Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417): syllabus, papers and marking
Only the 80-mark Theory paper can be marked here; the two practical tests are sat on a computer at the centre. Explanations are checked for the specific, because-style reason the scheme wants.
Syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 (2029 published, structure unchanged) · June and November series · grades A*–G
Information and Communication Technology 0417: where the marks go
IGCSE ICT 0417 is one 80-mark Theory paper (40%) and two 2 h 15 min practical tests on a computer (30% each): documents, databases and presentations, then spreadsheets and website authoring. The Theory paper is where the writing marks are, and the examiners say answers that stay generic or ignore the scenario are the usual loss.
We can generate and mark Paper 1 only. The two practical tests are sat and assessed on the computer at the centre.
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Theory | 1 h 30 min | 80 | 40% | Compulsory short-answer and structured questions on syllabus sections 1–21 |
| Paper 2 — Document Production, Databases and Presentations | 2 h 15 min | 70 | 30% | Practical test on a computer (sections 17, 18 and 19, with file-management and layout skills) |
| Paper 3 — Spreadsheets and Website Authoring | 2 h 15 min | 70 | 30% | Practical test on a computer (sections 20 and 21, with file-management and layout skills) |
Syllabus outline
- Types and components of computer systems
- Input and output devices
- Storage devices and media
- Networks and the effects of using them
- The effects of using IT
- ICT applications
- The systems life cycle
- Safety and security
- Audience and communication
- File management, images, layout, styles, proofing, graphs and charts
- Document production, databases, presentations, spreadsheets and website authoring
How each paper is marked here
- Paper 1 marked against point-by-point schemes with the missing term or reason shown.
- Papers 2 and 3 (practical) are not marked here.
- Opening soon: the explanation rubric is still being built.
Where Information and Communication Technology 0417 candidates lose marks
- Advantages and disadvantages written in two columns — A comparison question needs the two sides set against each other; a split list of statements caps the mark.
- Colloquial reasons — “It is quicker” scores nothing; adding “because” and a valid reason is the examiners’ rule of thumb.
- Answers not tied to the scenario — The paper changes its scenario each series; answers must relate back to the one set.
- More answers than spaces — Only the first answer in each space is marked, so extra answers on the same line are ignored.
- Trade names instead of generic terms — Hardware and software should be named by type, not brand.
Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 0417
See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.
Questions teachers ask
- Can it mark the practical papers?
- No. Papers 2 and 3 are done on a computer at the centre.
- Is this different from Edexcel ICT 4IT1?
- Yes. 0417 has a 1 h 30 min Theory paper and two practical tests; the Edexcel course has its own structure.
- Which session is next?
- June and November; the syllabus applies to 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- Is this official Cambridge marking?
- No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 0417. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every 0417 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 (2029 published, structure unchanged), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- June and November series. Grades A*–G.
Other Cambridge IGCSE courses
- Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)
- Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625)
- Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)
- Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606)
- Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500)
- Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455)
- Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)
- Cambridge IGCSE Accounting (0452)
- Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478)
- Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)
- Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)
- Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies (0448)
- Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510 / 0511)
- Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475)
- Cambridge IGCSE Islamiyat (0493)
- Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495)
- Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539)
- Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607)
- Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (0654)
- Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653)
- Cambridge IGCSE Business (0264)
- Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives (0457)
- Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management (0680)
- Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism (0471)
- Cambridge IGCSE Enterprise (0454)
- Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education (0413)
- Cambridge IGCSE Arabic as a Foreign Language (0544)
- Cambridge IGCSE Arabic as a First Language (0508)
- Cambridge IGCSE French as a Foreign Language (0520)
Start marking Information and Communication Technology scripts · See a real marked script