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A-Level Computer Science Past Papers & Drilling (Paper 1): Binary, Logic, CPU, Databases
TUTORZONE ORIGINAL DRILLING MOCK · CAMBRIDGE A-LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE (9618) PAPER 1
Written to the Cambridge 9618 syllabus (2027-2029): Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals, 75 marks, 1 h 30 min, 25% of A Level (sections 1-8, all compulsory, no calculators); plus Paper 2 Programming (2 h), Paper 3 Advanced Theory (25%), Paper 4 Practical (25%). This is a Paper 1 drilling mock: 10 questions for 75 marks with answers and techniques.
What is in the A-Level Computer Science (9618) exam?
Direct answer: four papers: Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals, 75 marks, 25%; Paper 2 Programming, 75 marks; Paper 3 Advanced Theory, 75 marks, 25%; Paper 4 Practical, 75 marks, 25%.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Theory Fundamentals) | Short-answer and structured, 75 marks, sections 1-8 | 25% A-Level | 1 h 30 min |
| Paper 3 (Advanced Theory) | sections 13-20, 75 marks | 25% A-Level | 1 h 30 min |
A-Level Computer Science drilling technique: 10 questions in 1 h 30 min is about 9 minutes each. Show place values for binary; give definitions and examples for concepts (primary/foreign key, LAN/WAN).
How this paper was built
This is a TutorZone original drilling mock: the questions follow the Cambridge 9618 structure (Paper 1, 75 marks, 25% of A Level) and the answers are our own, not Cambridge past papers or marking references.
Numerical answers (binary/hex) were recomputed programmatically.
Pacing
| Section | Marks | Suggested time | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Theory Fundamentals) | 25% A-Level | about 9 min per question | show steps for binary, definitions for concepts |
| Paper 3 (Advanced Theory) | 25% A-Level | about 9 min per question | data structures, algorithms, OS |
What is binary 1101?
Direct answer: 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13.
Paper 1: structured drilling (10 questions, 75 marks)
All compulsory; aim for 80 minutes with 10 to check. Steps for binary, definitions for concepts.
Question 1 (7 marks)
Convert the binary number 1101 to denary.
Question 2 (7 marks)
Convert the hexadecimal number 1A to denary.
Question 3 (7 marks)
Add the binary numbers 1101 and 0011, giving the result in binary.
Question 4 (8 marks)
Name the AND, OR and NOT logic gates, giving one output example for each.
Question 5 (8 marks)
Name three components of the CPU and state one function of each.
Question 6 (8 marks)
State two functions of an operating system.
Question 7 (8 marks)
Explain the difference between a LAN and a WAN.
Question 8 (8 marks)
Explain the difference between a primary key and a foreign key in a relational database.
Question 9 (7 marks)
State two network-security measures and explain what each does.
Question 10 (7 marks)
Explain the difference between serial and parallel transmission.
What is the difference between a primary and foreign key?
Direct answer: a primary key uniquely identifies each record; a foreign key references another table’s primary key, linking the tables.
Paper 1 answers
Question 1
1101_2 = 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13 (7).
Question 2
1A_16 = 1×16 + 10 = 26 (7).
Question 3
1101 + 0011 = 10000 (7).
Question 4
(1) AND: outputs 1 only when both inputs are 1 (3). (2) OR: outputs 1 when any input is 1 (3). (3) NOT: inverts, 1 becomes 0 (2).
Question 5
(1) ALU – performs arithmetic and logic (3). (2) Control Unit – controls the flow of data and instructions (3). (3) Registers – hold data temporarily (2).
Question 6
(1) Manages hardware resources (memory, processor) (4). (2) Provides a user interface and manages files (4).
Question 7
LAN covers a small area (a school) at high speed (4); WAN covers a large area (national/global) at lower speed (4).
Question 8
A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table (4); a foreign key references another table’s primary key, linking the tables (4).
Question 9
(1) Firewall – filters traffic in and out (4). (2) Encryption – turns data into ciphertext against eavesdropping (3).
Question 10
Serial: one bit at a time, suited to long distance (4); parallel: several bits at once, faster but prone to interference, for short distance (3).
What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN?
Direct answer: a LAN covers a small area (a school) at high speed; a WAN covers a large area (national/global) at lower speed.
Where these marks are usually lost
| Mistake | What it looks like | What it costs | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrong place values | 1101 as 11 | Place values are 8/4/2/1 | 8+4+0+1 = 13 |
| Hex error | 1A as 11 | A=10, 1A=1×16+10 | 1A = 26 |
| Key confusion | Foreign key as unique | Primary key is unique, foreign key references | Primary=unique, foreign=reference |
How to use this paper
First drill: the full 1 h 30 min on all 10 questions with no references.
Mark it: check binary steps and concept definitions.
Second drill: redo three to seven days later, aiming to finish inside 1 h 15 min.
What should I do after drilling this paper?
Direct answer: log questions with wrong place values or key confusion; redo in three to seven days; and drill Paper 2 programming.
FAQ
Is this a Cambridge past paper?
No. The questions and answers are TutorZone originals, not Cambridge past papers or marking references.
How many papers does A-Level Computer Science have?
Four: Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals, Paper 2 Programming, Paper 3 Advanced Theory, Paper 4 Practical.
What is binary 1101?
8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13.
Official references
| Resource | What to check |
|---|---|
| Cambridge A-Level Computer Science 9618 syllabus (2027-2029) | Confirm the Paper 1-4 marks and times |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-igcse-computer-science-0478-paper-1-mock-2027/ | IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 drilling mock |
Related: practice area · A-Level Computer Science 9618 drilling guide (drill order and pacing) · IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 drilling mock
Next step: find a tutor / register as a tutor
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