Practice IB Computer Science (First Exam 2027) Topic A3 Databases with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for A3 Databases and mirrors Paper 1, 2 style where relevant.
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A smart city initiative integrates multiple systems including traffic management, utility monitoring, and citizen services.
In words (no SQL required), describe a relational database schema (tables, key fields, and relationships) that can store readings from many different sensor types and also allow new sensor types to be added without changing the database table structure.
An online learning platform manages courses, instructors, students, enrollments, and assessments.
Which option best describes how different ER relationship types are implemented when converting a conceptual ER model to a logical relational schema?
A real estate management system handles properties, agents, clients, transactions, and market valuations.
Evaluate the following design approaches for a flexible database schema that can accommodate different property types (residential, commercial, industrial) with varying attributes. For each approach, describe an implementation method and state at least one advantage, one disadvantage, and when it is most suitable.
| Design approach | Implementation method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Table Inheritance | ||||
| Class Table Inheritance | ||||
| Concrete Table Inheritance | ||||
| JSON/NoSQL Hybrid |
Analyze how geographic information systems (GIS) integration affects database design decisions for property location data.
A library management system tracks books, authors, members, loans, and reservations.
Create an Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram or a clearly structured ER analysis table for the library system.
Entity Primary Key Attributes Relationships Cardinality Business Rules Book BookID
Author
AuthorName, Biography
Many-to-Many
Member MemberID
Borrows books
Max 5 books per member Loan
Reservation
ReservationDate
One-to-Many Max 3 reservations
(b) Analyze how normalization to Third Normal Form (3NF) would improve this library database design and identify potential denormalization decisions for performance optimization.
A healthcare clinic designs a database for patient records, appointments, treatments, and medical history.
Describe a database design approach and key features that address privacy requirements, audit trails, and regulatory compliance. You do not need to draw an ER diagram; focus on design decisions and controls you would include.
Explain how a database can track changes in a patient’s medical conditions over time and support historical reporting (for example, viewing what was recorded at a past date).