GCE A/L ICT Unit 7 - System Analysis & Design Exam Questions and Answers

GCE A/L ICT Unit 7 - System Analysis & Design

Unit 7: System Analysis & Design is one of the most important units in GCE A/L ICT (Sri Lanka Local Syllabus). It is heavily tested in MCQ, structured, and essay questions.

1. Information Systems

Definition: An Information System is a collection of people, hardware, software, procedures, and data that work together to process data into meaningful information.

Key Idea

Input → Processing → Output (Information)

2. System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

SDLC is a structured process used to develop information systems efficiently.

1. Planning
2. Feasibility Study
3. System Analysis
4. System Design
5. Development
6. Testing
7. Implementation
8. Maintenance

3. Feasibility Study

• Technical: Technology availability
• Economic: Cost vs benefit
• Operational: User ability
• Legal: Law compliance
• Schedule: Time management

4. Fact Finding Techniques

• Interviews
• Questionnaires
• Observation
• Document Study

5. Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of how data moves through a system.

DFD Symbols

• Circle → Process
• Arrow → Data Flow
• Rectangle → External Entity
• Open Rectangle → Data Store

6. DFD Past Paper Questions (Very Important)

Question 1

Q: Draw a Context Diagram for a Library Management System.

Answer: A single process representing the whole system connected to external entities like Student and Librarian.

Explanation:

A context diagram is the highest level DFD showing system boundaries and external interactions only.

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Question 2

Q: Draw Level 0 DFD for a School Admission System.

Answer: Includes processes like Receive Application, Process Application, and Generate Admission Result.

Explanation:

Level 0 DFD breaks the system into main processes and shows data flow between them.

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Question 3

Q: Identify symbols used in DFD.

Answer:

• Process → Circle
• Data Flow → Arrow
• External Entity → Rectangle
• Data Store → Open Rectangle

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Question 4

Q: Differentiate Context Diagram and Level 0 DFD.

Context Diagram	Level 0 DFD
Shows whole system as one process	Breaks system into sub processes
No internal processes shown	Internal processes shown

7. System Testing

• Unit Testing
• Integration Testing
• System Testing
• Acceptance Testing

8. System Conversion Methods

• Direct Changeover
• Parallel Running
• Pilot Running
• Phased Implementation

9. Maintenance Types

• Corrective Maintenance
• Adaptive Maintenance
• Perfective Maintenance

Exam Focus Areas

• SDLC (Very Important)
• DFD Drawing (Most Repeated)
• Feasibility Study
• Testing Methods
• Conversion Methods

Exam Tips

• Practice DFD drawing daily
• Memorize SDLC stages
• Focus on past paper patterns

GCE A/L ICT Unit 7 - System Analysis & Design (Sri Lanka Local Syllabus)