Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2

[Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. * 8 1 7 2 4 5 6 6 0 1 * DC (WW/CB) 337421/2 © UCLES 2024 COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/12 Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals October/November 2024 1 hour 30 minutes You must answer on the question paper. No additional materials are needed. INSTRUCTIONS ● Answer all questions. ● Use a black or dark blue pen. ● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. ● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. ● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid. ● Do not write on any bar codes. ● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. ● Calculators must not be used in this paper. INFORMATION ● The total mark for this paper is 75. ● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. ● No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware. ,










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2 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 1 (a) Complete the truth table for the logic expression: X = (A XOR B) NAND (A AND (B XOR C)) A B C Working space X 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 [2] (b) Draw the logic circuit for the logic expression: W = P NAND ((Q OR NOT R) XOR (P XOR Q)) P Q W R [2] * 0000800000002 * ,










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3 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over 2 Embedded systems are used in many electronic devices. (a) Describe the drawbacks of embedded systems. … … … … … … [3] (b) An embedded system has Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Identify one benefit of using DRAM instead of Static RAM (SRAM) in an embedded system. … … [1] (c) Give two differences between Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM) and Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM). Difference 1 … … … Difference 2 … … … [2] * 0000800000003 * ,










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4 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 3 A student has a computer. (a) The computer is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Complete the table by describing the purpose of each of the given registers. Register Purpose Program Counter (PC) … … … Memory Address Register (MAR) … … … Memory Data Register (MDR) … … … Index Register (IX) … … … [4] * 0000800000004 * ,










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5 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over (b) The student needs to connect the computer to a monitor that has a screen resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels. The monitor also has built-in speakers. The computer has a Video Graphics Array (VGA) port and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. Explain the benefits of connecting the monitor to the computer using the HDMI port instead of the VGA port. … … … … … … … … [4] (c) The computer has an Operating System (OS). One of the key management tasks of the OS is process management. Describe the process management tasks performed by an OS. … … … … … … … … [4] * 0000800000005 * ,










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6 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 4 A program is written in a high-level language by a team of three programmers using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). (a) Describe how the programmers can use the debugging features of a typical IDE during the development of the program. … … … … … … … … [4] (b) The programmers created a new program library whilst developing the program. Describe the benefits to the programmers of creating a program library. … … … … … … [3] (c) The file containing the final program code will be sent by email for beta testing. Identify one security method that can be used to protect the program code from unauthorised access during email transfer. Explain how your chosen method protects the program code. Security method … … Explanation … … … … [3] * 0000800000006 * ,










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7 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over 5 A computer programmer is learning about the importance of acting ethically at work. (a) Explain the reasons why the computer programmer needs to act ethically towards colleagues and the public. Colleagues … … … … The public … … … … [4] (b) The programmer writes a program to be used in a business. The source code of the program can be modified by the business. The business pays the programmer for the maintenance and security updates. (i) Identify one suitable type of software licence for the program and describe the reasons for your choice. Type of software licence … Reasons for choice … … … … [3] (ii) Explain the reasons why the programmer should copyright their program. … … … … [2] * 0000800000007 * ,










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8 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 6 A company uses a relational database to store data about its customers, employees and the individual repair jobs that customers have booked. (a) Explain the benefits of using a relational database instead of a file-based approach. … … … … … … [3] (b) The company decides which employees will work on each repair job. An employee can log into the database to access information about their repair jobs. The database is normalised and includes these tables: • CUSTOMER stores personal data about each customer • EMPLOYEE stores personal data about each employee • LOGIN_DATA stores the username and password for each employee • JOB stores the data about each repair job • JOB_EMPLOYEE stores the employees that are working on each repair job. (i) Identify each relationship between the database tables and explain how each relationship can be implemented in the normalised database. … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] * 0000800000008 * ,










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9 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over (ii) The database also has the table INVOICE that stores data about each invoice that is sent to a customer. Example data from the table INVOICE is given. InvoiceID DateSent Amount Paid JobID 29262 12/12/2023 105.20 Y 221 26765 11/11/2023 200.00 Y 315 13290 02/01/2024 50.00 Y 315 34090 05/02/2024 25.95 N 569 Write a Structured Query Language (SQL) script to return the total amount of all the invoices sent in the year 2023 that have been paid. … … … … … … [3] * 0000800000009 * ,










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10 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 7 A student takes a photograph of a science experiment. (a) The photograph is saved as a bitmapped image. (i) Define the following bitmap terms. Colour depth … … File header … … [2] (ii) Explain why changing the image resolution will affect the image quality and file size. Image quality … … … File size … … … [2] (iii) Identify one lossless method of compressing an image. … [1] (b) The student draws a picture on paper that is scanned into the computer and saved as a vector graphic. Define the vector graphic terms property and drawing list. Property … … Drawing list … … [2] * 0000800000010 * ,










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11 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over BLANK PAGE * 0000800000011 * ,









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12 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 8 The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers, the Accumulator (ACC) and the Index Register (IX). Instruction Explanation Opcode Operand LDM #n Immediate addressing. Load the number n to ACC LDD <address> Direct addressing. Load the contents of the location at the given address to ACC LDI <address> Indirect addressing. The address to be used is at the given address. Load the contents of this second address to ACC LDX <address> Indexed addressing. Form the address from <address> + the contents of the index register. Copy the contents of this calculated address to ACC LDR #n Immediate addressing. Load the number n to IX ADD #n/Bn/&n Add the number n to the ACC ADD <address> Add the contents of the given address to the ACC SUB #n/Bn/&n Subtract the number n from the ACC SUB <address> Subtract the contents of the given address from the ACC INC <register> Add 1 to the contents of the register (ACC or IX) DEC <register> Subtract 1 from the contents of the register (ACC or IX) <address> can be an absolute or a symbolic address # denotes a denary number, e.g. #123 B denotes a binary number, e.g. B01001010 & denotes a hexadecimal number, e.g. &4A * 0000800000012 * ,









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13 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over (a) The current contents of memory are shown: Address Data 19 25 20 23 21 2 22 4 23 15 24 50 25 22 The current contents of the ACC and IX are shown: ACC 50 IX 20 Complete the table by writing the content of the ACC and the IX after each set of instructions has run. Instructions ACC content IX content 1 LDM #19 DEC ACC 2 LDD 23 ADD 19 3 LDI 25 INC ACC 4 LDR #21 LDX 2 [5] * 0000800000013 * ,









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14 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 (b) The instruction set also includes these bit manipulation instructions: Instruction Explanation Opcode Operand AND #n/Bn/&n Bitwise AND operation of the contents of ACC with the operand AND <address> Bitwise AND operation of the contents of ACC with the contents of <address> XOR #n/Bn/&n Bitwise XOR operation of the contents of ACC with the operand XOR <address> Bitwise XOR operation of the contents of ACC with the contents of <address> OR #n/Bn/&n Bitwise OR operation of the contents of ACC with the operand OR <address> Bitwise OR operation of the contents of ACC with the contents of <address> LSL #n Bits in ACC are shifted logically n places to the left. Zeros are introduced on the right-hand end LSR #n Bits in ACC are shifted logically n places to the right. Zeros are introduced on the left-hand end. <address> can be an absolute or a symbolic address # denotes a denary number, e.g. #123 B denotes a binary number, e.g. B01001010 & denotes a hexadecimal number, e.g. &4A The current content of the ACC is shown: ACC 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 (i) The table has three sets of instructions. The binary number 10011010 is reloaded into the ACC before each set of instructions is run. Complete the table by writing the content of the ACC after each set of instructions has run. Instructions ACC content 1 LSL #2 2 ADD #5 AND #30 3 OR B11110010 INC ACC [3] * 0000800000014 * ,









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15 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 [Turn over (ii) Explain how bit manipulation can be used to test whether the binary number stored in the ACC represents an odd denary number. Write the bit manipulation instruction that will be used. Explanation … … … … … Instruction … [3] * 0000800000015 * ,









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16 9618/12/O/N/24 © UCLES 2024 Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge. 9 A road bridge has a weight limit and a height limit for vehicles. For example, a vehicle must weigh less than 10 000 kg and must have a height of less than 3 m. The bridge has a warning system. If a vehicle is approaching the bridge and it exceeds one or both limits, a sign displays a warning telling the driver of the vehicle to stop. (a) The bridge warning system uses sensors to detect if a vehicle exceeds the limits. Complete the table by identifying two different sensors that could be used by the system and describe how each sensor is used by the system. Sensor Use in bridge warning system … … … … … … … … … … [2] (b) Explain whether the bridge warning system is an example of a monitoring system or of a control system. … … … … [2] * 0000800000016 * ,









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This document consists of 10 printed pages. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/12 Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals October/November 2024 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 75 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2024 series for most Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level components.

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 2 of 10 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awarded positively: • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate • marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do • marks are not deducted for errors • marks are not deducted for omissions • answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5: Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6: Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 3 of 10 Question Answer Marks 1(a) 1 mark for each shaded part. A B C X 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 1(b) 1 mark for (P XOR Q) and (Q OR NOT R) 1 mark for second XOR gate and final NAND gate with appropriate inputs 2 Question Answer Marks 2(a) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 3) e.g. • It is difficult to change / update the firmware by the user • Errors cannot be fixed easily // Troubleshooting / fault-finding / repairing is a specialist task / expensive • Functionality cannot be changed/extended easily // Cannot be easily adapted for another task • Faulty / outdated devices are often thrown away rather than repaired • … leading to e-waste 3

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 4 of 10 Question Answer Marks 2(b) 1 mark from: • DRAM is less expensive to manufacture/purchase than SRAM in the embedded system • DRAM has a higher bit density per chip // more data can be stored per chip 1 2(c) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 2) • EPROM uses ultraviolet light to erase data whilst EEPROM uses an electrical signal to do this • EPROM has to be removed from the circuit board when changing the data whilst EEPROM remains in the circuit when the data is changed • EPROM erases all the data, EEPROM can erase parts of the data 2 Question Answer Marks 3(a) 1 mark for each correct purpose Register Purpose Program Counter (PC) Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched/executed Memory Address Register (MAR) Stores the address of the memory location where data will be read from/written to Memory Data Register (MDR) Stores the data read from the address in the MAR // stores the data to be written to the address in the MAR Index Register (IX) Stores a number that will be added to the operand, to form the address of the data 4 3(b) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 4) e.g. • HDMI has faster transfer rates than VGA • … needed due to high resolution / large number of pixels of monitor // HDMI supports the high resolution of the monitor • HDMI supports video and audio transfer between computer and monitor speakers • … so no separate sound cable is needed unlike VGA • HDMI is digital interface therefore no data is lost in transfer to analogue and back • HDMI is less prone to error/crosstalk/external interference 4

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 5 of 10 Question Answer Marks 3(c) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 4) e.g. • It manages the scheduling of processes // Decides which process is to be run next • Allows multi-tasking/multi-processing • Ensures fair access • Handles interrupts • Manages / allocates which resources the processes require • Facilitates the sharing and exchange of data between processes • Prevents interference between processes // conflict resolution 4 Question Answer Marks 4(a) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 4) e.g. • Single stepping • Run the program one line at a time • … and check the variable contents / program flow // show the effect of each line of code • Set breakpoints • … run the code up to a set line • ... and then check the status • Variable/report watch window • … view how the data changes as the program is running 4 4(b) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 3) e.g. • Subroutines can be shared / reused • … between team members who are working independently • … without having to rewrite/re-test them which saves the programmers’ time • A program library provides continuity between programs/programmers • Individual programmers can contribute their specialisms to the library // Individual programmers can use the specialisms of others 3 4(c) 1 mark for the security method. 2 marks for explanation Security method: Encryption Explanation • File contents are converted to cipher text • If intercepted the data cannot be understood without the decryption key 3

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 6 of 10 Question Answer Marks 5(a) 1 mark for each bullet point max 2 for public max 2 for colleagues e.g. Colleagues: The programmer should: • Treat colleagues fairly and avoid acts of discrimination • Be prepared to accept / offer critique • … so that technical work can be improved • Credit the contributions of colleagues • … so that they feel valued / respected • Help / train colleagues etc. e.g. The public: The programmer should: • Maintain the health, safety and welfare of the public • … so as not to endanger anyone • Be honest / realistic in making claims about the software • … so that public trust is maintained • Maintain the security of the public's data etc. 4 5(b)(i) Type of software licence 1 mark for • Open Source Initiative // Free Software Foundation Reason for choice: 1 mark for each bullet point (max 2) • Allows program source code to be examined • … so that the business can adapt/modify the program to meet their needs • Allows the programmer to earn money for the software and updates 3 5(b)(ii) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 2) • To identify themselves as the owner/author // To gain formal recognition of ownership • To allow for legal consequences if anyone steals/copies it • To restrict competition 2

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 7 of 10 Question Answer Marks 6(a) 1 mark each to max 3 e.g. • There is reduced data redundancy // less repeated data • … because each item of data is only stored once • Data consistency is maintained // Data integrity is improved • … changes in one table will automatically update in another • ... linked data cannot be entered differently in two tables • Program-data independence is ensured • … changes to the data do not require programs to be re-written // queries are not dependent on the structure of the data • Complex queries are easier to run • Different views can be provided • …. so users can only see specific aspects of the database • Multiple concurrent access is possible • ... through record locking 3 6(b)(i) 1 mark each to max 6 • CUSTOMER to JOB is 1 to many • … implemented by Primary Key in CUSTOMER is Foreign Key in JOB • EMPLOYEE to LOGIN_DATA is 1 to 1 • … implemented by Primary Key in EMPLOYEE is Foreign Key in LOGIN_DATA • JOB to JOB_EMPLOYEE is 1 to many • … implemented by Primary Key in JOB is Foreign Key in JOB_EMPLOYEE • EMPLOYEE to JOB_EMPLOYEE is 1 to many • … implemented by Primary Key in EMPLOYEE is Foreign Key in JOB_EMPLOYEE 6 6(b)(ii) 1 mark each • Select SUM of Amount • From the correct table and one correct condition • Remaining correct condition Example: SELECT SUM(Amount) FROM INVOICE WHERE Paid = "Y" AND DateSent >= #01/01/2023# AND DateSent <= #31/12/2023# 3

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 8 of 10 Question Answer Marks 7(a)(i) 1 mark for each correct definition Colour depth: • the number of bits used to represent a colour // the number of colours that can be represented in an image File header: • stores data about the image file / metadata 2 7(a)(ii) 1 mark for each correct explanation Image quality: • Decreasing resolution means details within the image are lost because there are fewer pixels // Increasing resolution means the image is more detailed because there are more pixels File size: • Decreasing the resolution will decrease the file size because there are fewer pixels therefore less data // Increasing the resolution will increase the file size because there are more pixels therefore more data 2 7(a)(iii) 1 mark for correct method For example: • Run-Length Encoding 1 7(b) 1 mark for each correct definition Property: • an attribute of a drawing object // data about a shape // defines one aspect of the appearance of a drawing object Drawing list: • all the drawing objects/shapes in an image // stores the commands/descriptions / mathematical equations required to draw each object 2

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 9 of 10 Question Answer Marks 8(a) 1 mark for each correct content of the ACC (4) 1 mark for correct IX column Instructions ACC content IX content 1 LDM #19 DEC ACC 18 20 2 LDD 23 ADD 19 40 20 3 LDI 25 INC ACC 5 20 4 LDR #21 LDX 2 15 21 5 8(b)(i) 1 mark each correct content of ACC Instructions ACC content 1 LSL #2 0110 1000 2 ADD #5 AND #30 0001 1110 3 OR B11110010 INC ACC 1111 1011 3 8(b)(ii) 1 mark each to max 2 for explanation • An odd binary number will have a 1 in the Least Significant Bit (LSB) • A bit manipulation operation is required to access/mask only the LSB and clear all the others • Compare the result of the masking with denary 1 • … the result of the comparison will be true if the number is odd 1 mark for correct instruction • AND B00000001 // AND #1 // AND &01 3

9618/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2024 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 10 of 10 Question Answer Marks 9(a) 1 mark for sensor and its use in this system • Infra-red sensor • Measure / check the height of the vehicle • Pressure sensor • Measure / check the weight of the vehicle 2 9(b) 1 mark for each bullet point (max 2) for a correct justification No marks for the identification of the system Monitoring system • Because there is no use of feedback // the warning sign is only an indicator • ... the output of the turning on of the sign does not affect the input of data from the sensors • The system does not have any actuators 2