Cambridge IGCSE · 0478 · Paper 2 · Algorithms, programming & logic

Computer Science 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023 past paper

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Paper 2 (Algorithms, programming & logic), variant 1, Oct/Nov 2023: the question paper and its official mark scheme, 10 questions worth 75 marks, with the grade thresholds. Free to open, no account needed.

Questions: 10
Marks: 75
Grade A from: 44

Open the question paper Mark scheme

File names: 0478_w23_qp_21 · 0478_w23_ms_21

Grade thresholds for 0478/21 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.

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
44	34	25	20	15	11	7

Topics in this paper

Which syllabus chapters 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023 tested, by marks. Each chapter links to every past-paper question on it.

Chapter	Questions	Marks
Databases	4	39
Scenario Question	1	15
Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving	2	8
Boolean Logic	1	8
Programming	2	5

Questions in 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023

Question 1Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving · 1 mark
Tick (3) one box to show which operator means less than or equal to. A OR …
Question 2Programming · 1 mark
Tick (3) one box to show how a value can be passed to a procedure. A function B parameter C return D subroutine
Question 3Programming · 4 marks
Four descriptions of data and five data types are shown. Draw one line to link each description to the most appropriate data type. Not all data types will be used. Description Data type a whole number a single letter a …
Question 4Databases · 3 marks
Circle the three words representing places where data may be stored. array constant dimension input output procedure variable
Question 5Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving · 7 marks
The first stage of the program development life cycle is analysis. Two of the tasks in analysis are abstraction and decomposition. (a) Describe what is meant by abstraction. (b) Identify three of the component parts when a problem has been …
Question 6Databases · 10 marks
An algorithm has been written in pseudocode. 01 DECLARE A[1:10] : STRING 02 DECLARE T : STRING 03 DECLARE …
Question 7Boolean Logic · 8 marks
Question 8Databases · 16 marks
A programmer is designing an algorithm to calculate the cost of a length of rope. The program requirements are: • input two values: the length of rope in metres Length and the cost of one metre Cost • perform a …
Question 9Databases · 10 marks
A model shop wants to set up a database to help with stock control of the model figures available for sale. The shop wants to store this information about the model figures: Field 1 – catalogue number, for example MD1234 …
Question 10Scenario Question · 15 marks
Drama students put on a performance of a play for one evening. Seats in a small theatre can be booked for this performance. The theatre has 10 rows of 20 seats. The status of the seat bookings for the evening …

Other Computer Science papers from Oct/Nov 2023

Questions students ask

Where can I get the 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023 mark scheme?

Open the mark scheme above - it is the official Cambridge scheme for this exact paper (0478_w23_ms_21), and on a wide screen it sits beside the question you are reading.

What was the grade threshold for an A in 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023?

44 marks out of 75, a C needed 25.

Which topics came up in 0478/21 Oct/Nov 2023?

Mostly Databases, Scenario Question, Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving. The full list is in the table above.

Do I need an account to open 0478/21 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.