IGCSE · Computer Science 0478 · Algorithms & programming

Validation, verification & test data: IGCSE Computer Science questions with answers

Free Validation, verification & test data questions for IGCSE Computer Science (0478), part of Algorithms & programming. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Validation, verification & test data practice questions

Question 1Structured · 6 marks

(a)

Identify the most suitable validation check for a book’s ISBN, to detect errors when the number is typed in.

[1]

(b)

Identify the most suitable validation check for a date of birth, in the form DD/MM/YYYY.

[1]

(c)

Identify the most suitable validation check for the age of a student, which must be from 11 to 18.

[1]

(d)

A program accepts whole numbers from 14 to 46 inclusive. Give one example of normal, extreme and abnormal test data.

[3]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	check digit check digit B1	1
(b)	format check format check B1	1
(c)	range check range check B1	1
(d)	normal: e.g. 30; extreme: 14 or 46; abnormal: e.g. 51 or "ten" normal between 14 and 46 B1 extreme 14 or 46 B1 abnormal outside range or wrong type B1	3

Question 2Structured · 5 marks

A program accepts the number of guests in a hotel room booking. The number must be a whole number from 1 to 10 inclusive.

(a)

Give one example of each type of test data for this input: normal, extreme and abnormal.

[3]

(b)

Give the two values of boundary data for the upper limit of this input.

[1]

(c)

Explain why the program should be tested with abnormal data.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	normal: any whole number from 2 to 9; extreme: 1 or 10; abnormal: e.g. 15, −3, 2.5 or "two" Normal: a whole number from 2 to 9 B1 Extreme: 1 or 10 B1 Abnormal: outside the range, not a whole number, or not a number B1	3
(b)	10 and 11 10 and 11 B1	1
(c)	to check that invalid data is rejected (by the validation) To check that the program rejects invalid data / does not crash B1	1

Question 3Structured · 2 marks

(a)

State what is meant by the term validation.

[1]

(b)

State what is meant by the term verification.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	An automatic check that data is reasonable and meets set criteria An automatic check that data is reasonable and meets set criteria B1	1
(b)	Checking that data has been accurately entered or copied Checking that data has been accurately entered or copied B1	1

Question 4Structured · 2 marks

(a)

State what is meant by the term abnormal test data.

[1]

(b)

State what is meant by the term extreme test data.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	Data that should be rejected Data that should be rejected B1	1
(b)	Data at the limits of the acceptable range Data at the limits of the acceptable range B1	1

Question 5Structured · 6 marks

(a)

Identify the most suitable validation check for a password, which must have at least 8 characters.

[1]

(b)

Identify the most suitable validation check for a surname, which must not be left blank.

[1]

(c)

Identify the most suitable validation check for the age of a student, which must be from 11 to 18.

[1]

(d)

A program accepts whole numbers from 8 to 40 inclusive. Give one example of normal, extreme and abnormal test data.

[3]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	length check length check B1	1
(b)	presence check presence check B1	1
(c)	range check range check B1	1
(d)	normal: e.g. 24; extreme: 8 or 40; abnormal: e.g. 45 or "ten" normal between 8 and 40 B1 extreme 8 or 40 B1 abnormal outside range or wrong type B1	3

Question 6Structured · 5 marks

A program accepts the number of tickets that can be bought in one order. The number must be a whole number from 1 to 10 inclusive.

(a)

Give one example of each type of test data for this input: normal, extreme and abnormal.

[3]

(b)

Give the two values of boundary data for the upper limit of this input.

[1]

(c)

Explain why the program should be tested with abnormal data.

[1]

Show answers and mark scheme

Part	Answer and marking points	Marks
(a)	normal: any whole number from 2 to 9; extreme: 1 or 10; abnormal: e.g. 15, −3, 2.5 or "two" Normal: a whole number from 2 to 9 B1 Extreme: 1 or 10 B1 Abnormal: outside the range, not a whole number, or not a number B1	3
(b)	10 and 11 10 and 11 B1	1
(c)	to check that invalid data is rejected (by the validation) To check that the program rejects invalid data / does not crash B1	1

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in