Cambridge A Level · 9618 · Paper 1 · Theory fundamentals
Computer Science 9618/12 Oct/Nov 2025 past paper
Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9618) Paper 1 (Theory fundamentals), variant 2, Oct/Nov 2025: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 11 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.
- Questions
- 11
- Marks
- 75
- Grade A from
- 49
File names: 9618_w25_qp_12 · 9618_w25_ms_12
Grade thresholds for 9618/12 Oct/Nov 2025
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 41 | 34 | 27 | 21 |
Topics in this paper
Which syllabus chapters 9618/12 Oct/Nov 2025 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.
| Chapter | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | 3 | 17 |
| Communication | 2 | 15 |
| Information representation | 2 | 10 |
| Processor Fundamentals | 1 | 10 |
| Databases | 1 | 10 |
| System Software | 1 | 7 |
| Ethics and Ownership | 1 | 6 |
Questions in 9618/12 Oct/Nov 2025
- Question 1
Draw one line from each verification method to indicate whether it is used during data transfer or data entry. Verification Method Parity byte check Checksum Visual check Parity block check Use Data transfer Data entry
- Question 2
(a) Complete the table by describing each term. Term Description Copyright Open Source (Initiative) Shareware Software Licence (b) Describe the purpose of a code of conduct.
- Question 3
(a) (i) State what is meant by relative addressing. (ii) Registers such as the Accumulator (ACC) and the Index Register (IX) are used in the CPU. Identify two special purpose registers used in the CPU. Do not include the ACC …
- Question 4
A relational database, SHIPPING, stores data about the ships in a company and the containers that are carried on the ships. The database has the following tables: CONTAINER(ContainerID, Type, Weight, OwnerName, ShipID) SHIP(ShipID, Type, Capacity, ShipName) (a) Describe the relationship …
- Question 5
A local area network (LAN) has five computers, one switch and one server. (a) Describe the characteristics of a LAN. (b) Complete the following diagram to show how these devices are connected in a star topology. Computer Computer Computer Server …
- Question 6
(a) A sound file is compressed by reducing the sampling rate. State whether this is lossless or lossy compression. Justify your choice. Type of compression Justification (b) The following table shows some words and corresponding denary values. Word Denary value …
- Question 7
(a) The following binary addition is performed using 8‑bit registers. Complete the calculation using binary addition. …
- Question 8
A restaurant accesses software and stores data using cloud computing. (a) (i) Give two benefits of storing data using cloud computing. 1 2 (ii) Give two drawbacks of using cloud computing. …
- Question 9
(a) Consider the following logic circuit: …
- Question 10
A programmer is developing a computer program. (a) Explain how the programmer can first use an interpreter and then a compiler to develop the computer program. Interpreter Compiler (b) The programmer releases the program as Free Software. Describe what is …
- Question 11
An automated system opens doors when a person is detected within 2 metres. The system closes the doors when there is no longer a person within 2 metres. Identify whether the automated system is an example of a monitoring system …
Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2025
- 9618/11 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
- 9618/33 Advanced theory
- 9618/41 Practical programming
- 9618/42 Practical programming
- 9618/43 Practical programming