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2023

Cambridge A Level · 9618 · Paper 3 · Advanced theory

Computer Science 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9618) Paper 3 (Advanced theory), variant 2, Oct/Nov 2023: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 12 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions
12
Marks
75
Grade A from
46
Open the question paperMark scheme

File names: 9618_w23_qp_32 · 9618_w23_ms_32

Grade thresholds for 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023

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
4637312621

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

ChapterQuestionsMarks
Data Types and Structures433
Hardware and Virtual Machines29
Further Programming19
Data Representation16
Databases15
System Software (A Level)15
Algorithm Design and Problem-solving15
Communication and internet technologies13

Questions in 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023

  1. Question 1Data Representation · 6 marks

    (a) Real numbers are stored in a computer using floating point representation with: • 10 bits for the mantissa • 6 bits for the exponent • two’s complement form for both the mantissa and the exponent. Write the normalised floating‑point …

  2. Question 2Data Types and Structures · 4 marks

    Describe what is meant by composite and non‑composite data types. Composite Non‑composite

  3. Question 3Databases · 5 marks

    The location of a record in a random file is determined using a hashing algorithm. A collision may occur during the process of adding a record. (a) Outline what is meant by the term collision in this context. (b) Explain …

  4. Question 4Communication and internet technologies · 3 marks

    Complete the following paragraph about a protocol suite, using words from the given list. Some words are not used. BitTorrent circuit switching layered link list peer‑to‑peer queue stack star TCP/IP The protocols in a determine the interconnectivity rules for a …

  5. Question 5System Software (A Level) · 5 marks

    (a) Outline the reasons why an operating system may need to use virtual memory. (b) Explain the circumstances in which disk thrashing could occur.

  6. Question 6Data Types and Structures · 7 marks

    (a) The Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) expression: …

  7. Question 7Hardware and Virtual Machines · 5 marks

    (a) This logic circuit represents the Boolean expression: …

  8. Question 8Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 5 marks

    Calculate the shortest distance between the Start and each of the destinations in the diagram using Dijkstra’s algorithm. Show your working and write your answers in the table provided. …

  9. Question 9Data Types and Structures · 13 marks

    (a) A stack Abstract Data Type (ADT) is to be implemented using pseudocode, with procedures to initialise it and to push new items onto the stack. A 1D array Stack stores the contents of the stack. (i) Study the pseudocode …

  10. Question 10Hardware and Virtual Machines · 4 marks

    Describe the features of the SIMD and MISD computer architectures. SIMD MISD

  11. Question 11Further Programming · 9 marks

    A declarative programming language is used to represent some facts about people and their hobbies. 01 hobby(music). 02 hobby(caving). 03 hobby(climbing). 04 hobby(camping). 05 hobby(baking). 06 hobby(travelling). 07 person(toby). 08 person(natasha). 09 person(fatima). 10 person(joseph). 11 person(elijah). 12 person(nina). 13 …

  12. Question 12Data Types and Structures · 9 marks

    (a) Describe, with an example, what is meant by an exception. (b) A pseudocode algorithm searches for a customer record in a random file AccountRecord.dat. A user inputs the name of the customer. The records are stored using the user‑defined …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2023

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023 mark scheme?
Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9618_w23_ms_32), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.
What was the grade threshold for an A in 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023?
46 marks out of 75, a C needed 31.
Which topics came up in 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023?
Mostly Data Types and Structures, Hardware and Virtual Machines, Further Programming. The full list is in the table above.
Do I need an account to open 9618/32 Oct/Nov 2023?
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.