Cambridge A Level · 9608 · Paper 1 · Theory fundamentals

Computer Science 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9608) (previous syllabus, now 9618) Paper 1 (Theory fundamentals), variant 3, Oct/Nov 2017: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 7 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions: 7
Marks: 75
Grade A from: 45

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 9608_w17_qp_13 · 9608_w17_ms_13

Grade thresholds for 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017

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
45	39	34	29	24

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Processor Fundamentals	1	17
Databases	1	16
Security, privacy and data integrity	1	10
Hardware	1	10
Ethics and Ownership	1	8
Information representation	1	7
System Software	1	7

Questions in 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017

Question 1Information representation · 7 marks
(a) Each of the following bytes represents an integer in two’s complement form. State the denary value. …
Question 2System Software · 7 marks
(a) The diagram shows three items of software that translate program code. Draw one line from each context to the correct item of translation software. Assembler Interpreter Compiler Context Item of translation software A web page contains a client-side script. …
Question 3Security, privacy and data integrity · 10 marks
A Local Area Network is used by staff in a hospital to access data stored in a Database Management System (DBMS). (a) Name two security measures to protect computer systems. …
Question 4Processor Fundamentals · 17 marks
(a) The diagram shows the components and buses found inside a typical Personal Computer (PC). General purpose registers …
Question 5Hardware · 10 marks
A Personal Computer (PC) has a number of input and output devices. (a) (i) Name three components of a speaker. …
Question 6Ethics and Ownership · 8 marks
Raj has joined a software company as a trainee programmer. He was given the company’s Code of Conduct document during his induction training. The handbook has a section headed ‘Ethical Behaviour’. (a) Describe what is meant by ethics. (b) Raj …
Question 7Databases · 16 marks
A clinic is staffed by several doctors. The clinic serves thousands of patients. Each day and at any one time, there is only one doctor in the clinic available for appointments. The clinic stores patient, doctor and appointment data in …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2017

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9608_w17_ms_13), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017?

45 marks out of 75, a C needed 34.

Which topics came up in 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017?

Mostly Processor Fundamentals, Databases, Security, privacy and data integrity. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2017?

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.