Sample Paper — Exam Module Preview

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE

Confirm that you have been issued with the correct assessment tool (Course, Level, Unit Code and Unit name) before you begin.
This paper consists of TWO sections: A and B.
Answer ALL questions in section A.
Answer question TWELVE (12) and any other TWO (2) questions in section B.
Marks for each question are indicated in the brackets. Total marks: 100.
Candidates are provided with a separate answer booklet.
Do not write on the question paper.
Write your registration number on EVERY page of the answer booklet.

Answer ALL the questions in this section.

1.Define each of the following mobile development approaches as used in Mobile programming.

i.Native;(2 marks)

ii.Hybrid;(2 marks)

iii.Progressive web.(2 marks)

2.Briefly describe THREE categories of mobile applications.(3 marks)

3.State TWO limitations associated with mobile devices.(2 marks)

4.Describe each of the following resource types used in Android development.

i.anim/(2 marks)

ii.drawable/(2 marks)

iii.values/(2 marks)

5.Give TWO reasons why mobile application programmers are encouraged to use mobile development frameworks.(2 marks)

6.State THREE interface styles applicable to mobile app development.(3 marks)

7.Discuss THREE ways that the user experience can be enhanced in a mobile application.(3 marks)

8.Distinguish between data replication and data synchronization.(4 marks)

9.Giving examples, differentiate between views and view groups in mobile programming.(4 marks)

10.Write an XML snippet to create a login page with the following elements: username field, password field, submit button, cancel button.(4 marks)

11.Explain THREE functions of the AndroidManifest.xml file.(3 marks)

Answer question TWELVE (12) and any other TWO (2) questions in this section.

12.(a) With the help of a well-labelled diagram, describe the life cycle of an activity in Android programming.(6 marks)

(b) Describe the procedure used to install an Android application on a physical mobile device.(4 marks)

(c) Describe TWO key components of the Android operating system.(4 marks)

(d) Describe the function of: (i) R.layout.activity_main, (ii) onCreate() method.(4 marks)

(e) State TWO advantages of Android applications.(2 marks)

13.(a) (i) Briefly describe the role of TWO selection controls a programmer may use to implement the UI of a mobile e-learning application.(4 marks)

(ii) Write a sample code to implement the two selection controls named above.(4 marks)

(b) Describe THREE layout class interface controls programmers can use.(6 marks)

(c) Write an XML code (relative layout) to implement an interface that adds two numbers — must include at least two TextFields with input_type attribute and a SUM button.(6 marks)

14.(a) Re-write the following XML code eliminating the errors:(3 marks)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <resources < name="opaque_red">#f00 <string name="greetings">Hi There!</string> </ >

(b) Write code extracts showing how (i) Services, (ii) Content Providers, (iii) Broadcast Receivers are inherited from their main classes.(6 marks)

(c) Explain the difference between procedural and object-oriented programming design methods.(4 marks)

(d) Giving an example, briefly describe the strings.xml file.(3 marks)

(e) Describe TWO applications of Intent in mobile programming.(4 marks)

15.(a) Describe the function of each of the following XML lines:(6 marks)

android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent" android:fitsSystemWindows="true"

(b) Describe TWO characteristics of a Fragment in Android.(4 marks)

(c) Using the grading table below (A: above 80, B: 60–80, C: 50–60, D: 45–50, E: 25–45, F: below 25):

(i) Design a simple interface allowing a student to enter marks and receive a corresponding grade (use LinearLayout).(5 marks)

(ii) Write a method that determines the grade based on the score (use if selection).(5 marks)

Examiner / Assessor	Jane Kamau
Internal Verifier	___________________________________________
Examination Officer	Ms. A. Mwangi
Duration	3 hours
Total Marks	100

This marking scheme is a guide. Award marks according to the breakdown shown beside each question.

SECTION A — Marking points

1. Define each of the following mobile development approaches (6 Marks total)

i. Native — apps written in the platform's native SDK (Swift/Kotlin), compiled to device binaries, full device-API access. (2 Mks: 1 for definition, 1 for example/feature)

ii. Hybrid — apps built with web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS) wrapped in a native container (e.g. Cordova/Ionic). (2 Mks)

iii. Progressive Web App — websites that behave like apps via service workers, offline cache and installable manifest. (2 Mks)

2. Three categories of mobile applications (3 marks)

Any THREE × 1 Mk: Native, Hybrid, Web/PWA, Utility, Gaming, Productivity, Social, Enterprise. Mark = correct category + one-line distinguishing feature.

3. Two limitations of mobile devices (2 marks)

Any TWO × 1 Mk: limited screen real estate · limited battery · limited processing power · fragmented OS versions · limited storage · network reliance · input-method constraints.

4. Android resource folders (6 marks)

i. anim/ — XML animation definitions (rotate, alpha, scale, translate). (2 Mks)

ii. drawable/ — bitmaps and XML-defined shapes/selectors used by views. (2 Mks)

iii. values/ — strings.xml, colors.xml, styles.xml etc — reusable constants. (2 Mks)

5. Two reasons to use a mobile framework (2 marks)

Any TWO × 1 Mk: faster development, cross-platform reach, pre-built components, established patterns, community support, easier maintenance.

12 (a). Activity life-cycle (6 marks)

Diagram: onCreate → onStart → onResume → (running) → onPause → onStop → onRestart / onDestroy. Award 1 Mk per correctly placed state (max 6), with arrows.

12 (b). Install APK on physical device (4 marks)

1 Mk each: enable Developer Options + USB Debugging · connect via USB · run adb install app.apk (or build & deploy from IDE) · authorise the host computer on the device.

12 (c). Two key Android OS components (4 marks)

Any TWO × 2 Mks (name + 1-line role): Linux kernel, HAL, ART runtime, native C/C++ libraries, Java API framework, system apps.

…full marking scheme continues for questions 13, 14, 15…

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE

Read each task carefully before starting. You have 3 hours to complete this practical.
Marks are awarded for correct configuration, technique and demonstrated competence — partial credit per the marking guide.
Observe safety procedures and PPE requirements at all times.
The assessor may answer clarification questions but will not give procedural assistance.
Total marks for this practical: 50.

MATERIALS, TOOLS & EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

A computer with Android Studio (latest stable) installed.
An Android emulator OR a physical device with USB debugging enabled.
Internet access for Gradle dependencies.

Each candidate must verify the items above are available and in working order before commencement.

EVIDENCE TO BE COLLECTED

Working application demonstrated to the assessor on the emulator / device.
Annotated screenshots of the login flow and the Dashboard.
Logcat output showing the foreground Service emitting timestamps.
Verbal explanation of architectural decisions (recorded on the observation checklist).
Signed candidate declaration that the work submitted is their own.

Evidence is captured on the accompanying Observation Checklist by the assessor.

Task 1: Build the UI (Subtotal: 30 marks)

Create a new Android Studio project named MobileApp_2026 with an Empty Activity.
Design a login screen (activity_login.xml) using LinearLayout containing: ImageView (logo), two EditTexts (username + password with inputType=textPassword), Sign In button, Forgot Password link.
Create a second activity (activity_dashboard.xml) showing the user's name in a TextView and a RecyclerView with three sample items.
Wire the Sign In button to launch the Dashboard activity passing the username via an Intent extra.
Display the username on the Dashboard using getIntent().getStringExtra(...).
Add a logout MenuItem on the Dashboard that returns to the login screen and clears the back-stack.

Task 2: Add a service + permissions (Subtotal: 20 marks)

Add a foreground Service that logs the current timestamp every 30 seconds (use a CoroutineScope or Handler).
Register the service in AndroidManifest.xml with the appropriate FOREGROUND_SERVICE permission for the target SDK.
Start the service from the Dashboard's onResume() and stop it from onPause().
Demonstrate the running service in Android Studio's Logcat and present the logs to the assessor.

Candidate's Name & Registration Code
Assessor's Name & Registration Code
Venue of Assessment
Date of Assessment

Items to be Evaluated · award marks as appropriate, give a brief comment.	Marks Available	Marks Obtained	Comments
TASK 1: Build the UI
Created project named MobileApp_2026 with Empty Activity.	3
activity_login.xml uses LinearLayout containing logo ImageView, username + password EditTexts, Sign In button, Forgot Password link.	6
Password EditText uses inputType=textPassword attribute.	2
Dashboard activity displays username in a TextView.	4
RecyclerView in Dashboard shows three sample items.	5
Sign In intent passes the username extra correctly.	4
Logout MenuItem returns to login and clears the back-stack.	6
Subtotal 1	30
TASK 2: Add a service + permissions
Foreground Service implemented and starts cleanly.	6
Logs the current timestamp every 30 seconds (visible in Logcat).	5
Service registered in AndroidManifest with FOREGROUND_SERVICE permission.	5
Service started in onResume() and stopped in onPause().	4
Subtotal 2	20
GRAND TOTAL	50

ASSESSMENT OUTCOME

The candidate was found to be: Competent ☐ Not yet Competent ☐

(The candidate is competent if they obtain at least 50 %.)

Feedback from the Candidate: _________________________________________________________________

Feedback to the Candidate: ___________________________________________________________________

Candidate's Signature: _______________________ Date: _____________

Assessor's Signature: _______________________ Date: _____________

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

This paper has TWO sections A and B.
You are provided with a separate answer booklet.
Marks are indicated in brackets.
Do not write on the question paper.

Attempt ALL questions in this section.

1.Define each of the following: Native, Hybrid, Progressive Web.(6 marks)

2.Briefly describe THREE categories of mobile applications.(3 marks)

3.State TWO limitations associated with mobile devices.(2 marks)

4.Describe the Android anim/, drawable/ and values/ folders.(6 marks)

— continued on page 2 —

Attempt any THREE questions in this section. (Trial shows ONE sample below.)

12.(a) With the help of a well-labelled diagram, describe the life cycle of an activity in Android programming.(6 marks)

(b) Describe the procedure used to install an Android application on a physical mobile device.(4 marks)

(c) Describe TWO key components of the Android operating system.(4 marks)

… (2 more sub-parts hidden in preview)

⎯⎯⎯ PREVIEW ENDS HERE ⎯⎯⎯

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