0478/21 COMPUTER SCIENCE - Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming

Oct 23, 2026

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Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education 0478/21 Computer Science Paper 2 focuses on problem-solving and programming for visually impaired candidates. The paper is timed at 1 hour 45 minutes and specifies exam rules such as no calculators, using dark blue or black pen, and answering all questions. Section A uses a computer-shop scenario requiring programs to calculate estimates with a 20% addition, check stock and place orders, and produce an end-of-day summary of orders, components sold, and order values.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Section A

Pre-release material

Task 1 – Produce an estimate

Task 2 – Place an order

Task 3 – Summarise the day’s orders

Question 1 (a)

Question 1 (b)

Question 1 (c)

Question 1 (d)

Candidate Name Centre Number ________________________________ Candidate Number CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education 0478/21 COMPUTER SCIENCE Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming May/June 2018 TIME: 1 hour 45 minutes SUITABLE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES Candidates answer on the Question Paper. No Additional Materials are required. No calculators allowed. READ INSTRUCTIONS OVERLEAF DC (RW) 167224 The whole of this paper is © UCLES 2018. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your Centre number, candidate number and name in the spaces at the top of the previous page. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Answer ALL questions. DO NOT ATTEMPT TASKS 1, 2 AND 3 in the pre-release material; these are for information only. You are advised to spend no more than 40 MINUTES on SECTION A (Question 1). No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. The maximum number of marks is 50. 2 SECTION A STARTS ON PAGE 4. 3 SECTION A YOU ARE ADVISED TO SPEND NO LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES ANSWERING THIS SECTION. HERE IS A COPY OF THE PRE-RELEASE MATERIAL. DO NOT attempt TASKS 1, 2 and 3 now. Use the pre-release material and your experience from attempting the tasks before the examination to answer Question 1. PRE-RELEASE MATERIAL A computer shop will build a computer from components to meet a customer’s requirements. For each request for a computer to be built, an estimate of the cost is produced. The component stock level is checked; if all the components are in stock, a firm order to build the computer can be placed. A program is required to work out the cost of the computer, update the stock levels and provide a daily summary of orders for the shop owner. Write and test a program or programs for the computer shop owner. • Your program or programs must include appropriate prompts for the entry of data. • Error messages and other output need to be set out clearly and understandably. • All variables, constants and other identifiers must have meaningful names. You will need to complete these THREE tasks. Each task must be fully tested. 4 TASK 1 – Produce an estimate. Write a program for TASK 1 to calculate the cost of building a computer using these components. | COMPONENT | CHOICES | PRICES IN $ | | --- | --- | --- | | Processor | p3 / p5 / p7 | 100 / 120 / 200 | | RAM | 16 GB / 32 GB | 75 / 150 | | Storage | 1 TB / 2 TB | 50 / 100 | | Screen | 19" / 23" | 65 / 120 | | Case | Mini Tower / Midi Tower | 40 / 70 | | USB ports | 2 ports / 4 ports | 10 / 20 | The customer makes a choice for each component and an estimate is produced. The estimate must show a unique estimate number, the components chosen and the price of each component. The estimate must also show the total cost of the computer, which is calculated as the sum of the cost of the components chosen plus 20%. TASK 2 – Place an order. Using your estimate from TASK 1, check if the components required are in stock. If all the components are in stock then update the stock levels. Add the unique estimate number to the list of order numbers. Add the customer’s details and today’s date to the estimate details to finalise the order. Print two copies of the order, one for the customer and one for the shop. TASK 3 – Summarise the day’s orders. Extend TASK 2 to provide an end of day summary showing the number of orders made, the total number of each component sold and the value of the orders. 5 1 (a) All variables, constants and other identifiers should have meaningful names. (i) You

FAQs

What are the main tasks candidates must complete in Section A?

Candidates must complete three tasks: produce an estimate (Task 1), use it to check stock and place an order (Task 2), and extend Task 2 to generate an end-of-day summary (Task 3).

How is the total cost of the computer calculated in Task 1?

The total cost is calculated as the sum of the selected component prices plus 20%.

What constraints are specified for exam equipment and candidate responses?

No calculators are allowed, candidates answer on the question paper, and they must write in dark blue or black pen (an HB pencil may be used for diagrams, graphs, or rough working).

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy