100+ Free IGCSE ICT Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Which is the BEST description of a flat-file database?

A database that runs only in the cloud

Data spread across many normalised tables linked by keys

All data stored in a single table with no relationships

A database limited to 100 records

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: IGCSE ICT Exam

A*-G

Grading scale

Cambridge International

3 papers

Theory plus two practical papers

Cambridge 0417 syllabus 2026-2028

200 marks

Total across the three papers

Cambridge 0417 syllabus

100

Free practice questions here

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Cambridge IGCSE 0417 ICT runs on the 2026-2028 syllabus with three papers totalling 200 marks. Paper 1 Theory (90 min, 40%) is written; Paper 2 Document Production, Databases and Presentations (2 hr 15 min, 30%) and Paper 3 Spreadsheets and Website Authoring (2 hr 15 min, 30%) are practical. All candidates are eligible for grades A*-G.

Sample IGCSE ICT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your IGCSE ICT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which item is an example of system software rather than application software?

A.Operating system

B.Spreadsheet program

C.Web browser

D.Video editor

Explanation: System software manages the hardware and provides a platform for application software. The operating system is the core piece of system software; spreadsheets, browsers and video editors are applications written to run on top of it.

2Which type of computer is most likely to be embedded inside a washing machine?

A.Embedded computer

B.Mainframe

C.Supercomputer

D.Desktop PC

Explanation: An embedded computer is a dedicated microcontroller built into another device to perform one specific task. Washing machines, microwaves and traffic lights all rely on embedded computers; mainframes and supercomputers are large general-purpose systems.

3Which component of a computer system holds the program instructions currently being executed?

A.RAM

B.ROM

C.Hard disk drive

D.CPU cache only

Explanation: RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile primary memory that holds programs and data while they are being used by the CPU. ROM stores the bootstrap firmware permanently, and the hard disk is secondary storage used when the program is not running.

4A user types commands such as DIR or COPY into a black screen with a flashing cursor. Which type of user interface is this?

A.Command line interface (CLI)

B.Graphical user interface (GUI)

C.Menu-driven interface

D.Voice-controlled interface

Explanation: A CLI requires the user to type text commands using strict syntax. It is fast and powerful for experienced users but harder to learn than a GUI, which uses windows, icons, menus and a pointer.

5Which of the following is a function of an operating system?

A.Managing hardware resources and providing user input/output

B.Editing photographs

C.Recording video

D.Designing a database

Explanation: Core operating system functions include managing memory, processes, storage, peripherals and user input/output, and providing a security layer. Editing photos, recording video or designing databases are application-software tasks.

6Which option BEST describes the relationship between hardware and software?

A.Hardware is the physical parts of a computer; software is the programs that run on it

B.Hardware and software are interchangeable terms

C.Hardware refers to programs; software refers to physical components

D.Software is the casing of the computer

Explanation: Hardware comprises tangible physical components (motherboard, CPU, monitor) you can touch. Software is the set of instructions and programs (operating system, applications) that tell the hardware what to do.

7Which type of computer is designed for very high-performance scientific calculations such as weather modelling?

A.Supercomputer

B.Tablet

C.Embedded system

D.Server

Explanation: Supercomputers contain thousands of processors and can perform calculations at extremely high speed, making them suitable for weather forecasting, climate modelling and nuclear simulations. Tablets and embedded systems lack the required processing power, and a server is optimised for handling requests, not raw scientific computation.

8Which of the following is NOT typically stored in ROM?

A.The user's current word-processing document

B.The boot-up instructions (BIOS)

C.Firmware for a peripheral

D.Start-up self-test routines

Explanation: ROM is read-only, non-volatile memory used for boot firmware that must survive power off. A user's current document is volatile working data and lives in RAM while editing, then on disk when saved.

9A blind user asks for a hands-free interface. Which interface would best suit them?

A.Voice-controlled interface

B.Graphical user interface (GUI)

C.Command line interface (CLI)

D.Menu-driven interface using touchscreen

Explanation: A voice-controlled interface lets the user issue spoken commands and receive spoken responses, ideal for users who cannot see a screen or use their hands. GUI, CLI and touch-driven menus all require sight or typed/tapped input.

10Which is an advantage of a smartphone over a desktop PC?

A.Portability and built-in mobile connectivity

B.More powerful CPU for heavy gaming

C.Larger screen for design work

D.Cheaper upgrades to RAM and storage

Explanation: Smartphones are designed to be carried at all times and connect over 4G/5G, making them ideal for on-the-go communication. Desktop PCs have larger screens, more powerful CPUs and cheaper component upgrades.

About the IGCSE ICT Exam

Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) is the international upper-secondary qualification in ICT taken by Year 10-11 students worldwide. The course covers computer systems hardware and software, input and output devices, storage, networks, the effects of using IT, the systems life cycle, ICT applications, spreadsheets, databases, document production, presentations, and web authoring. All candidates take three papers: one written theory paper and two practical papers using application software.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Paper 1: 1 hr 30 min; Paper 2: 2 hr 15 min; Paper 3: 2 hr 15 min

Passing Score

Grade C or above for higher-tier pass; all candidates eligible for grades A*-G

Exam Fee

£60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre) (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))

IGCSE ICT Exam Content Outline

10%

Types and components of computer systems

Hardware vs software, system vs application software, types of computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, server, mainframe, supercomputer, embedded), CPU/RAM/ROM/storage/I-O, operating system functions, GUI/CLI/menu/touch/voice user interfaces

10%

Input and output devices

Keyboards, mouse/trackerball/touchpad/joystick, capacitive vs resistive vs infra-red touchscreens, flatbed/hand/3D/barcode scanners, cameras, microphones, sensors (temperature, pressure, light, sound, motion, humidity, magnetic), MICR/OCR/OMR/RFID/NFC/chip-and-PIN, LCD/LED/OLED monitors, projectors, laser/inkjet/3D/dot-matrix printers, plotters, speakers, actuators, VR headsets

10%

Storage devices and media

Magnetic (HDD, magnetic tape), optical (CD/DVD/Blu-ray families), solid-state (SSD, SD cards, USB flash drives), cloud storage, backup strategies, primary vs secondary storage

10%

Networks and the effects of using them

LAN, WAN, MAN, WLAN, internet vs intranet vs extranet, Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth, NIC, MAC address, router, modem, switch, hub, bridge, gateway, server, client-server vs peer-to-peer, cloud computing, passwords/encryption/authentication/biometrics/two-factor, video and audio conferencing, VoIP, instant messaging, social networking

10%

The effects of using IT

Workforce changes from automation and robotics, teleworking, RSI and other health issues, electrocution and trip hazards, phishing/pharming/smishing/vishing/viruses/spyware/ransomware/social engineering, Data Protection Act and GDPR principles, copyright, software licensing (proprietary, freeware, shareware, open source, EULA), banking/shopping/education/entertainment uses of ICT

15%

ICT applications and the systems life cycle

Feasibility study, analysis, design (data structures, validation, user interfaces), development and testing with normal/boundary/erroneous data, alpha and beta testing, direct/parallel/pilot/phased changeover, user vs technical documentation, evaluation, expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine), data logging, modelling and simulation, CAD/CAM, control systems, GPS tracking, AI, ANPR and biometric recognition

15%

Spreadsheets and modelling

Cells, rows, columns, ranges and worksheets, formulas using + - * / ^, functions SUM/AVERAGE/COUNT/COUNTIF/COUNTIFS/MAX/MIN/IF (including nested)/VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH/SUMIF/ROUND/INT/MOD, absolute vs relative references with $, conditional formatting, sorting and filtering, chart selection, goal-seek, data validation, cell and worksheet protection

10%

Database management

Flat-file vs relational databases, tables/records/fields, primary key vs foreign key, field data types (text, number, date/time, currency, Boolean, AutoNumber), validation rules (range, type, presence, length, format), queries with single and multiple criteria, wildcards, sorted output, forms, reports with grouping/sorting/summary calculations

10%

Document production and presentations

Margins, line spacing, indentation, headers/footers, page numbering, columns, tables, mail merge (main document and data source), styles, track changes, slide layouts and masters, animations and transitions, hyperlinks and action buttons, image cropping/resizing/rotating/reflecting, HTML head/body, headings, paragraphs, lists, images, links, tables, internal vs external CSS, common CSS properties (color, font-family, font-size, text-align, background-color, margin, padding, width)

How to Pass the IGCSE ICT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Grade C or above for higher-tier pass; all candidates eligible for grades A*-G
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Paper 1: 1 hr 30 min; Paper 2: 2 hr 15 min; Paper 3: 2 hr 15 min
Exam fee: £60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IGCSE ICT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorise the difference between hardware/software, system/application software, primary/secondary storage, and LAN/WAN — these short-answer recall questions appear every Paper 1

2For Paper 3, practise the named spreadsheet functions in isolation (especially IF, COUNTIF, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIF) and the $ syntax for absolute references — Cambridge mark schemes are strict on exact syntax

3Learn the systems life cycle stages in order (analysis-design-development-testing-implementation-documentation-evaluation) and the four changeover methods (direct/parallel/pilot/phased) with one advantage and disadvantage each

4For HTML/CSS in Paper 3, drill the syntax of headings h1-h6, ordered/unordered lists, img with alt and src, a with href, and the difference between internal and external stylesheets

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 assessed?

All candidates take three papers totalling 200 marks. Paper 1 is a 1 hour 30 minute written theory paper (80 marks, 40% of the qualification). Paper 2 is a 2 hour 15 minute practical paper on document production, databases and presentations (30%). Paper 3 is a 2 hour 15 minute practical paper on spreadsheets and website authoring (30%).

Is there a tiered Core/Extended route for IGCSE ICT?

No. Unlike many Cambridge IGCSE science subjects, ICT 0417 has only one route. All candidates sit the same three papers and are eligible for grades A* to G.

What application software is used in Papers 2 and 3?

Cambridge does not prescribe a specific software package, so centres typically use Microsoft Office (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel), LibreOffice or similar. Candidates need to demonstrate generic skills such as mail merge, query design, spreadsheet formulas and HTML/CSS web authoring.

Is the 2026 syllabus different from previous years?

The 0417 syllabus has been stable across the 2025-2026 and 2026-2028 series, with no major content changes. Past papers from 2023 onwards remain fully relevant for 2026 revision.

100+ Free IGCSE ICT Practice Questions

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