Cambridge A Level · 9608 · Paper 3 · Advanced theory

Computer Science 9608/33 May/June 2018 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9608) (previous syllabus, now 9618) Paper 3 (Advanced theory), variant 3, May/June 2018: 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: 52

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 9608_s18_qp_33 · 9608_s18_ms_33

Grade thresholds for 9608/33 May/June 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
52	45	38	32	25

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9608/33 May/June 2018 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Data Representation	2	18
Hardware and Virtual Machines	1	15
Communication	1	13
Security, privacy and data integrity	1	10
Hardware	1	10
System Software (A Level)	1	9

Questions in 9608/33 May/June 2018

Question 1Data Representation · 8 marks
In a computer system, real numbers are stored using normalised floating-point representation with: • 12 bits for the mantissa • 4 bits for the exponent • Two’s complement form for both mantissa and exponent. (a) Find the denary value for …
Question 2Data Representation · 10 marks
A programmer uses non-composite and composite data types to create a program. (a) Define the term non-composite data type. (b) Describe two different non-composite data types. Data type 1 Description Data type 2 Description (c) Define the term composite data …
Question 3Communication · 13 marks
Star and bus are two types of topology that can be used in a Local Area Network (LAN). Star topology Bus topology (a) (i) State one benefit and one drawback of the star topology. Benefit Drawback (ii) State one benefit …
Question 4Hardware and Virtual Machines · 15 marks
(a) A Boolean expression produces the following truth table. INPUT OUTPUT …
Question 5System Software (A Level) · 9 marks
The following syntax diagrams show the syntax of: • an assignment statement • a variable • a signed integer • a letter • a digit • an operator …
Question 6Security, privacy and data integrity · 10 marks
A company specialises in educational software. (a) The company is concerned that malware might disrupt their business. (i) Add appropriate descriptions and terms in the table. Description Term A Redirection to a bogus website that appears to be legitimate to …
Question 7Hardware · 10 marks
A museum stores antique items that need to be kept at constant temperature. The museum is not sure about the actual temperatures. The museum installs some equipment. This records the temperatures every hour and ensures the temperature stays within a …

Other Computer Science papers from May/June 2018

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9608/33 May/June 2018 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9608_s18_ms_33), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 9608/33 May/June 2018?

52 marks out of 75, a C needed 38.

Which topics came up in 9608/33 May/June 2018?

Mostly Data Representation, Hardware and Virtual Machines, Communication. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9608/33 May/June 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.