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2017

Cambridge A Level · 9608 · Paper 3 · Advanced theory

Computer Science 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9608) (previous syllabus, now 9618) Paper 3 (Advanced theory), variant 1, Oct/Nov 2017: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 6 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions
6
Marks
75
Grade A from
50
Open the question paperMark scheme

File names: 9608_w17_qp_31 · 9608_w17_ms_31

Grade thresholds for 9608/31 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.

ABCDE
5044373023

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

ChapterQuestionsMarks
Hardware and Virtual Machines225
Processor Fundamentals115
System Software (A Level)113
Communication112
Security (A Level)110

Questions in 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017

  1. Question 1Communication · 12 marks

    A Local Area Network (LAN) consists of three computers, one server and a switch. The LAN uses a star topology. (a) Complete the following diagram to show how the computers, the server and the switch could be connected. Switch Computer …

  2. Question 2Hardware and Virtual Machines · 10 marks

    (a) The following diagram shows four descriptions and four types of computer architecture. Draw lines to connect each description to the appropriate computer architecture. Most parallel computer systems use this architecture. Widely used to process 3D graphics in video games. …

  3. Question 3System Software (A Level) · 13 marks

    The following syntax diagrams for a particular programming language show the syntax of: • an assignment statement • a variable • an unsigned integer • a letter • an operator • a digit. Assignment statement Variable Variable := Variable Operator …

  4. Question 4Security (A Level) · 10 marks

    The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol and its successor, the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, are used in Internet communications between clients and servers. (a) (i) Define the term protocol. (ii) Explain the purpose of the TLS protocol. (b) A …

  5. Question 5Hardware and Virtual Machines · 15 marks

    (a) (i) Complete the truth table for this 2-input NAND gate: …

  6. Question 6Processor Fundamentals · 15 marks

    A large warehouse stores goods that must be kept above a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. The warehouse has six temperature sensors which are each placed at a different location in the warehouse. A computer system is programmed to turn …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2017

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017 mark scheme?
Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9608_w17_ms_31), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.
What was the grade threshold for an A in 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017?
50 marks out of 75, a C needed 37.
Which topics came up in 9608/31 Oct/Nov 2017?
Mostly Hardware and Virtual Machines, Processor Fundamentals, System Software (A Level). The full list is in the table above.
Do I need an account to open 9608/31 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.