9618 Oct/Nov 2025 Past Papers — A Level Computer Science
AS & A Level Computer Science — the Oct/Nov 2025 examination series: 12 question papers with their mark schemes 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
98
900 marks
Examiner report
—
not published for this series
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 | 7 | Information Representation | Complete, Convert, Show, Name | AO2 7 |
| Q2 | 13 | Databases | Explain, Write, Complete | AO1 7 · AO2 6 |
| Q3 | 4 | Hardware | Write, Draw | AO2 4 |
| Q4 | 4 | Processor Fundamentals | Write | AO2 4 |
| Q5 | 10 | System Software | State, Describe, Identify | AO1 10 |
| Q6 | 7 | Processor Fundamentals+ Hardware (2) | State, Describe, Complete | AO1 7 |
| Q7 | 14 | Communication+ Information Representation (7) | Explain, Complete, Calculate, Show, Justify, Circle, Consider | AO1 10 · AO2 4 |
| Q8 | 9 | Ethics and Ownership+ Security, Privacy and Data Integrity (4) | Describe, Explain, Give | AO1 9 |
| Q9 | 3 | Hardware | Describe | AO1 3 |
| Q10 | 4 | Hardware | State, Explain | AO1 4 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 10 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/12 Paper 1, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 2 | Security, Privacy and Data Integrity | Draw | AO1 2 |
| Q2 | 6 | Ethics and Ownership | Describe, Complete | AO1 6 |
| Q3 | 10 | Processor Fundamentals | State, Explain, Identify, Write | AO1 7 · AO2 3 |
| Q4 | 10 | Databases | Describe, Write | AO1 4 · AO2 6 |
| Q5 | 13 | Communication+ Security, Privacy and Data Integrity (5) | Describe, Complete | AO1 13 |
| Q6 | 6 | Information Representation+ Security, Privacy and Data Integrity (2) | State, Complete, Calculate, Show, Justify, Circle | AO1 2 · AO2 4 |
| Q7 | 4 | Information Representation | State, Write, Complete | AO1 1 · AO2 3 |
| Q8 | 10 | Communication+ Hardware (6), System Software (2) | Explain, Identify, Give | AO1 10 |
| Q9 | 4 | Hardware | Identify, Write, Consider | AO2 4 |
| Q10 | 7 | Ethics and Ownership+ System Software (5) | State, Describe, Explain | AO1 3 · AO2 4 |
| Q11 | 3 | Hardware | Identify, Justify | AO2 3 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 11 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/13 Paper 1, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 7 | Information Representation | Explain, Give, Draw | AO1 4 · AO2 3 |
| Q2 | 6 | Information Representation | Convert, Show | AO1 3 · AO2 3 |
| Q3 | 4 | Hardware | Complete, Draw | AO2 4 |
| Q4 | 7 | Communication+ Hardware (3) | Give, Complete | AO1 4 · AO2 3 |
| Q5 | 16 | Databases | Describe, Write, Complete | AO1 7 · AO2 9 |
| Q6 | 11 | Processor Fundamentals | Describe, Complete | AO1 7 · AO2 4 |
| Q7 | 14 | Ethics and Ownership+ Security, Privacy and Data Integrity (7), Hardware (5), Information Representation (2) | Describe, Identify, Complete, Calculate, Show | AO1 9 · AO2 5 |
| Q8 | 10 | System Software | State, Explain, Identify, Give | AO1 10 |
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 | 10 | Programming+ Software Development (3) | Explain, Complete | AO2 10 |
| Q2 | 5 | Data Types and Structures | Complete | AO3 5 |
| Q3 | 9 | Data Types and Structures | State, Write | AO2 3 · AO3 6 |
| Q4 | 9 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (5) | State, Give, Complete | AO2 3 · AO3 6 |
| Q5 | 6 | Programming+ Data Types and Structures (4) | Explain, Suggest, Comment | AO2 6 |
| Q6 | 9 | Programming | Identify, Write | AO2 2 · AO3 7 |
| Q7 | 10 | Programming+ Software Development (5) | Complete | AO3 10 |
| Q8 | 17 | Data Types and Structures+ Programming (9) | Write, Outline | AO2 2 · AO3 15 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/22 Paper 2, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 11 | Programming | Write, Complete, Evaluate | AO2 7 · AO3 4 |
| Q2 | 5 | Data Types and Structures | Complete | AO3 5 |
| Q3 | 10 | Data Types and Structures | Explain, Complete | AO2 10 |
| Q4 | 13 | Data Types and Structures | Describe, Write, Complete, Comment | AO2 4 · AO3 9 |
| Q5 | 5 | Software Development | Identify, Complete | AO2 5 |
| Q6 | 7 | Programming | Write | AO3 7 |
| Q7 | 6 | Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving+ Programming (2), Software Development (2) | Explain, Write, Convert, Analyse | AO2 2 · AO3 4 |
| Q8 | 18 | Data Types and Structures+ Programming (9) | Explain, Write, Outline | AO2 4 · AO3 14 |
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 | 10 | Programming | State, Complete | AO2 8 · AO3 2 |
| Q2 | 8 | Data Types and Structures+ Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving (5) | Describe, Identify | AO2 8 |
| Q3 | 5 | Data Types and Structures | Complete | AO3 5 |
| Q4 | 6 | Programming | Complete | AO3 6 |
| Q5 | 8 | Programming | Identify, Write, Complete | AO2 6 · AO3 2 |
| Q6 | 9 | Programming | Write, Outline | AO2 2 · AO3 7 |
| Q7 | 9 | Programming+ Software Development (5) | Complete, Draw, Program | AO3 9 |
| Q8 | 20 | Data Types and Structures+ Programming (10) | Explain, Identify, Write, Outline | AO2 5 · AO3 15 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 8 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 | 6 | Data Representation | Write | AO2 6 |
| Q2 | 6 | Data Representation | Write, Calculate, Show | AO2 6 |
| Q3 | 10 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Describe, Explain, Identify | AO1 10 |
| Q4 | 6 | System Software | Describe, Identify | AO1 6 |
| Q5 | 5 | Security | Explain, Identify | AO1 5 |
| Q6 | 9 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | Write, Complete, Draw, Show | AO1 2 · AO2 7 |
| Q7 | 6 | Artificial Intelligence | Describe, Identify | AO1 6 |
| Q8 | 8 | System Software | Write, Outline, Show | AO1 2 · AO2 6 |
| Q9 | 9 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | State, Write, Complete | AO1 3 · AO2 6 |
| Q10 | 3 | Data Representation | Explain | AO1 3 |
| Q11 | 7 | Hardware and Virtual Machines+ Further Programming (6) | State, Write, Show | AO1 1 · AO2 6 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 11 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/32 Paper 3, variant 2
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 | Data Representation | Write | AO2 6 |
| Q2 | 6 | Data Representation | Calculate, Show | AO2 6 |
| Q3 | 6 | Communication and Internet Technologies | State, Describe | AO1 6 |
| Q4 | 4 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Identify | AO1 4 |
| Q5 | 5 | System Software | Describe, Complete | AO1 5 |
| Q6 | 9 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | Write, Complete, Draw, Show | AO1 2 · AO2 7 |
| Q7 | 5 | Security | Explain, Identify | AO1 5 |
| Q8 | 8 | System Software | State, Convert, Show | AO1 1 · AO2 7 |
| Q9 | 6 | Artificial Intelligence | State, Describe, Identify | AO1 6 |
| Q10 | 4 | Data Representation | Describe, Identify | AO1 4 |
| Q11 | 7 | Hardware and Virtual Machines+ Further Programming (4) | Write, Show | AO2 7 |
| Q12 | 9 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Explain, Write, Complete | AO1 3 · AO2 6 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 12 questions · 75 marks mapped.
9618/33 Paper 3, variant 3
| Q | Marks | Topic | Command words | AO mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 8 | Data Representation | Identify, Write | AO1 2 · AO2 6 |
| Q2 | 6 | Data Representation | Describe, Outline | AO1 6 |
| Q3 | 4 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Describe | AO1 4 |
| Q4 | 6 | Communication and Internet Technologies | Identify | AO1 6 |
| Q5 | 4 | System Software | State, Explain | AO1 4 |
| Q6 | 8 | Hardware and Virtual Machines | Write, Draw, Show | AO2 8 |
| Q7 | 9 | System Software | Write, Outline, Show | AO1 2 · AO2 7 |
| Q8 | 5 | Artificial Intelligence | Write, Calculate, Show | AO2 5 |
| Q9 | 4 | Security | Outline | AO1 4 |
| Q10 | 6 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO2 6 |
| Q11 | 3 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Describe | AO1 3 |
| Q12 | 5 | Data Representation | Explain, Identify | AO1 5 |
| Q13 | 7 | Hardware and Virtual Machines+ Further Programming (4) | Write, Show | AO2 7 |
Q links open the question with its mark scheme. 13 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 | 20 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 20 |
| Q2 | 30 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 30 |
| Q3 | 25 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 25 |
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 | 28 | Further Programming | Write | AO3 28 |
| Q2 | 26 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving | Write | AO3 26 |
| Q3 | 21 | Further Programming+ Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving (10) | Write, Amend | AO3 21 |
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 | 31 | Further Programming | Write, Amend | AO3 31 |
| Q2 | 24 | Further Programming+ Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving (12) | Write | AO3 24 |
| Q3 | 20 | Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving+ Further Programming (13) | Write | AO3 20 |
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
- Information Representation37 marks · 16% · trend
- Processor Fundamentals31 marks · 14% · trend
- System Software27 marks · 12% · trend
- Communication22 marks · 10% · trend
- Security, Privacy and Data Integrity19 marks · 8% · trend
- Ethics and Ownership14 marks · 6% · trend
Paper 2 225 marks over 3 variants
- Programming113 marks · 50% · trend
- Data Types and Structures86 marks · 38% · trend
- Software Development20 marks · 9% · trend
- Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving7 marks · 3% · trend
Paper 3 225 marks over 3 variants
- Data Representation50 marks · 22% · trend
- System Software40 marks · 18% · trend
- Hardware and Virtual Machines34 marks · 15% · trend
- Communication and Internet Technologies30 marks · 13% · trend
- Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving27 marks · 12% · trend
- Artificial Intelligence17 marks · 8% · trend
- Further Programming13 marks · 6% · trend
Paper 4 225 marks over 3 variants
- Further Programming150 marks · 67% · trend
- Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving75 marks · 33% · 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.