Cambridge A Level · 9618 · Paper 1 · Theory fundamentals

Computer Science 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9618) Paper 1 (Theory fundamentals), variant 3, Oct/Nov 2021: 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: 46

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 9618_w21_qp_13 · 9618_w21_ms_13

Grade thresholds for 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021

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
46	40	33	26	20

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Information representation	2	17
System Software	1	14
Databases	1	10
Security, privacy and data integrity	1	9
Communication	1	9
Hardware	1	8
Processor Fundamentals	1	8

Questions in 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021

Question 1Information representation · 9 marks
(a) Draw one line from each binary value to its equivalent (same) value on the right. 1 kibibyte 1 gigabyte 1 byte 1 kilobyte 1 gibibyte 1 megabyte 1 mebibyte 8 bits 8000 bits 1000 kilobytes 1024 mebibytes 8192 bits …
Question 2Security, privacy and data integrity · 9 marks
Xanthe wants to maintain the integrity and security of data stored on her computer. (a) Explain the difference between data security and data integrity. (b) Xanthe uses both data validation and data verification when entering data on her computer. (i) …
Question 3Hardware · 8 marks
Question 4System Software · 14 marks
Francis is starting his first job as a software developer for a multinational company. (a) Francis has been advised to join a professional ethical body. Describe the benefits to Francis of joining a professional ethical body. (b) Francis is shown …
Question 5Databases · 10 marks
Javier owns many shops that sell cars. He employs several managers who are each in charge of one or more shops. He uses the relational database CARS to store the data about his business. Part of the database is shown: …
Question 6Processor Fundamentals · 8 marks
(a) There are two errors in the following register transfer notation for the fetch‑execute cycle. 1 MAR [PC] 2 PC [PC] …
Question 7Information representation · 8 marks
Bobby is recording a sound file for his school project. (a) He repeats the recording of the sound several times, with a different sample rate each time. (i) Describe the reasons why the sound is closer to the original when …
Question 8Communication · 9 marks
A school is setting up a network within one of its buildings. (a) State whether the network will be a LAN (local area network) or a WAN (wide area network). Justify your choice. (b) One classroom in the building has …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2021

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9618_w21_ms_13), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021?

46 marks out of 75, a C needed 33.

Which topics came up in 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021?

Mostly Information representation, System Software, Databases. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9618/13 Oct/Nov 2021?

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.