Cambridge International (CAIE) · A Level · 9618
Cambridge A Level Computer Science past papers (9618)
Free guide to Cambridge International A Level Computer Science 9618 past papers. Papers 1 and 2 at AS, Papers 3 and 4 at A Level.
Go to official Cambridge past papers →Paper structure
Paper 1 — Theory Fundamentals (AS)
Written paper on data, networks, hardware, software, security and ethics.
Paper 2 — Fundamental Problem Solving and Programming Skills (AS)
Written paper on algorithms, pseudocode and programming.
Paper 3 — Advanced Theory
Written paper on the A Level theory content.
Paper 4 — Practical
Practical paper. Answered in one of Python, Java or VB.NET.
Topics that come up most
- Information representation
- Communication and internet technologies
- Hardware and virtual machines
- System software
- Security, privacy and data integrity
- Ethics and ownership
- Databases
- Algorithm design and problem solving
- Data types and structures
- Programming (Python, VB.NET or Java)
- Software development
- Object-oriented and low-level programming
- Further programming
Tutor's revision tips
- 1
Paper 4 is worth learning the pseudocode conventions perfectly — Cambridge marks against its own style guide, not general pseudocode.
- 2
OOP and recursion are the two hardest topics for most students; do at least ten practice questions on each before the exam.
- 3
Read the mark schemes as you revise — the phrasing repeats year after year and memorising it saves marks on definitions.
Where to download the papers
All past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for this specification are published free of charge by Cambridge International (CAIE) on their official assessment page. Always download the latest version — older papers may reference retired content.
Official Cambridge assessment resources →Other A Level boards
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