Computer Science 9618/33 May/June 2023 past paper

Grade thresholds for 9618/33 May/June 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.

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9618/33 May/June 2023 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Questions in 9618/33 May/June 2023

1. Question 1Data Representation · 6 marks

   Numbers are stored in two different computer systems by using floating-point representation. System 1 uses: • 10 bits for the mantissa • 6 bits for the exponent • two’s complement form for both the mantissa and the exponent. System 2 …

2. Question 2Artificial Intelligence (AI) · 6 marks

   (a) Draw one line from each machine learning category to its most appropriate description. Machine learning category Description Supervised learning Reinforcement learning Deep learning Unsupervised learning simulates the data-processing capabilities of the human brain to make decisions enables learning by …

3. Question 3Databases · 6 marks

   (a) A hashing algorithm is used to calculate storage locations for records in a random access file. It calculates hash values by using the function modulus 3. The function modulus gives the remainder after integer division. For example, 1030 modulus …

4. Question 4Data Types and Structures · 4 marks

   Two descriptions of user-defined data types are given. Give appropriate type declaration statements for each, including appropriate names. (a) A data type to hold a set of prime numbers below 20. These prime numbers are: …

5. Question 5Communication and internet technologies · 6 marks

   (a) State, with a reason, where it would be appropriate to use circuit switching. (b) Give two benefits and two drawbacks of circuit switching. Benefit 1 Benefit 2 Drawback 1 Drawback 2

6. Question 6System Software (A Level) · 8 marks

   Several syntax diagrams are shown. 0 digit …

7. Question 7Hardware and Virtual Machines · 7 marks

   (a) Complete the Karnaugh map (K-map) for the following Boolean expression. …

8. Question 8Hardware and Virtual Machines · 3 marks

   Outline the characteristics of massively parallel computers.

9. Question 9Security (A Level) · 6 marks

   (a) Encryption is used to alter data into a form that makes it meaningless if intercepted. Describe the purpose of asymmetric key cryptography. (b) Identify two benefits and two drawbacks of quantum cryptography. Benefit 1 Benefit 2 Drawback 1 Drawback …

10. Question 10Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 5 marks

    The pseudocode algorithm shown copies an active accounts text file ActiveFile.txt to an archive accounts text file ArchiveFile.txt, one line at a time. Any blank lines found in the active accounts text file are replaced with the words "Account not …

11. Question 11Data Types and Structures · 11 marks

    Pseudocode is to be written to implement a queue Abstract Data Type (ADT) with items of the string data type. This will be implemented using the information in the table. Identifier Data type Description FrontPointer INTEGER points to the start …

12. Question 12Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 7 marks

    (a) Describe what is meant by recursion. (b) A Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers formed by adding together the two preceding numbers, for example: …

Other Computer Science papers from May/June 2023

• 9618/11 Theory fundamentals
• 9618/12 Theory fundamentals
• 9618/13 Theory fundamentals
• 9618/21 Problem-solving & programming
• 9618/22 Problem-solving & programming
• 9618/23 Problem-solving & programming
• 9618/31 Advanced theory
• 9618/32 Advanced theory
• 9618/41 Practical programming
• 9618/42 Practical programming
• 9618/43 Practical programming