
• Section 20 Spreadsheets
• Section 21 Website authoring.
You demonstrate the practical skills
relevant to sections 11–16.
Assessment of the practical tests is software

independent, therefore any hardware platform,
operating system and applications packages
can be used in the practical examinations,
provided that these packages have the facilities
to enable you to fully demonstrate all of the
skills, performance criteria and assessment
objectives in the sections mentioned above.
Ask your teacher what you will be using.

Learner Guide
Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring continued
You work through the steps of each

task in order, and you are prompted
to produce evidence of your
work by creating screenshots and
placing these within an Evidence
Document and making printouts.

Learner Guide
Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring continued
It is recommended that for the website authoring

section of the syllabus, you should have a working
knowledge of HTML and CSS. You may use suitable
web editing software, but you will be required to
edit the mark-up generated by such a package, or
you may create your own HTML and CSS.

Learner Guide
Section 3: What skills will be assessed

The areas of knowledge, understanding and skills that you will be assessed on are called assessment objectives (AO).
The examiners take account of the following skills areas (assessment objectives) in the examination papers:
• AO1 Recall, select and communicate knowledge and understanding of ICT
• AO2 Apply knowledge, understanding and skills to produce ICT-based solutions
• AO3 Analyse, evaluate, make reasoned judgements and present conclusions
It is important that you know the different weightings (%) of the assessment objectives, as this affects how the examiner will
assess your work. For example, assessment objective 1 is worth 80% of the total marks in Paper 1, but isn’t assessed in Paper 2
and 3, whereas assessment objective 2 is only assessment objective assessed in Papers 2 and 3.
• Assessment objective 1 (AO1) is worth 80% of the total marks on Paper 1
• Assessment objective 2 (AO2) is worth 100% of the total marks on Papers 2 and 3
• Assessment objective 3 (AO3) is worth 20% of the total marks on Paper 1
Assessment objectives (AO) What does the AO mean? What do you need to be able to do?
AO1 This means you will need to You will need to know the definitions of the terms that
remember definitions and are in the syllabus.
Recall, select and
descriptions. In some instances,
communicate knowledge You will need to be able to give descriptions of what
these will be generic. However,
and understanding of ICT something means, or what something is.
in many instances, they will be
linked to a context. You will need to explain how or why something
happens or does not happen.
You will need to be able to link these descriptions and
explanations to given scenarios and contexts. You
should relate every point you give back to the scenario.
AO2 This means you will need You will need to consider what you know and use this
to use your knowledge and in the context given in the various tasks.
Apply knowledge,
practical skills and apply them to
understanding and skills to You will need to use your practical skills to complete
complete the tasks.
produce ICT-based solutions and solve each task.
AO3 This means you will need to You will need to be able to discuss, analyse or evaluate
decide why one decision is more different situations, by, where required, giving the
Analyse, evaluate, make
appropriate than another and advantages and disadvantages.
reasoned judgements and
explain/discuss in detail why.
present conclusions For some questions you may need to be able to give a
reasoned conclusion based on what you have said in
your answer.

Learner Guide
Section 4: Example candidate response

This section takes you through an example question and model answer from a Cambridge IGCSE Information and
Communication Technology specimen paper. It will help you to see how to identify command words within questions and to
understand what is required in your response. A command word is the part of the question that tells you what you need to
do with your knowledge. For example, you might need to describe something, explain something, argue a point of view or list
what you know.
All information and advice in this section is specific to the example question and response/
mode answer being demonstrated. It should give you an idea of how your responses might
be viewed by an examiner but it is not a list of what to do in all questions. In your own
examination, you will need to pay careful attention to what each question is asking you to do.
This section is separated as follows:
Question
Command words have been highlighted and their
meaning explained. This will help you to understand
clearly what is required. For more information go to www.
cambridgeinternational.org/exam-administration/what-to-
expect-on-exams-day/command-words/
Example candidate response

This is an example answer as if by a real candidate in
exam conditions. Good points and problems have been
highlighted.

Learner Guide
Question
Identify requires you to name/select/recognise, in this case

additional equipment for a video-conference. A basic internet
connected desktop computer has already been mentioned, so you
would have to identify three other pieces of hardware that would be
needed for a video-conference. Unlike a laptop computer, desktops
need extra hardware attaching to them to enable video-conferencing.
State requires you to express in clear terms what the

technician would need to do. If you think through the
process a technician might go through setting up the
hardware for the video-conference, you will realise
that there are more than three possible answers to this
question, so choose three and state them clearly. Your
answer to (a) should help you answer this question.

Learner Guide
Example candidate response
Webcam
The candidate is correct. Alternative
Microphone answers such as ‘Video camera’ or
‘Headphones’ would have been acceptable.
Speakers
3 marks out of 3
Connect the webcam, microphone and speakers to the

desktop
Test the webcam, microphone and speakers to make sure they
are working properly
Check that the internet connection is stable
The candidate is correct. Alternative answers could

have included ensuring that all the hardware was
switched on, adjusting the webcam so that it shows
the head teacher properly, and adjusting volume levels.
3 marks out of 3

Learner Guide
Section 5: Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice for all papers and more
specific advice for Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, Paper 4, Paper 5 and Paper 6.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.
General advice
Before the examination
Find out when the examinations are and plan your revision so you have time to revise. Create a revision timetable and
divide it into sections to cover each topic.
Find out how long each paper is, how many questions you have to answer, how many marks there are for each question,
and work out how long you have for each question.
Know the meaning of the command words used in questions and how to apply them to the information given. Look at
past examination papers and highlight the command words and check what they mean.
Make revision notes. Try different styles of notes.
Work for short periods then have a break. Revise small sections of the syllabus at a time.
Test yourself by writing out key points, redrawing diagrams, creating key cards with the words on one side and definitions
and/or examples on the back. etc.
Make sure you define ICT terms accurately. E.g. verification is not just checking data is correct, but it is a way of
preventing errors when data is copied from one medium to another (for example, from paper to disk).
Definitions must not reuse the words to be defined. E.g. validation is not validating whether the data is correct, but it is a
process where data is checked to see if it satisfies certain criteria when input into a computer, e.g. to see if the data falls
within accepted boundaries.
Make your own dictionary or draw up a glossary of key terms for each section of the syllabus.
Practise creating web pages and CSS stylesheets. Make sure you understand fully the syntax of both CSS and html. Test
them, do all the links work correctly? Does the web page work as you expect?
Practise using all the different types of spreadsheet functions you need and make sure you are confident of the syntax of
the more complicated ones, e.g. nested IF, COUNTIF, SUMIF
Have a look at past questions so that you are clear of what to expect in an examination.
Look at mark schemes to help you to understand how the marks are awarded for each question.
In the examination
Read the instructions carefully and answer the right number of questions from the right sections.
Do not answer more questions than are needed, as this will not gain you more marks in the examination.
Plan your time according to the marks for each question. For example, a question worth three marks requires less time
and a shorter answer than one worth 10 marks. If a question has several parts, then the parts with more marks will need
more time and more developed answers.
Do not leave out questions or parts of questions. Remember, no answer means no mark.
Read each question very carefully.
• Identify the command words – you could underline or highlight them.
• Identify the other key words and perhaps underline them too.
• Try to put the question into your own words to understand what it is really asking.
Read all parts of a question before starting your answer. Think carefully about what is needed for each part. You will not
need to repeat material.

Learner Guide
Look very carefully at the resource material you are given.

• Read the title, key, axes of graphs, etc. to find out exactly what it is showing you.
• Look for dates, scale, and location.
• Try using coloured pencils or pens to pick out anything that the question asks you about.
Answer the question. This is very important!
Use your knowledge and understanding.
Do not just write all you know, only write what is needed to answer the question.
Plan your answers. Clear, concise, well-ordered, well-argued, well-supported answers get more marks than long,
rambling, muddled, repetitious answers. Quality is better than quantity.
Use ICT terms in your answers as much as possible.
When printing out work in the two practical examinations, make sure all your candidate details are on each page to be
printed before you send it to the printer. Printed out work with hand-written candidate details on will not be marked.
Make sure your writing is clear and easy to read. It is no good writing a brilliant answer if the examiner cannot read it!
Paper 1 advice
Check the command word that is used in the question, for example 'describe' requires more than a simple statement.
Check whether tick box questions require one or more than one tick per row. If it is one then make sure you do not put
two. If more than one tick is required, check each row and possibility carefully, as at least one row may require two or
more ticks.
If a question gives a context and the wording of the command word refers back to this context, then make sure you use it
in your answer. Do not just give a generic answer, use the context in each point you make.
If a question asks you for the advantages and disadvantages, make sure you give both and more that one of each.
If a question asks you to 'compare and contrast' make sure you give both, e.g. some aspects that are the same and some
aspects that are different between the items.
Remember, no marks are awarded if you use brand names in your answers, e.g. do not use Microsoft Excel, but instead
say spreadsheet software.
To achieve high marks in any discussion or longer style questions, you must give more than a statement in your answer.
You can achieve this by expanding on any points made. Using bullet points or listing points in columns do allow for
discussion and will not gain you many marks.
If you need to expand any answer beyond the allocated number of answer lines and use any of the white space in the
question paper or additional sheets, you should clearly indicate in the original answer where the additional information or
replacement answer can be found.
Paper 2 advice
Make sure you have the correct electronic source files on your computer before you start and that they are all there.
When you have completed the presentation task, make sure that you have nothing overlapping on any of your slides, e.g.
a logo does not overlap the slide title.
When you are ready to print out the database report, check to see how many pages there are to print. Normally there
would not be any more than three pages to print out. If you have more than this, go back and check your search criteria
for errors. Also, check your report carefully to make sure all the data, including the title and column headings are fully
visible, with nothing truncated.
When printing out work, make sure all your candidate details are on each page to be printed before you send it to the
printer. Printed out work with hand-written candidate details on will not be marked.
When you have completed the word document task, make sure you have no widows or orphans and that the document is
still intact, e.g. nothing is missing from the original content that should still be there.
Make sure you print out all your work that you want to be marked. Do not leave all the printing until the end of the
examination. Print out your work as you complete each task as indicated in the question paper.

Learner Guide
Text you need to enter as part of a question is displayed in bold on the question paper. To achieve the data entry marks
this text must be keyed exactly as shown, including punctuation and capitalisation. Check this carefully before you print
your work. Good proofing skills are important for this examination.
You will need to produce screenshots to evidence your work for some tasks. Make sure these screenshots are large
enough for the examiner to read easily without the need for them to use magnification. Also, make sure your screenshots
do not have important information cropped off, which could lose you marks.
You should cross through any draft work you do not want to be marked. If you submit multiple copies without any draft
versions being crossed through, only the first occurrence of each page will be marked.
It is essential that you print out your Evidence Document, even if you have not completed all the tasks, towards the
end of the examination time, as this document will contain supporting evidence which could improve your examination
marks.
Paper 3 advice
Make sure you have the correct electronic source files on your computer before you start and that they are all there.
Make sure you print out all your work that you want to be marked. Do not leave all the printing until the end of the
examination. Print out your work as you complete each task as indicated in the question paper.
When printing out work, make sure all your candidate details are on each page to be printed before you send it to the
printer. Printed out work with hand-written candidate details on will not be marked.
Text you need to enter as part of a question is displayed in bold on the question paper. To achieve the data entry marks
this text must be keyed exactly as shown, including punctuation and capitalisation. Check this carefully before you print
your work. Good proofing skills are important for this examination.
You will need to produce screenshots to evidence your work for some tasks. Make sure these screenshots are larger
enough for the examiner to read easily without the need for them to use magnification. Also, make sure your screenshots
do not have important information cropped off, which could lose you marks.
You should cross through any draft work you do not want to be marked. If you submit multiple copies without any draft
versions being crossed through, only the first occurrence of each page will be marked.
It is essential that you print out your Evidence Document, even if you have not completed all the tasks, towards the
end of the examination time, as this document will contain supporting evidence which could improve your examination
marks.
Make sure you take great care when formatting your spreadsheet. In particular regarding any setting of row heights and
column widths, so that they match both the question and the data or labels contained in the cells.
When printing out any formulae from your spreadsheet, make sure they are fully visible and are large enough for the
examiner to read with the naked eye. Remember, if the examiner cannot fully read your work, you will lose marks.

Learner Guide
Revision checklists
In the next part of this guide we have provided some revision checklists. These include information from the syllabus that you should revise. They don’t contain all the detailed knowledge
you need to know, just an overview. For more detail see the syllabus and talk to your teacher.
The table headings are explained below:
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments

These are the core topics Content in the syllabus you need to You can use the tick boxes to show when you have revised You can:
from the syllabus cover an item and how confident you feel about it.
• add further information of your own, such
R = RED means you are really unsure and lack confidence; as names of case studies needed
you might want to focus your revision here and possibly • add learning aids, such as rhymes, poems or
talk to your teacher for help word play
A = AMBER means you are reasonably confident but need • pinpoint areas of difficulty you need to
some extra practice check further with your teacher or textbooks
G = GREEN means you are very confident. • include reference to a useful resource
As your revision progresses, you can concentrate on the

RED and AMBER items in order to turn them into GREEN
items. You might find it helpful to highlight each topic in
red, orange or green to help you prioritise.
Note: the tables below cannot contain absolutely everything you need to know, but it does use examples wherever it can.

Learner Guide
1 Types and components of computer systems

1.1 Hardware and software 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
1.2 The main components of The role of the CPU in processing instructions entered into the computer in
computer systems order to produce an output
Characteristics of ROM and RAM
Differences between ROM and RAM

Learner Guide

Characteristics of input and output devices
Differences between input and output devices
Characteristics of backing storage
Differences between backing storage and internal memory
1.3 Operating systems 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
1.4 Types of 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
1.5 Emerging technologies Impact on everyday life including Artificial Intelligence (AI), extended reality
(virtual and augmented)
2 Input and output devices

2.1 Input devices and their Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of input devices including:
uses keyboard, numeric keypad, pointing devices, remote control, joystick/driving
wheel, touch screen (as an input device), scanners, camera, microphone, sensors,
light pen

Learner Guide

2.2 Direct data entry and Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of direct data entry
associated devices devices including: magnetic stripe reader, chip and PIN reader, Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) reader, Optical Mark Recognition/Reader (OMR), Optical
Character Recognition/Reader (OCR), bar code reader, QR scanner
2.3 Output devices and Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of output devices including:
their uses monitors, touch screen (as an output device), multimedia projector, laser printer,
inkjet printer, dot matrix printer, plotter, 3D printers, speaker, actuator
3 Storage devices and media

3 Storage devices and Characteristics, uses, media, advantages and disadvantages of storage devices
media including magnetic, optical and solid-state
Magnetic drives including fixed and portable magnetic hard drives, magnetic
tape drives
Optical drives including CD, DVD, Blu-ray
Fixed and portable solid-state drive (SSD) including SSD, pen drive, flash drive
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of storage media including

magnetic, optical and solid-state
Magnetic drives including magnetic hard disks, magnetic tape
Optical discs including CD, DVD, Blu-ray
Solid-state media including memory cards (SD, xD, CFast)
4 Networks and the effects of using them

4.1 Networks The operation and purpose of a router including:
• connecting networks and devices to the internet
• storing computer addresses in a router
• routing data packets

Learner Guide

Common network devices Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs,
bridges, switches
The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth
Connecting a device to a network using:

• wi-fi
• Bluetooth
Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi
The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing
How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing
Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other

methods
Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet
The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet and the internet
Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area
Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks
4.2 Network issues and Privacy and confidentiality of data transfer
communication
Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly
changing passwords
The differences between strong and weak passwords
Other authentication methods including: zero login, biometric methods,

magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens
The use of anti-malware and anti-virus software
The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software
Scanning the storage media used to transfer data

Learner Guide

Scanning the data/software when downloading
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing,

audio-conferencing, web-conferencing
The hardware, software and network connection required to set up each type of
electronic conference
5 The effects of using IT

5.1 Microprocessor- The positive and negative effects of microprocessors/smart devices in
controlled devices monitoring and controlling devices in the home including the impact on lifestyle,
leisure time, physical fitness, security of data, the degree of social interaction
The positive and negative effects of microprocessors/smart devices in
monitoring and controlling transport including security of data, autonomous
vehicles, transport safety
5.2 Potential health Health issues including: repetitive strain injury (RSI), back problems, eye
problems related to problems, headaches
the prolonged use of IT The causes of these health issues and strategies for preventing them
equipment
6 ICT applications
6.1 Communication Communication media characteristics and uses including newsletters, posters,
websites, multimedia presentations, audio, video, media streaming and
ePublications
The use of mobile devices for communication including: SMS messaging, phone
calls, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video calls, accessing the internet
6.2 Modelling applications Computer modelling including: personal finance, bridge and building design,
flood water management, traffic management, weather forecasting
Advantages and disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

Learner Guide

6.3 Computer controlled Including: robotics in manufacture, production line control, autonomous vehicles
systems
Advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather
than humans
6.4 School management Systems are used to manage learner registration and attendance
systems
Systems are used to record learner performance including computer aided
learning
6.5 Booking systems Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of online booking systems
including travel industry, concerts, cinemas, sporting events
6.6 Banking applications Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Automatic Teller
Machines (ATM) including: withdrawing cash, depositing cash or cheques,
checking account balance, mini statements, bill paying, money transfers
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of Electronic Funds Transfer
(EFT), credit/debit card transactions, cheques, internet banking
6.7 Computers in medicine Information systems in medicine - Characteristics and uses of patient records,
pharmacy records
3D printers - Including printing of prosthetics, tissue engineering, artificial blood
vessels, customised medicines
6.8 Expert systems Characteristics, uses and purpose of expert systems including mineral
prospecting, car engine fault diagnosis, medical diagnosis, chess games, financial
planning, route scheduling for delivery vehicles, plant and animal identification
Components of an expert system: user interface, inference engine, knowledge
base, rules base, explanation system
How an expert system is used to produce possible solutions for different
scenarios
6.9 Computers in the retail Characteristics and uses of computers in the retail industry including point of
industry sale (POS) terminals and electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS)
terminals
Point of sale (POS) terminals including updating stock files automatically and
ordering new stock automatically

Learner Guide

Electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals including checking
of the validity of cards, the use of chip and PIN, the use of contactless cards, the
use of Near Field Communication (NFC) payment, the communication between
the supermarket computer and the bank computer
Internet shopping - Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of internet
shopping
6.10 Recognition systems Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of:
• Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) including school registers, multiple-choice
examination papers, barcode, QR code
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) including automated number plate
recognition (ANPR) systems
• Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) including tracking stock,
passports, automobiles, contactless payment
• Near Field Communication (NFC) including payment using a smartphone
• Biometric recognition including face, iris, retina, finger, thumb, hand, voice
6.11 Satellite systems Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of satellite systems
including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite navigation, Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), media communication systems (satellite television,
satellite phone)
7 The systems life cycle

7.1 Analysis Analysis of the current system - Characteristics, uses, advantages and
disadvantages of the research methods of observation, interviews,
questionnaires and examination of existing documents
Record and analyse information about the current system - The need to identify
the inputs, outputs and processing of the current system, problems with the
current system, the user and information requirements for the new system
System specification - Identify and justify suitable hardware and software for
the new system
7.2 Design Design file/data structures, input formats, output formats and validation
routines
File/data structures including field length, field name, data type, coding of data
for example M for male, F for female

Learner Guide

Validation routines including range check, character check, length check, type
check, format check, presence check, check digit
Input formats including data capture forms
Output formats including screen layouts and report layouts
7.3 Development and The need to test the system before implementation
testing
Test designs, test strategies, test plan (test data, expected outcomes, actual
outcomes, remedial action) following testing
Test designs including the testing of data structures, file structures, input
formats, output formats and validation routines
Test strategies including to test each module, each function and the whole
system
The definition, characteristics and use of test data using normal, abnormal and
extreme data
The use of live data
7.4 Implementation System implementation - Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of

the four methods of implementation, direct changeover, parallel running, pilot
running, phased implementation
7.5 Documentation Characteristics, uses and purpose of technical and user documentation
Components of technical documentation including: purpose of the system/

program, limitations of the system, program listing, program language, program
flowcharts/algorithms, system flowcharts, hardware and software requirements,
file structures, list of variables, input format, output format, sample runs/test
runs, validation routines
Components of user documentation including: purpose of the system,
limitations of the system, hardware and software requirements, how to load/
run/install software, how to save a file, how to print data, how to add records,
how to delete/edit records, input format, output format, sample runs, error
messages, error handling, troubleshooting guide/helpline, frequently asked
questions, glossary of terms

Learner Guide

7.6 Evaluation Evaluate a solution including the efficiency of the solution, the ease of use of the
solution, and the appropriateness of the solution
Compare the solution with the original task requirements, identify any
limitations and necessary improvements to the system, evaluate the users’
responses to the results of testing the system
8 Safety and security

8.1 Physical safety Safety issues including: electrocution from spilling drinks near electrical
equipment and touching live cables, fire from sockets being overloaded or
equipment overheating, tripping over trailing cables, heavy equipment falling
and injuring people
The causes of these safety issues and strategies for preventing them
8.2 eSafety The principles of a typical data protection act and why data protection
legislation is required
Characteristics of personal and sensitive data including personal name, address,
date of birth, a photograph in school uniform, medical history
The need for personal data to be kept confidential and protected to avoid
inappropriate disclosure
The need for eSafety when using the internet, email, social media, online gaming
Minimise the potential danger of using:

• The internet including only using trusted websites recommended by
teachers, using a search engine that only allows access to age appropriate
websites
• Email including an awareness of the potential dangers of opening or replying
to an email from an unknown person. An awareness of the risks associated
with sending personal identifiable data or images via email
• Social media including knowing how to block and report unwanted users,
an awareness of the potential dangers of meeting an online contact face to
face, avoiding the distribution of inappropriate images, avoiding the use of
inappropriate language, respecting confidentiality of personal data of other
people

Learner Guide

• Online gaming including not using real names, not giving out personal or
financial data
8.3 Security of data Characteristics and effect of threats to data including hacking, phishing,
pharming, smishing, vishing, viruses, malware, card fraud
Hacking including the measures that must be taken in order to protect data
Phishing, pharming, smishing, vishing including the methods that can be used to
help prevent them
Viruses and malware including how to take preventative action to avoid the
danger of infecting a computer from a downloaded file
Card fraud including shoulder surfing, card cloning, key logging
Characteristics and methods of protecting data including biometrics,

digital certificate, secure socket layer (SSL), encryption, firewall, two-factor
authentication, user id and password
Biometrics including the use of biometric data
Digital certificate including its purpose and contents
Secure socket layer (SSL) including encrypted links between the server and the
client computer
Encryption including its purpose for the protection of data on hard discs, email,
cloud, HTTPS websites
Firewall including its purpose
Two-factor authentication including its purpose and function
User id and password including how they are used to increase the security of
data
9 Audience
9.1 Audience appreciation Show a clear sense of audience and purpose

Learner Guide

Planning ICT solutions that are responsive to and respectful of the needs of an
audience
Analyse the needs of an audience when creating ICT solutions
9.2 Copyright The need for copyright legislation and the principles of copyright relating to
computer software (e.g. software piracy)
The methods that software producers employ to prevent software copyright
legislation being broken
10 Communication
10.1 Communication with Characteristics, uses and constraints of email communication including
other ICT users using email acceptable language, guidelines set by an employer, the need for security,
netiquette, email groups, carbon copy (cc), blind carbon copy (bcc), forward,
attachments
Characteristics and effects of spam email including the methods which can be
used to help prevent spam
10.2 Effective use of the Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of using the internet
internet including the differences
between the internet, an intranet, an extranet and the World Wide Web
(WWW), blog, forum, wiki, social networking
Functionality including Internet Service Provider (ISP), structure of a web
address, Uniform Resource Locator (URL), hyperlink, web browser
Use of search engine including speed of searching, amount of information, the
speed of finding relevant information, ease of finding reliable information
Evaluating the information found on the internet including how up to date,
reliable, biased and valid this information is
Internet protocols including HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HyperText
Transfer Protocol secure variant (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure
Socket Layer (SSL)
Risks of using the internet including inappropriate and criminal material,
restricting data through parental, educational and ISP control

Learner Guide
11 File management
11.1 Manage files effectively Locate stored files
Open and import files of different types
Save files in a planned hierarchical directory/folder structure
Save files using appropriate file names
Save and print files in a variety of formats including a document, screenshots,

database reports, data tables, graphs/charts, a web page in browser view, a web
page in HTML view
Save and export in the file format of an application package including .docx,
.doc, .xlsx, .xls, .sdb, .sdc, .accdb .odb, .rtf, .pptx, .ppt
Save and export in a generic file format including .csv, .txt, .rtf, .pdf, .css, .htm,
.jpg, .png
Characteristics and uses of file formats including css, csv, gif, htm, jpg, pdf, png,
rtf, txt, zip, rar
The need for generic file formats
11.2 Reduce file sizes for Reduce file sizes for storage or transmission where necessary using file
storage or transmission compression including .zip, .rar
The need to reduce file sizes for storage or transmission
12 Images
12 Images Place an image with precision
Resize an image as specified to maintain or adjust the aspect ratio of an image
Crop an image
Rotate an image

Learner Guide

Reflect (flip) an image horizontally or vertically
Adjust the brightness of an image
Adjust the contrast of an image
Group and layer images including grouping and ungrouping, moving to the front
or back
Recognise that reducing the file size can be achieved by reducing the image
resolution or colour depth
13 Layout
13.1 Create or edit a Enter and modify text and numbers with total accuracy
document
Use editing techniques to manipulate text and numbers including highlight,
delete, move, cut, copy, paste, drag and drop
Place objects into the document from a variety of sources including text, image,
screenshot, shapes, table, graph or chart, spreadsheet extract, database extract
Wrap text around a table, chart or image including above, below, square and
tight
13.2 Tables Create a table with a specified number of rows and columns
Place text or objects in a table
Edit a table and its contents including insert row(s) and column(s), delete row(s)
and column(s), merge cells
Format a table including to set horizontal cell alignment (left, right, centre, fully
justified), set vertical cell alignment (top, middle, bottom), show gridlines, hide
gridlines, wrap text within a cell, shading/colouring cells, adjust row height,
adjust column width
13.3 Headers and footers Know the purpose of headers and footers
Create or edit headers and footers

Learner Guide

Align the contents of the header and footer consistently within a document
including to left margin, right margin and centred within margins
Place text and automated objects in headers and footers including file
information, page numbering, total number of pages, date, time
14 Styles
14 Styles Create, modify, update and apply styles to ensure consistency of presentation
Font including font face, type (serif, sans-serif), point size, colour
Text alignment including left, right, centre, fully justified
Text enhancement including bold, underline, italic
Spacing including paragraph (before and after) and line
Bullets including shape, alignment, line spacing and indent
Purpose and uses of a corporate house style
15 Proofing
15.1 Software tools 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
Know that 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

Learner Guide

15.2 Proofing techniques 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
16 Graphs and charts

16 Graphs and charts Select data to produce a graph or chart including using contiguous data, non-
contiguous data and specified data ranges
Select the graph or chart type
Label the graph or chart including chart title, legend, sector labels, sector values,
percentages, category axis title, value axis title, category axis labels, value axis
labels, data value labels
Add a second data series
Add a second axis
Format numerical values to a specified number of decimal places
Format numerical values to display currency symbols
Adjust the maximum and minimum values of an axis scale and set incremental
values
Enhance the appearance of a graph or chart including extracting a pie chart
sector, changing the colour scheme or fill patterns

Learner Guide
17 Document production
17 Document production Edit page layout including page size, page orientation, page margins, number
of columns, column width, spacing between columns, set and remove breaks
(page, section and column breaks)
Set line spacing including: single, 1.5 times, double, multiple, spacing before and
after paragraphs
Set tabulation including: left, right, centred and decimal tabs, indented
paragraphs and hanging paragraphs
Text enhancement including bold, underline, italic, superscript and subscript,
changes in case
Create or edit lists including bulleted, numbered
Find and replace text including matching case, whole words
Add and delete bookmarks/hyperlinks
The purpose of setting page, section and column breaks
The purpose of setting gutter margins
18 Databases
18.1 Create a database Import data from existing files (including .csv, .txt) using specified field names to
structure create tables
Set appropriate data types to fields including text, numeric (integer, decimal,
currency), date/time, Boolean/logical
Set sub-types of numeric data including percentage, number of decimal places
Set display format of Boolean/logical field (yes/no, true/false, checkbox)
Set display format of date/time data
Create and edit primary and foreign keys

Learner Guide

Create relationships between tables
Create a data entry form including specified fields, appropriate font styles and
sizes, appropriate spacing between fields, character spacing of individual fields,
use of white space, radio buttons, check boxes, drop down menus
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of a flat file and a relational
database
Characteristics of primary key and foreign keys
Characteristics of good form design
18.2 Manipulate data Use arithmetic operations or numeric functions to perform calculations
including calculated fields, calculated controls
Use formulae and functions to perform calculations at run time including
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, sum, average, maximum,
minimum, count
Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to sort data into ascending or
descending order
Use a single criterion, or multiple criteria to select subsets of data using a query
Perform searches using a variety of operators including AND, OR, NOT, LIKE, >,
<, =, >=, <=, <>
Perform searches using wildcards
18.3 Present data Produce reports to display data including displaying all the required data and
labels in full
Use appropriate headers and footers within a database report including report
header, report footer, page header, page footer
Set report titles
Produce different output layouts including controlling the display of data, labels,
tabular or columnar format
Align data and labels appropriately including right aligning numeric data and
decimal alignment

Learner Guide

Control the display format of numeric data including number of decimal places,
currency symbol, percentage
19 Presentations
19 Presentations Create a new presentation using a text file
Use a master slide Insert and edit objects consistently including images, text,
shapes, logos, slide headers and footers, placeholder position, automated slide
numbering
Format master slide objects including headings, subheadings, bullets,
background colour
Apply slide layout
Insert a new slide
Move or delete a slide
Insert and edit objects on a slide including text (headings, subheadings, bulleted
lists), images (still images, video clips, animated images), charts, tables, audio
clips (sound), symbols, lines, arrows, call out boxes and shapes
Add presenter notes
Insert and edit a hyperlink including linking text or objects to a slide within the
presentation, an external file or an email address
Insert an action button including modifying settings to navigate to a specified
slide or file
Add alternative text/screentip to an object
Apply consistent transitions between slides
Apply consistent animation effects on text, images and other objects
Hide slides within a presentation

Learner Guide

Display the presentation for a variety of purposes including looped on-screen
carousel, presenter controlled
Print the presentation in a variety of layouts including full page slides, presenter
notes, handouts
20 Spreadsheets
20.1 Create a data model Insert cell(s), row(s) and column(s), delete cell(s), row(s) and column(s), merge
cells
Create formulae using cell references
Replicate formulae using absolute and relative cell references where appropriate
Use arithmetic operators in formulae including add, subtract, multiply, divide,

indices
Use named cells and named ranges
Use functions including sum, average, maximum, minimum, integer, rounding,

counting, LOOKUP, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, IF
Use external data sources within functions
Use nested functions
The difference between a formula and a function
The order in which mathematical operations are performed including the use
brackets to make sure that formulae work
Characteristics and use of absolute and relative cell referencing
20.2 Manipulate data Using a single criterion, or multiple criteria sort data into ascending or
descending order
Using a single criterion, or multiple criteria, select subsets of data
Perform searches using a variety of operators including AND, OR, NOT, >, <, =,
>=, <=, <>
Learner Guide

Perform searches using wildcards
20.3 Present data Display either formulae or values
Adjust row height, column width and cell sizes so that all data, labels, and
formulae is fully visible
Wrap text within cells so that all data is fully visible
Hide and display rows and columns
Enhance a spreadsheet including text colour, cell colour, bold, underline, italic,
shading
Format numeric data appropriately including to display the number of decimal
places, different currency symbols, percentages
Use conditional formatting to change the display format depending on the
contents of a cell
Set the orientation to portrait or landscape
Control the page layout to print including specified number of pages, print area,
display or hide gridlines, display or hide row and column headings
21 Website authoring
21.1 Web development Content layer is used to enter the content and create the structure of a web
layers page
Presentation layer is used to display and format elements within a web page
Behaviour layer is for a scripting language to control elements within a web page
21.2 Create a web page Create the content layer of a web page
Place appropriate elements in the head section of a web page including:

• insert a page title to display in the browser
• attach external stylesheets (with the correct hierarchy, using a relative file
path)

Learner Guide

• metatags to use the appropriate attributes including to define the charset,
name attributes (description, keywords, author, viewport), content attributes
• default target windows
Place appropriate content in the body section of a web page
Insert a table including table header, table rows, table data
Use appropriate table attributes to meet the needs of the audience including to
adjust cells to span more than one row or column, to set table and cell sizes in
terms of pixels or % values, to apply styles to tables
Insert appropriate objects into a web page including text, images, sound clips,
video (display controls, remove controls, autoplay), to adjust image or video
size, aspect ratio and apply alternate text
Use the <div> tag including to apply styles and classes
Apply tags to text within a web page to display predefined styles including h1,
h2, h3, p, li
Apply classes to elements within a web page
Apply styles to elements within a web page including to a list (ordered list,
unordered list)
Create a bookmark within a web page using an id attribute
Create hyperlinks from text and images to:

• bookmarks on the same page
• other locally stored web pages
• a website using the URL
• send mail to a specified email address
• to open in a specified location (the same window, a new window, with a
window named as specified)
Purpose of the head and body sections of a web page
The reason tables are used to structure elements within a web page

Learner Guide

Function of metatags including to define: the charset, keywords for search
engines, the author of the web page, a description of the web page, the viewport
(to make your web page display on all devices)
Function of a hyperlink
Concept of a bookmark including methods of creating a bookmark within a web

page
Function of an anchor
Relative file path and absolute file path including the reason absolute file paths
must not be used for hyperlinks to locally saved web pages/objects
21.3 Use stylesheets Create the presentation layer of a web page
Create generic external styles and inline style attributes including:

• background properties including colour, images
• font properties
• table, table row, table header and table data properties including size,
background colour, horizontal and vertical alignment, spacing, padding,
borders: including collapsed, colour, thickness, visible/invisible
Create classes including:
• background properties including colour, images
• font properties
• table, table row and table data properties including size, background colour,
horizontal and vertical alignment, spacing, padding, borders: including
collapsed, colour, thickness, visible/invisible
Create external styles to be tagged in a web page including h1, h2, h3, p, li
Specify the font properties including font family, size, colour, alignment, bold,
italic
Attach comments to an external stylesheet
Save styles in cascading stylesheet format

Learner Guide

Characteristics of cascading stylesheets including the difference between
attached stylesheets and inline style attributes, the hierarchy of multiple
attached stylesheets and inline styles within a web page
Characteristics of a style and a class including the difference between them
Reason relative file paths must be used for attached stylesheets

Learner Guide
Section 6: Useful websites

The resources listed below will help you to revise and study for your Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication
Technology course.
These resources have not been through the Cambridge quality assurance process but have been found suitable for use with
various parts of the syllabus. This list includes website links providing direct access to internet resources. Cambridge is not
responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these resources. The inclusion of a link to an external
website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or the site's owners (or their products/services).
www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/gcse_ict_home.html
Even though this website is aimed at the (now finished) English ICT GCSE, it is useful for a number of the pure theory sections
of the syllabus as well as some of the theoretical topics in the spreadsheet and database sections.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zdjphbk
Again, a good resource for some of the pure theory sections of the syllabus and some of the theoretical topics in the database
and spreadsheet sections.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=IGCSE+ICT
You Tube contains many very good videos covering many aspects of the syllabus. The videos cover both the theory and
practical sections of the syllabus. There are videos that cover actual practical tasks from past question papers.
You can find a resource list, including endorsed resources to support Cambridge IGCSE IGCSE Information and
Communication Technology on our public website [here]
Endorsed resources have been written to be closely aligned to the syllabus they support, and have been through a detailed
quality assurance process. All textbooks endorsed by Cambridge International for this syllabus are the ideal resource to be
used alongside this Learner Guide.
In addition to reading the syllabus, you should refer to the past and specimen papers.

Cambridge Assessment International Education
The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8EA, United Kingdom
t: +44 1223 553554
e: [email protected] www.cambridgeinternational.org
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About this guide

9 understand how you will be assessed

9 understand what we are looking for in the answers you write

9 plan your revision programme

4 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Section 1: Syllabus content - what you need to know about

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 5

Section 2: How you will be assessed

Component Time and Content/Skills assessed Details Percentage of

6 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

About each paper

This is a paper consisting of

Each individual question is set

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 7

Paper 2: Document Production, Databases and Presentations

For each of the tasks in this paper, you will be

This paper is a practical test which

Assessment of the practical tests is software

8 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Paper 2: Document Production, Databases and Presentations continued

You work through the steps of each

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 9

Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring

For each of the tasks in this paper,

This paper is a practical test which

Assessment of the practical tests is software

10 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring continued

You work through the steps of each

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 11

Paper 3: Spreadsheets and Website Authoring continued

It is recommended that for the website authoring

12 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Section 3: What skills will be assessed

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 13

Section 4: Example candidate response

This section is separated as follows:

Example candidate response

14 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Identify requires you to name/select/recognise, in this case

State requires you to express in clear terms what the

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 15

Example candidate response

Connect the webcam, microphone and speakers to the

The candidate is correct. Alternative answers could

16 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 17

Look very carefully at the resource material you are given.

18 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983 19

Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments

As your revision progresses, you can concentrate on the

20 Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 / 0983

1 Types and components of computer systems

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

Examples of applications software including word processing, spreadsheet,

Examples of system software including compilers, linkers, device drivers,