9618 May/June 2021 Past Papers — A Level Computer Science
AS & A Level Computer Science — the May/June 2021 examination series: 12 question papers with their mark schemes, the examiner report and the grade thresholds. Under each paper is ZAK's question map: the topic, marks, command words and assessment objectives of every question, each one a click away from its mark scheme in the past-paper practice tool.
Papers
12
4 papers × 3 variants
Questions mapped
82
900 marks
Examiner report
Yes
per-question comments
Grade thresholds
Yes
marks needed for each grade
Paper 1 — Theory Fundamentals
1h 30m · 75 marks · 25% of A Level (50% of AS)
9618/11 Paper 1, variant 1
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 17 | Ethics and Ownership+ Information Representation (15) | Describe, Identify, Give, Complete, Calculate, Convert, Show | AO1 7 · AO2 10 |
| Q2 | 8 | System Software | Identify, Draw | AO1 8 |
| Q3 | 13 | Processor Fundamentals | Identify, Write, Complete | AO1 6 · AO2 7 |
| Q4 | 14 | Communication | Describe, Explain, Tick | AO1 14 |
| Q5 | 6 | Hardware | State, Describe, Explain | AO1 6 |
| Q6 | 3 | Security, Privacy and Data Integrity | State | AO1 3 |
| Q7 | 11 | Databases | Explain, Give, Write, Tick | AO1 10 · AO2 1 |
| Q8 | 3 | Hardware | Tick | AO1 3 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/12 Paper 1, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 16 | Databases | Give, Write, Complete, Justify, Tick | AO1 10 · AO2 6 |
| Q2 | 9 | Ethics and Ownership | Describe, Explain, Tick | AO1 9 |
| Q3 | 6 | Hardware | Complete, Draw | AO2 6 |
| Q4 | 8 | Processor Fundamentals | Write, Complete | AO1 1 · AO2 7 |
| Q5 | 17 | Communication+ Processor Fundamentals (9) | Describe, Give, Complete, Draw | AO1 17 |
| Q6 | 6 | Information Representation | State, Explain, Write | AO1 4 · AO2 2 |
| Q7 | 8 | System Software | Describe, Identify | AO1 8 |
| Q8 | 5 | Security, Privacy and Data Integrity | Describe, Identify | AO1 5 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/13 Paper 1, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 17 | Information Representation | Describe, Identify, Give, Complete, Calculate, Convert, Show | AO1 7 · AO2 10 |
| Q2 | 8 | System Software | Identify, Draw | AO1 8 |
| Q3 | 13 | Processor Fundamentals | Identify, Write, Complete | AO1 6 · AO2 7 |
| Q4 | 14 | Communication | Describe, Explain, Tick | AO1 14 |
| Q5 | 6 | Hardware | State, Describe, Explain | AO1 6 |
| Q6 | 3 | Security, Privacy and Data Integrity | State | AO1 3 |
| Q7 | 11 | Databases | Explain, Give, Write, Tick | AO1 10 · AO2 1 |
| Q8 | 3 | Hardware | Tick | AO1 3 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 questions · 75 marks mapped.
Paper 2 — Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills
2h · 75 marks · 25% of A Level (50% of AS)
9618/21 Paper 2, variant 1
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 12 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (6) | State, Describe, Complete | AO2 12 |
| Q2 | 13 | Programming+ Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving (7) | Write, Draw | AO3 13 |
| Q3 | 10 | Data Types and Structures | State, Explain, Write, Suggest | AO2 3 · AO3 7 |
| Q4 | 10 | Programming | State, Write, Complete, Justify, Name | AO2 7 · AO3 3 |
| Q5 | 8 | Data Types and Structures+ Programming (4) | Write | AO3 8 |
| Q6 | 6 | Data Types and Structures | Describe, Explain | AO2 6 |
| Q7 | 16 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (5) | Write | AO3 16 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 7 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/22 Paper 2, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 11 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (6) | Complete, Evaluate, Name | AO2 11 |
| Q2 | 11 | Software Development | State, Identify, Give, Complete, Examine | AO2 11 |
| Q3 | 6 | Data Types and Structures | Explain, Identify, Give, Complete | AO2 6 |
| Q4 | 6 | Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving+ Programming (3) | Write | AO3 6 |
| Q5 | 15 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (7) | Describe, Give, Write, Examine | AO2 3 · AO3 12 |
| Q6 | 8 | Programming | Write | AO3 8 |
| Q7 | 5 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (2) | Explain, Give | AO2 5 |
| Q8 | 13 | Programming | Write | AO3 13 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/23 Paper 2, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 12 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (6) | State, Describe, Complete | AO2 12 |
| Q2 | 13 | Programming+ Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving (7) | Write, Draw | AO3 13 |
| Q3 | 10 | Data Types and Structures | State, Explain, Write, Suggest | AO2 3 · AO3 7 |
| Q4 | 10 | Programming | State, Write, Complete, Justify, Name | AO2 7 · AO3 3 |
| Q5 | 8 | Data Types and Structures+ Programming (4) | Write | AO3 8 |
| Q6 | 6 | Data Types and Structures | Describe, Explain | AO2 6 |
| Q7 | 16 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (5) | Write | AO3 16 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 7 questions · 75 marks mapped.
Paper 3 — Advanced Theory
1h 30m · 75 marks · 25% of A Level
9618/31 Paper 3, variant 1
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14 | Data Representation | Describe, Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 5 · AO2 9 |
| Q2 | 8 | Data Representation | Describe, Define | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q3 | 9 | System Software | Explain, Draw | AO1 9 |
| Q4 | 8 | System Software | Explain, Identify, Write, Show, Evaluate | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
| Q5 | 8 | Artificial Intelligence | Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q6 | 4 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Give | AO1 4 |
| Q7 | 8 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | State, Write, Complete, Show | AO1 1 · AO2 7 |
| Q8 | 8 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | State, Write, Name | AO1 2 · AO2 6 |
| Q9 | 8 | Further Programming | Describe, Identify, Program | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 9 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/32 Paper 3, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14 | Data Representation | Describe, Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 5 · AO2 9 |
| Q2 | 8 | Data Representation | Describe, Define | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q3 | 9 | System Software | Explain, Draw | AO1 9 |
| Q4 | 8 | System Software | Explain, Identify, Write, Show, Evaluate | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
| Q5 | 8 | Artificial Intelligence | Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q6 | 4 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Give | AO1 4 |
| Q7 | 8 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | State, Write, Complete, Show | AO1 1 · AO2 7 |
| Q8 | 8 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | State, Write, Name | AO1 2 · AO2 6 |
| Q9 | 8 | Further Programming | Describe, Identify, Program | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 9 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/33 Paper 3, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14 | Data Representation | Describe, Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 5 · AO2 9 |
| Q2 | 8 | Data Representation | Describe, Define | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q3 | 9 | System Software | Explain, Draw | AO1 9 |
| Q4 | 8 | System Software | Explain, Identify, Write, Show, Evaluate | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
| Q5 | 8 | Artificial Intelligence | Explain, Calculate, Show | AO1 3 · AO2 5 |
| Q6 | 4 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Give | AO1 4 |
| Q7 | 8 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | State, Write, Complete, Show | AO1 1 · AO2 7 |
| Q8 | 8 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | State, Write, Name | AO1 2 · AO2 6 |
| Q9 | 8 | Further Programming | Describe, Identify, Program | AO1 4 · AO2 4 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 9 questions · 75 marks mapped.
Paper 4 — Practical
2h 30m · 75 marks · 25% of A Level
9618/41 Paper 4, variant 1
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 24 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 24 |
| Q2 | 20 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 20 |
| Q3 | 31 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 31 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 3 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/42 Paper 4, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 24 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 24 |
| Q2 | 20 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 20 |
| Q3 | 31 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 31 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 3 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/43 Paper 4, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 24 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 24 |
| Q2 | 20 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 20 |
| Q3 | 31 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 31 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 3 questions · 75 marks mapped.
Topics in this session
Marks per topic, added up over every variant of the paper (a question that spans topics shares its marks between them). See how each topic behaves across all sessions on the Statometer.
Paper 1 225 marks over 3 variants
- Processor Fundamentals43 marks · 19% · trend
- Information Representation38 marks · 17% · trend
- Communication36 marks · 16% · trend
- System Software24 marks · 11% · trend
- Ethics and Ownership11 marks · 5% · trend
- Security, Privacy and Data Integrity11 marks · 5% · trend
Paper 2 225 marks over 3 variants
- Programming118 marks · 52% · trend
- Data Types and Structures81 marks · 36% · trend
- Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving16 marks · 7% · trend
- Software Development11 marks · 5% · trend
Paper 3 225 marks over 3 variants
- Data Representation66 marks · 29% · trend
- System Software51 marks · 23% · trend
- Artificial Intelligence24 marks · 11% · trend
- Hardware and Virtual Machines24 marks · 11% · trend
- Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving24 marks · 11% · trend
- Further Programming24 marks · 11% · trend
- Communication and Internet Technologies12 marks · 5% · trend
Paper 4 225 marks over 3 variants
- Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving132 marks · 59% · trend
- Further Programming93 marks · 41% · trend
Command words in this session
How many of the session's questions use each command word — each one tells you what the mark scheme wants.
Question papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds are © Cambridge Assessment International Education; the links open the PDFs on PapaCambridge (BestExamHelp or Cambridge's own site where PapaCambridge lacks a file). The question map shows references, marks and ZAK's topic and assessment-objective tagging only — topics and AOs are estimated from the question and mark-scheme wording.