Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1

[Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level DC (WW/FC) 346715/3 © UCLES 2025 This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. * 2 0 9 9 2 4 7 3 6 6 * COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/11 Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals October/November 2025 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. ,










, * 0000800000001 * ¬OŠ. 4mHuOªEŠ_y5€W ¬Œ7sO¡¤Šc‡Ž=CIy‰‚ ¥¥ U5u 5UE•E 5¥•UU DFD

2 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 1 (a) (i) Convert the binary number into hexadecimal. 101100111010 … [1] (ii) Convert the denary number into Binary Coded Decimal (BCD). 108 … [1] (iii) Convert the 12-bit two’s complement binary integer into denary. Show your working. 111110111100 Working … … … … Denary value … [2] * 0000800000002 * ,










, ĬÍĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞû·þ× ĬȵôÎĥĨĠÜúùñõ¹ùÁāĂ ĥµĕÕõĕÅÕĥąÅąąõąÕõÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

3 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over (b) (i) The following binary addition is performed using 8-bit registers. Complete the calculation using binary addition. 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 + 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 [1] (ii) Name and describe the error that can occur when binary addition is performed. … … … … [2] * 0000800000003 * ,










, ĬÏĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞù·þ× ĬȶóÖģĬĐÝĀĈ¸áÁÝÁñĂ ĥµĥĕµõåµõõĕąąĕĥĕĥÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

4 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 2 A relational database, WORKEXPERIENCE, stores data about students and the companies where they complete work experience. Students can complete multiple work experience placements but can only complete one placement at a time. Students can complete more than one placement at the same company. Part of the database is shown: STUDENT(StudentID, FirstName, TelephoneNumber, UniversityName) PLACEMENT( PlacementID, StudentID, CompanyID, StartDate, EndDate, Complete) COMPANY(CompanyID, CompanyName, MaxStudentsPerPlacement) (a) Complete the entity-relationship (E-R) diagram for the database WORKEXPERIENCE. STUDENT PLACEMENT COMPANY [2] (b) Explain why the database WORKEXPERIENCE is in Third Normal Form (3NF). … … … … [2] * 0000800000004 * ,










, ĬÍĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàû·Ā× ĬȶòÖĩĚęÚĂÿ¯ăĝÿÑĉĂ ĥąµĕõõåĕĕÕĥąÅĕÅĕõÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

5 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over (c) Some example data from the PLACEMENT table is shown: PlacementID StudentID CompanyID StartDate EndDate Complete PC001 LDEA01 MSCM 01/01/2023 12/07/2023 TRUE PC002 LDEA01 MSCM 01/04/2024 08/05/2024 FALSE PC003 ALAU02 NEAM 09/03/2020 10/03/2021 FALSE PC004 LOLI75 GOUZ 07/06/2018 11/09/2018 TRUE (i) Write a Structured Query Language (SQL) script to delete all placements that have been completed. … … … … [2] (ii) Write an SQL script to return the total number of placements completed by the student with ID LDEA01 at the company with ID NEAM. The total should be given an appropriate name. … … … … … … [4] * 0000800000005 * ,










, ĬÏĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàù·Ā× ĬȵñÎğĖĩßøòú×ĕÛÑùĂ ĥąÅÕµĕÅõąåµąÅõåÕĥÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

6 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 (d) The database tables are repeated here: STUDENT(StudentID, FirstName, TelephoneNumber, UniversityName) PLACEMENT( PlacementID, StudentID, CompanyID, StartDate, EndDate, Complete) COMPANY(CompanyID, CompanyName, MaxStudentsPerPlacement) Explain what is meant by referential integrity, and how it applies to this database. … … … … … … [3] * 0000800000006 * ,










, ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÝù¶þ× ĬȶñÑĥîģçóăă·ĝºùĉĂ ĥÕĥÕµµÅÕÅÅĕąąõąĕµÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

7 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over 3 (a) Draw a logic circuit for the logic expression: X = NOT ((A NAND B) XOR (NOT A OR NOT C)) X C B A [2] (b) Write the logic expression for the following truth table. R S T Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 Q = … [2] * 0000800000007 * ,










, ĬÓĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÝû¶þ× ĬȵòÙģòēÒąîÆģĕĞùùĂ ĥÕĕĕõÕåµÕµÅąąĕĥÕåÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

8 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 4 The table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has one register, the Accumulator (ACC). Instruction Explanation Opcode Operand AND #n / Bn / &n Bitwise AND operation of the contents of the ACC with the operand AND <address> Bitwise AND operation of the contents of the ACC with the contents of <address> XOR #n / Bn / &n Bitwise XOR operation of the contents of the ACC with the operand XOR <address> Bitwise XOR operation of the contents of the ACC with the contents of <address> OR #n / Bn / &n Bitwise OR operation of the contents of the ACC with the operand OR <address> Bitwise OR operation of the contents of the 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 symbolic address # denotes a denary number, e.g. #127 B denotes a binary number, e.g. B10010001 & denotes a hexadecimal number, e.g. &4A (a) The ACC currently contains the following positive binary integer: 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 Write a bit manipulation instruction that uses a binary shift to change the contents of the ACC to: 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 Instruction … [1] * 0000800000008 * ,










, ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßù¶Ā× ĬȵóÙĩĄĖåċõ½Á¹ÀĩāĂ ĥĥÅĕµÕåĕµĕµąÅĕÅÕµÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

9 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over (b) The ACC currently contains the following positive binary integer: 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Write the contents of the ACC after the instruction XOR &12 is carried out. [1] (c) The ACC currently contains the following positive binary integer: 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Write the contents of the ACC after the instruction AND #63 is carried out. [1] (d) The ACC currently contains the following positive binary integer: 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 The current contents of memory are: Address Data 98 00100100 99 00110001 100 00110011 101 10100011 102 10101100 Write the contents of the ACC after the instruction OR 100 is carried out. [1] * 0000800000009 * ,










, ĬÓĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßû¶Ā× ĬȶôÑğĀĦÔíČČĕÁĜĩñĂ ĥĥµÕõµÅõåĥĥąÅõåĕåÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

10 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 5 The Operating System (OS) is responsible for hardware and security management in a computer system. (a) (i) State two tasks that are performed by hardware management. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (ii) State two tasks that are performed by security management. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (b) (i) Describe one benefit of using library routines when developing software. … … … … [2] (ii) Describe one drawback of using library routines when developing software. … … … … [2] (c) Identify two presentation features found in a typical Integrated Development Environment (IDE). 1 … 2 … [2] * 0000800000010 * ,










, ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞù¸þ× ĬȸóÔīČĄëĄîħÝ»ìÑùĂ ĥµåÕµÕąĕĕåµÅŵÅÕąÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

11 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over 6 (a) The processor uses several registers, including the Accumulator (ACC) and the Current Instruction Register (CIR). Complete the table by describing the role of each register. Register Role ACC … … CIR … … [2] (b) Increasing the number of cores in a processor can affect the performance of a computer. Describe the drawbacks of increasing the number of cores in a processor. … … … … [2] (c) State three differences between Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM). 1 … … 2 … … 3 … … [3] * 0000800000011 * ,









, ĬÓĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞû¸þ× ĬČ·ôÜĝĈôÎöăâùÃðÑĉĂ ĥµÕĕõµĥõąÕĥÅÅÕåĕĕÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

12 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 7 Web browsers use Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. (a) Complete the table by describing the following types of IP address. Type of IP address Description Static … … Public … … [2] (b) Consider the following IP address: 256.0.0.A Circle whether this IP address is IPv4, IPv6 or an invalid IP address. IPv4 IPv6 Invalid Justify your choice. … … … … [2] (c) A user types a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) into the address bar of a web browser to access a web page. Explain how the web browser uses the URL to access the web page. … … … … … … … … [4] * 0000800000012 * ,









, ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàù¸Ā× ĬČ·ñÜħöõéüČéÛğÎÁñĂ ĥąąĕµµĥÕĥõĕÅąÕąĕąÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

13 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 [Turn over (d) A bitmap file is downloaded. The image has a maximum of 256 colours and measures 512 pixels wide by 2048 pixels high. (i) Calculate an estimate of the file size of the bitmap in kibibytes. Show your working. Working … … … … File size of bitmap … kibibytes [2] (ii) Explain why the actual file size may be larger than the one calculated in (d)(i). … … … … [2] (iii) Explain how a bitmap image is compressed using run-length encoding (RLE). … … … … [2] * 0000800000013 * ,









, ĬÓĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàû¸Ā× ĬȸòÔġúąÐþõĠÿėĊÁāĂ ĥąõÕõÕąµõąÅÅąµĥÕĕÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

14 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 8 One ethical consideration for a student connecting their personal computer to the school network is the risk of spreading malware on the network. (a) Viruses and pharming are examples of malware. Explain what is meant by a virus and pharming. Virus … … … Pharming … … … [2] (b) Give three other ethical considerations for a student using their personal computer to connect to the school network. 1 … … 2 … … 3 … … [3] (c) Describe two social impacts of students using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete their homework. 1 … … … … 2 … … … … [4] * 0000800000014 * ,









, ĬÍĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßüµĂ× ĬČ·ôÑğąíÞČòÃã¾þñĉĂ ĥåõĕµµÅĕĕĕÅąÅõÅĕÅÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

15 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 9 Describe the differences between a monitoring system and a control system. … … … … … … [3] 10 An architect needs a model of a building. (a) Explain how the model will be printed using a 3D printer. … … … … … … [3] (b) State why a 3D printer needs a buffer. … … [1] * 0000800000015 * ,









, ĬÏĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßúµĂ× ĬȸóÙĩĉýÛîÿĆ÷¶ÚñùĂ ĥåąÕõÕåõąĥĕąÅĕåÕÕÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

16 9618/11/O/N/25 © UCLES 2025 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. BLANK PAGE * 0000800000016 * ,









, ĬÍĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÝüµĄ× ĬȸòÙģûČàôĈýÕĚüġāĂ ĥĕÕÕµÕåÕĥÅĥąąĕąÕÅÕ DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN DFD

This document consists of 15 printed pages. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/11 Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals October/November 2025 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 2025 series for most Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level components.

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 2 of 15 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.

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 3 of 15 Annotations guidance for centres Examiners use a system of annotations as a shorthand for communicating their marking decisions to one another. Examiners are trained during the standardisation process on how and when to use annotations. The purpose of annotations is to inform the standardisation and monitoring processes and guide the supervising examiners when they are checking the work of examiners within their team. The meaning of annotations and how they are used is specific to each component and is understood by all examiners who mark the component. We publish annotations in our mark schemes to help centres understand the annotations they may see on copies of scripts. Note that there may not be a direct correlation between the number of annotations on a script and the mark awarded. Similarly, the use of an annotation may not be an indication of the quality of the response. The annotations listed below were available to examiners marking this component in this series. Annotations Annotation Meaning Correct Incorrect To indicate where a key word/phrase/code is missing. Not relevant or used to separate parts of an answer. Indicates a part of the answer that is incorrect. Highlighter To draw attention to a particular aspect or to indicate where parts of an answer have been combined. Too vague. Repetition No examples or not enough. Benefit of Doubt. Not Answered Question. Indicates that work or a page has been seen including blank answer spaces and blank pages. Follow through. Ignore

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 4 of 15 Question Answer Marks 1(a)(i) B3A 1 1(a)(ii) 0001 0000 1000 1 1(a)(iii) 1 mark for the working 1 mark for the correct denary value Working: Method 1: 1111 1011 1100 Flip the bits 0000 0100 0011 Add 1 0000 0000 0001 + 0000 0100 0100 Method 2: -2048 + 1024 + 512 + 256 + 128 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 // -128 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 Denary value: -68 2 1(b)(i) (1) 00101011 1 1(b)(ii) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • An overflow error occurs • The answer cannot be represented in the number of bits available // The answer is larger than the maximum positive number that can be stored in the register // The answer is smaller than the most negative number that can be stored in the register 2

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 5 of 15 Question Answer Marks 2(a) 1 mark for each correct relationship, max 2 marks 2 2(b) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • There are no repeating groups of attributes • There are no many-to-many relationships • There are no partial key dependencies // no non-key dependencies // no transitive dependencies 2 2(c)(i) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • DELETE FROM and correct table • Correct condition Example answer: DELETE FROM PLACEMENT WHERE Complete = TRUE; 2 2(c)(ii) 1 mark per bullet point, max 4 marks • SELECT COUNT any appropriate field • AS and an appropriate name • FROM and correct table and WHERE and one correct condition • Two AND clauses with the other two correct conditions Example answer: SELECT COUNT (CompanyID) AS TotalPlacements FROM PLACEMENT WHERE CompanyID = "NEAM" AND StudentID = "LDEA01" AND Complete = TRUE; 4

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 6 of 15 Question Answer Marks 2(d) 1 mark per bullet point, max 3 marks Generic mark points (max 2) • Referential integrity ensures that related data is consistent • Referential integrity ensures that every foreign key has a corresponding primary key • Referential integrity provides for cascading update / delete • Referential integrity ensures that if a primary key is deleted or modified all linked records in foreign table will be deleted or modified // Referential integrity stops "orphaned records"—records in a table that point to an entry in another table that no longer exists Specific mark points (max 2) for good examples e.g. • CompanyID is a foreign key in PLACEMENT table and is dependent on the primary key CompanyID in COMPANY table • If a record is deleted from the STUDENT table, then all records with the same StudentID will be deleted from the PLACEMENT table • If a CompanyID is modified in the company table, all records with that CompanyID in the placement table will also be modified 3

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 7 of 15 Question Answer Marks 3(a) One mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • (A NAND B) and (NOT A OR NOT C) • XOR and NOT 2 3(b) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • One correct term: (R AND S AND NOT T) // (NOT R AND NOT S AND T) • Second correct term plus the OR in correct place Answer: Q = (R AND S AND NOT T) OR (NOT R AND NOT S AND T) 2 4(a) 1 mark for: LSL #2 1 4(b) 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 4(c) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 4(d) 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 8 of 15 Question Answer Marks 5(a)(i) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • Installs driver software for devices connected to external ports • Manages communication between devices • Manages hardware interrupts 2 5(a)(ii) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • Prevents unauthorised access • ... by providing authentication // by validating users and processes • Implements access rights and permissions • Makes provision for recovery of lost data • Carries out Operating System security updates as available • Carries out auditing and keeps logs of activity 2 5(b)(i) One mark for benefit, one mark for appropriate matching expansion e.g. • Less code needs to be developed as code is pre-written • … thereby reducing the time to write a program • The library routine will be pre-tested and documented • ... reducing the time taken to test a program // giving confidence that the routine works as it should • The code for the library routine can written in a different programming language • … which allows the use of special features of that language • The user’s source code is more readable • ... as the library routine is simply called in the source code rather than being written out in full • The library could contain the code for complex routines • ... thus allowing the programmer to include modules they might not be able to code 2 5(b)(ii) 1 mark for drawback, 1 mark for appropriate matching expansion e.g. • Compatibility issues • … the library routine may not work with current program • Not guaranteed to be thoroughly tested • ... there could be unexpected problems (bugs/virus) • The library routine may not match needs exactly // The library routine may give unexpected results • … so it will need to be edited and tested • If the library routine is later edited or changed (by someone else) • … there could be unexpected errors or results 2

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 9 of 15 Question Answer Marks 5(c) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • Prettyprint • Expanding and collapsing code blocks • Automatic / smart indentation / formatting 2

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 10 of 15 Question Answer Marks 6(a) 1 mark for each correct description, max 2 marks Register Role ACC stores the intermediate results of arithmetic and logical operations // holds the result of a calculation CIR holds the instruction currently being decoded and/or executed 2 6(b) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks e.g. • Latency may be increased • … because the cores must communicate with one another • There is a potential for dead-lock situations • … where one core may wait for information from other cores which in turn are waiting for the first one • Not all software is designed to use multi-cores • ... so some of the additional cores would be idle • Increased heat generation • ... which could cause damage to other components 2 6(c) 1 mark per bullet point, max 3 marks • DRAM requires to be refreshed/charged SRAM does not request a refresh • DRAM stores each bit as charge SRAM uses flip-flop to store each bit • DRAM is less expensive to manufacture SRAM is more expensive to manufacture • DRAM has slower access speeds SRAM has faster access times • DRAM has higher storage/bit/data density SRAM has lower storage/bit/data density • DRAM is used in main memory SRAM is used in cache 3

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 11 of 15 Question Answer Marks 7(a) 1 mark for each correct description, max 2 marks Type of IP address Description Static IP address that does not change each time a device connects to the network Public IP address assigned to a device on a network to allow the device to be visible on the internet 2 7(b) 1 mark per bullet point for justification, max 2 marks Choice: Invalid (no mark for the choice) Justification: • It is not IPv4 because the maximum denary value should be 255, this uses 256 • It is not IPv6 because it uses a full stop to separate sections and not colon // It is not IPv6 because there are not enough groups 2 7(c) 1 mark per bullet point, max 4 marks • The browser checks its cache for the URL • The browser parses the URL and splits it into its component parts • The browser finds the IP address for the domain name by querying a DNS server • The browser receives the matching IP address from the DNS server • The browser creates connection with the web server with the matching IP address • A request for the resource is sent to the web server with that IP address • The browser renders and displays the result • The IP address is stored in the browser cache for future use 4 7(d)(i) 1 mark for the working 1 mark for the correct answer Working: (512 * 2048 * 8) / (8 * 1024 ) // (512 * 2048) / 1024 // (29 * 211 * 23) / (23 * 210) // (29 * 211) / 210 Answer: 1024 kibibytes // 210 kibibytes 2 7(d)(ii) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • The file will contain metadata • The file will have a header 2

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 12 of 15 Question Answer Marks 7(d)(iii) 1 mark per bullet point, max 2 marks • Sequences of consecutive identical colours / pixels • ... are stored as the colour value and the number of times it occurs consecutively 2

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 13 of 15 Question Answer Marks 8(a) 1 mark for each correct explanation, max 2 marks Virus: Malicious program/software that replicates/copies itself and deletes/alters files/data stored on a computer Pharming: Malicious code/software installed on a computer which redirects user to a fake website to obtain personal data 2 8(b) 1 mark per bullet point, max 3 marks e. g. • Students should consider privacy issues • Students should not make inappropriate use of social networking // Students should not engage in cyberbullying • Students should not copy work that is not their own • Students should abide by the school rules/guidelines for accessing the network • Students should only use the school network for legitimate purposes • Students should not hack / crack other computers 3 8(c) 1 mark per bullet point, max 4 marks e. g. Negative Impacts • If students use AI to shortcut learning, they may miss out on developing reasoning and problem-solving skills // Students may not be learning anything // It could lead to a decline in specific skills • It could have negative impacts on student communication // heavy reliance on AI may limit opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face communication • Emphasises the digital divide// some students may not have access to the technology • The AI answer might not be correct leading to mis-information • Increased screen time and isolation could contribute to anxiety or loneliness Positive Impacts • Students given additional support may do better • Pupils who struggle in traditional settings may gain self -esteem through AI-assisted learning at their own pace Long-Term Impacts • Protection of intellectual property // ethical issues and considerations • Schools may need to redesign curricula and/or assessment to integrate AI 4

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 14 of 15 Question Answer Marks 9 1 mark per bullet point, max 3 marks • Monitoring systems do not take any action whereas control systems act autonomously to change the environment if the values are out of a prescribed range • Control systems use actuators monitoring systems do not have any actuators • Control systems make use of feedback monitoring systems do not make use of feedback • The output from a monitoring system does not affect the subsequent input whereas output from a control system affects the next input. 3

9618/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2025 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 15 of 15 Question Answer Marks 10(a) 1 mark per bullet point, max 3 marks Generic mark points: (max 3) • Additive manufacturing • Uses a digital file created from 3D modelling software or Computer Aided Design (CAD) software • The printer builds up the model one layer at a time • The process is repeated for each layer • Some materials may need time to cool and set or UV curing using LEDs for photopolymer resins Specific mark points: (max 1) e.g. • Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) // Material is heated and pushed through nozzle / extruder • Stereolithography (SLA) // Photosensitive liquid resin is exposed to a UV- laser beam • Digital Light Processing (DLP) // Photosensitive liquid resin is exposed to a UV projected image of the layer to cure the resin • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) // Uses a laser to form objects from powdered material, the material can be plastics or metals 3 10(b) 1 mark • To free up the processor to carry out other tasks as the rate data is received by the printer is different from the rate at which it can be processed • To manage the mismatch in speed between the processor and the peripheral / 3D printer 1