Cambridge International AS & A Level
Computer Science (9618)
Paper 1 – Chapter 8: Databases
Topical Question Bank (2021–2025)
Includes: MCQ + Structured | With Answers
🔹 Topic 1: Database Concepts & DBMS
Q1 (MCQ – 2021 MJ inspired)
Which is an advantage of a DBMS?
A. Increased redundancy
B. Improved data security
C. Data inconsistency
D. No relationships possible
Answer: B
Q2 (Structured – 2024 MJ inspired)
Describe two advantages of using a database instead of a file-based system.
Answer:
Reduces data redundancy
Improves data integrity
Enables multi-user access
Provides better security
🔹 Topic 2: Primary Keys & Foreign Keys
Q3 (MCQ – 2023 MJ inspired)
What is a primary key?
A. A duplicate field
B. A unique identifier
C. A linking field only
D. A calculated field
Answer: B
Q4 (Structured – 2022 ON inspired)
Explain the purpose of a foreign key.
Answer:
Field in one table
Links to primary key in another table
Creates relationships
Maintains referential integrity
🔹 Topic 3: Relationships
Q5 (MCQ – 2024 ON inspired)
A one-to-many relationship means:
A. One record links to many tables
B. One record links to many records
C. Many records link to one database
D. Tables cannot be linked
Answer: B
Q6 (Structured – 2023 ON inspired)
Describe a many-to-many relationship and how it is implemented.
Answer:
Many records relate to many others
Cannot be directly implemented
Requires a junction table
Uses foreign keys
🔹 Topic 4: Data Redundancy & Integrity
Q7 (MCQ – 2022 MJ inspired)
Data redundancy means:
A. Missing data
B. Duplicate data
C. Encrypted data
D. Sorted data
Answer: B
Q8 (Structured – 2024 MJ inspired)
Explain two problems caused by data redundancy.
Answer:
Data inconsistency
Wasted storage
Update anomalies
🔹 Topic 5: Normalisation
Q9 (MCQ – 2022 MJ inspired)
Which normal form removes partial dependency?
A. 1NF
B. 2NF
C. 3NF
D. BCNF
Answer: B
Q10 (Structured – 2023 ON inspired)
Explain why normalisation is used.
Answer:
Reduces redundancy
Improves integrity
Prevents anomalies
Organises data efficiently
Q11 (Structured – 2024 MJ inspired)
A table contains repeating groups. Identify the normal form violated and suggest a fix.
Answer:
Violates 1NF
Remove repeating groups
Create separate rows/tables
Ensure atomic values
🔹 Topic 6: Data Integrity & Validation
Q12 (MCQ – 2021 ON inspired)
Which ensures data accuracy?
A. Redundancy
B. Integrity
C. Duplication
D. Compression
Answer: B
Q13 (Structured – 2023 MJ inspired)
Describe two methods to maintain data integrity.
Answer:
Validation rules
Data types
Constraints (e.g. NOT NULL)
🔹 Topic 7: Database Security
Q14 (MCQ – 2024 MJ inspired)
Which improves database security?
A. Open access
B. User permissions
C. Data duplication
D. Removing passwords
Answer: B
Q15 (Structured – 2022 ON inspired)
Explain two methods of database security.
Answer:
User authentication (login/password)
Access levels (read/write permissions)
Encryption
🔹 Topic 8: General Exam-Style Questions
Q16 (Structured – 2025 predicted style)
Explain the difference between a file-based system and a DBMS.
Answer:
File-based: separate files, no relationships
DBMS: centralised system
DBMS reduces redundancy
DBMS improves security and integrity
Q17 (MCQ – Mixed)
Which is NOT a feature of a relational database?
A. Tables
B. Keys
C. Relationships
D. Flat file storage only
Answer: D
✅ END OF QUESTION BANK