Cambridge A Level · 9618 · Paper 2 · Problem-solving & programming

Computer Science 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025 past paper

Cambridge A Level Computer Science (9618) Paper 2 (Problem-solving & programming), variant 3, Oct/Nov 2025: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 8 questions worth 98 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_w25_qp_23 · 9618_w25_ms_23

Grade thresholds for 9618/23 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
46	37	30	23	16

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Programming	4	58
Data Types and Structures	3	32
Algorithm Design and Problem-solving	1	8

Questions in 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025

Question 1Programming · 12 marks
A user requires a program that implements complex data encryption to a recognised international standard. A programmer has started the design of the program. (a) The programmer decides to use a library routine to provide part of the solution. One …
Question 2Algorithm Design and Problem-solving · 8 marks
(a) A program contains a global 1D array of type STRING containing 65 elements. An existing text file is used to store the data in the array. Only non-blank elements (those that do not contain an empty string) are written …
Question 3Data Types and Structures · 6 marks
A program uses a stack to hold up to 30 integer values. The stack is implemented using a global integer variable and a global 1D array. The array is declared in pseudocode: DECLARE ThisStack : ARRAY[1:30] OF INTEGER Stack design …
Question 4Data Types and Structures · 6 marks
A program contains a global 1D array Data containing 20 elements of type INTEGER A global string NumString represents a sequence of three-digit numbers, separated by commas. For example: "101,456,219,754,328" The string contains at least four three-digit numbers. The total …
Question 5Programming · 28 marks
A global 1D array Num of integers contains four elements. A program assigns values to these elements as shown: Num 1 Num 2 Num 5 Num 3 A procedure Process() manipulates the values in the array. The procedure is written …
Question 6Programming · 9 marks
Students are learning about a simple check digit method for data validation. In this method, a single check digit is appended to the end of an original number to give a new number. The students are studying a method which: …
Question 7Programming · 9 marks
There are several different ways to express an algorithm during the design of a program. (a) One part of the program contains an algorithm which is represented by a state-transition diagram. The table shows the inputs, outputs and states for …
Question 8Data Types and Structures · 20 marks
A program is being developed to manage student book loans from a college library. The programmer has defined a record type to define each loan. The data items are: Data item Data type Comment StudentID STRING the unique ID of …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2025

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (9618_w25_ms_23), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025?

46 marks out of 75, a C needed 30.

Which topics came up in 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025?

Mostly Programming, Data Types and Structures, Algorithm Design and Problem-solving. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 9618/23 Oct/Nov 2025?

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.