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AS · Practice questions · Database management systems

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Six original Cambridge-style questions on database management systems, with worked mark points.

Original questions All questions on this page are original work, written in the Cambridge AS & A Level style. They are not from past papers. They test the same concepts and skills the syllabus rewards.
Keep these straight

Feature, then purpose.

01
Recall
[3 marks]

State three items that would be stored in the data dictionary of a DBMS.

  • Table names and field (attribute) names. ✓
  • Data types and field sizes. ✓
  • Primary and foreign keys, relationships, validation rules or access rights (any one). ✓
02
Explain
[4 marks]

A hospital uses a DBMS to store patient records. Explain how the DBMS can be used to keep the data secure.

  • Each user logs in with a username and password. ✓
  • Access rights are set for each group: e.g. doctors read and write medical records, receptionists read-only access to contact details only. ✓
  • Regular scheduled backups are made of the database. ✓
  • Backups are stored off-site or in the cloud and the restore is tested. ✓
03
Explain
[2 marks]

Describe the purpose of the query processor in a DBMS.

  • It takes a query (e.g. in SQL), checks it is valid and that the user has permission. ✓
  • It works out how to run it efficiently, executes it and returns the results. ✓
04
Explain
[3 marks]

Describe how a developer uses the developer interface of a DBMS.

  • To create tables, choose data types and set primary keys. ✓
  • To define relationships between tables. ✓
  • To build queries, forms for data entry and reports for output without low-level programming. ✓
05
Analysis
[4 marks]

A small business keeps customer data in spreadsheet files on several computers. Explain two ways in which moving to a DBMS would address problems with this approach.

  • Data is held once in a shared database, so there is less redundancy and no inconsistent copies. ✓
  • Integrity: validation rules and referential integrity are enforced by the DBMS on every change. ✓
  • Security: access rights can be set for each employee, rather than access to a whole file. ✓
  • Any two, each identified (1) and explained (1). ✓
06
Apply
[2 marks]

Distinguish between data integrity and data security, giving an example of each for a school database.

  • Integrity is about the data being correct and consistent, e.g. a range check stops a mark of 150 out of 100 being entered. ✓
  • Security is about protecting data from unauthorised access or loss, e.g. students have read-only access to the timetable. ✓

Mark this once you have attempted all six and checked your working. It records a Practiced badge on the topic and adds a one-time bonus. Revealing the solutions alone does not count.