Cambridge A Level · 9608 · Paper 2 · Fundamental problem-solving & programming

Computer Science 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9608) (previous syllabus, now 9618) Paper 2 (Fundamental problem-solving & programming), variant 1, Oct/Nov 2015: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 8 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions: 8
Marks: 75
Grade A from: 54

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 9608_w15_qp_21 · 9608_w15_ms_21

Grade thresholds for 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015

The minimum raw marks Cambridge set for each grade on this component (out of 75). Thresholds change every session and variant, so always compare your score with the paper you actually sat.

A	B	C	D	E
54	47	39	31	23

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Programming	3	31
Data Types and Structures	1	17
Algorithm Design and Problem-solving	2	15
Software Development	1	7
System Software	1	5

Questions in 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015

Question 1Programming · 4 marks
Computer programs have to evaluate expressions. Study the sequence of pseudocode statements. Write down the value assigned to each variable. DECLARE …
Question 2System Software · 5 marks
A programmer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for all program development. (i) Describe what is meant by an IDE. (ii) Name three features you would expect to be available in an IDE to help initial error detection or debugging. …
Question 3Software Development · 7 marks
A program is to simulate the operation of a particular type of logic gate. • The gate has two inputs (TRUE or FALSE) which are entered by the user. • The program will display the output (TRUE or FALSE) from …
Question 4Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 6 marks
A program is to be written to calculate the discount given on purchases. A purchase may qualify for a discount depending on the amount spent. The purchase price (Purchase), the discount rate (DiscountRate) and amount paid (Paid) is calculated as …
Question 5Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 9 marks
A driver buys a new car. The value of the car reduces each year by a percentage of its current value. The percentage reduction is: • in the first year, 40% • in each following year, 20% The driver writes …
Question 6Data Types and Structures · 17 marks
A firm employs five staff who take part in a training programme. Each member of staff must complete a set of twelve tasks which can be taken in any order. When a member of staff successfully completes a task, this …
Question 7Programming · 12 marks
ASCII character codes are used to represent a single character. Part of the code table is shown below. ASCII code table (part) Character Decimal Character Decimal Character Decimal <Space> …
Question 8Programming · 15 marks
In this question you will need to use the given pseudocode built-in function: ONECHAR(ThisString : STRING, Position : INTEGER) RETURNS CHAR returns the single character at position Position (counting from the start of the string with value 1) from the …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2015

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9608_w15_ms_21), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015?

54 marks out of 75, a C needed 39.

Which topics came up in 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015?

Mostly Programming, Data Types and Structures, Algorithm Design and Problem-solving. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9608/21 Oct/Nov 2015?

No. Every paper opens for free without signing in. A free account also saves your pen marks and records your score against the grade thresholds.