Cambridge A Level · 9608 · Paper 1 · Theory fundamentals

Computer Science 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9608) (previous syllabus, now 9618) Paper 1 (Theory fundamentals), variant 3, Oct/Nov 2018: 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: 51

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 9608_w18_qp_13 · 9608_w18_ms_13

Grade thresholds for 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018

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
51	44	37	31	25

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Processor Fundamentals	2	24
Information representation	1	15
Ethics and Ownership	2	14
Communication	2	14
Hardware	1	8

Questions in 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018

Question 1Information representation · 15 marks
A product designer is creating a poster. (a) The designer creates a 6-colour bitmap image for the poster as shown. Each colour is represented by a letter, for example, R = red, B = blue. …
Question 2Processor Fundamentals · 13 marks
The following table shows assembly language instructions for a processor which has one general purpose register, the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX). Instruction Explanation Op code Operand LDD <address> Direct addressing. Load the contents of the location at …
Question 3Ethics and Ownership · 6 marks
This question presents three scenarios. Tick (✓) one box for each scenario to indicate whether you think the person’s behaviour is ethical or unethical. Justify your choice. (a) Mason is using his work computer to book a holiday whilst at …
Question 4Communication · 10 marks
Ava needs to view a website and she knows the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). (a) Complete the series of steps that take place. Write the letter of the appropriate statement in each space. A DNS finds corresponding IP B DNS …
Question 5Ethics and Ownership · 8 marks
Arnold is a software developer. He has created a computer game for people to download over the Internet. Arnold is considering releasing the game as a piece of commercial software. (a) (i) Describe what is meant by a commercial licence. …
Question 6Processor Fundamentals · 11 marks
The fetch-execute (FE) cycle uses special purpose registers. (a) The stages in the FE cycle are shown in register transfer notation. MAR [ ] PC PC …
Question 7Communication · 4 marks
The network manager of a Local Area Network (LAN) has replaced the Ethernet cables with a wireless network. (a) Give three benefits of a wireless network compared to a wired network. …
Question 8Hardware · 8 marks
(a) Draw a logic circuit to represent the logic expression: …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2018

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9608_w18_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 2018?

51 marks out of 75, a C needed 37.

Which topics came up in 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018?

Mostly Processor Fundamentals, Information representation, Ethics and Ownership. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9608/13 Oct/Nov 2018?

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.