Computer Science 9618/31 Oct/Nov 2024 past paper

Grade thresholds for 9618/31 Oct/Nov 2024

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 9618/31 Oct/Nov 2024 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Questions in 9618/31 Oct/Nov 2024

1. Question 1Data Representation · 6 marks

   Numbers are stored in a computer using binary 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. (a) Calculate the normalised binary floating-point …

2. Question 2Processor Fundamentals · 4 marks

   Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC) is a type of processor. Identify four features of a RISC processor. …

3. Question 3Communication and internet technologies · 5 marks

   (a) Describe circuit switching as a method of data transmission. (b) State one benefit and one drawback of circuit switching as a method of data transmission. Benefit Drawback

4. Question 4Communication and internet technologies · 4 marks

   The TCP/IP protocol may be viewed as a stack that contains four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, Link. Describe how the layers of the TCP/IP protocol stack interact with each other.

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

   (a) Explain what is meant by a hashing algorithm in the context of file access. (b) The use of a hashing algorithm can result in the same storage location being identified for more than one record. Outline two methods of …

6. Question 6Data Types and Structures · 7 marks

   (a) Describe the user-defined data type set. (b) Write pseudocode statements to declare the set data type, SymbolSet, to hold the following set of mathematical operators, using the variable Operators. …

7. Question 7Hardware and Virtual Machines · 10 marks

   The truth table for a logic circuit is shown. INPUT OUTPUT …

8. Question 8System Software (A Level) · 7 marks

   (a) Describe the process of segmentation for memory management. (b) Explain what is meant by disk thrashing.

9. Question 9Further Programming · 6 marks

   A veterinary surgery wants to create a class for individual pets. Some of the attributes required in the class are listed in the table. Attribute Data type Description PetID STRING unique ID assigned at registration PetType STRING type of pet …

10. Question 10System Software (A Level) · 9 marks

    Several syntax diagrams are shown. …

11. Question 11Data Types and Structures · 12 marks

    The following diagram shows an ordered binary tree. Red Green Yellow Blue Orange Indigo Violet (a) A linked list of nodes is used to store the data. Each node consists of a left pointer, the data and a right pointer. …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2024

• 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
• 9618/32 Advanced theory
• 9618/33 Advanced theory
• 9618/41 Practical programming
• 9618/42 Practical programming
• 9618/43 Practical programming