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A Level Computer Science 9618 Paper 11, May/June 2026

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9618/11 · May/June 2026

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1

A computer can store numbers and text in binary.

a(i)

The computer uses the UNICODE character set. Complete the table by calculating the missing values.

[4]
a(ii)

Identify one other character set and explain how it is different from UNICODE. character set ..................................................................................................................... differences ......................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................................

[3]
b

The computer also uses two’s complement. Convert the 8-bit two’s complement binary integer 01101011 into denary.

[1]
c

Show how the denary number 30 is subtracted from the binary number 01101011 using binary subtraction. Show your working.

[2]
d

Identify two differences between binary prefixes and decimal prefixes. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................

[2]
2

A computer programmer uses language translators. Two types of translator are an interpreter and a compiler.

a

Explain why language translators are needed when programming.

[2]
b

Describe two benefits of using an interpreter instead of a compiler when developing a program. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................

[4]
c

Identify one other type of translator.

[1]
d

The completed computer program is distributed under a licence. Complete the table by writing the name of each software licence that is described.

[3]
3

The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX). instruction | explanation 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 INC <register> | Add 1 to the contents of the register (ACC or IX) STO <address> | Store the contents of ACC at the given address ADD #n / Bn / &n | Add the number n to the ACC ADD <address> | Add the contents of the given address to the ACC DEC <register> | Subtract 1 from the contents of the register (ACC or IX) END | Return control to the operating system <address> can be an absolute or 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 contents of memory are: address | data 100 | 200 101 | 205 102 | 100 103 | 50 … | … 200 | 101 201 | 100 202 | 20 203 | 13 204 | 220 205 | 30

a

Complete the table to identify the data that will be stored in the accumulator after each set of instructions has been executed.

[3]
b(i)

The instruction set also contains the following instructions: instruction | explanation 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 CSL #n | Bits in ACC are shifted n places to the left using a cyclic shift CSR #n | Bits in ACC are shifted n places to the right using a cyclic shift ASL #n | Bits in ACC are shifted n places to the left using an arithmetic shift ASR #n | Bits in ACC are shifted n places to the right using an arithmetic shift <address> can be an absolute or symbolic address # denotes a denary number, e.g. #123 B denotes a binary number, e.g. B01001010 & denotes a hexadecimal number, e.g. &4A Write the bit manipulation instruction that will set the ACC to &0

[2]
b(ii)

The ACC currently contains the following binary value. 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 Write the result after the instruction LSR #3 is run.

[1]
c

Immediate, relative and direct are three modes of addressing used in assembly language programming. Identify and describe one additional mode of addressing used in assembly language programming. Include an example of an instruction that uses your selected mode of addressing in your answer. mode of addressing .................................................................................................................. description with example .......................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................

[3]
4

A shop allows customers to pay to borrow toys. The shop uses a database to record information about the customers and the toys they have borrowed. CUSTOMER(CustomerID, ContactFirstName, Phone) TOY(ToyID, ToyName, CostPerDay) TOY_INSTANCE(UniqueToyID, ToyID, Quality) BORROW(BorrowID, CustomerID, UniqueToyID, StartDate, NumberDays)

a

Complete the table by describing the relationship between each pair of tables. Include the primary key(s) and foreign key(s) and how these create each relationship.

[4]
b

Write a Structured Query Language (SQL) script to return the total number of days of all toys borrowed by each customer. The customer ID and first name for each customer also need to be returned. The result needs to include a suitable field name for the total number of days.

[4]
c(i)

The table BORROW needs amending to include an additional field. The field will store whether the toy has been returned and will store either Yes or No. Write an SQL script to include the additional field in the table BORROW.

[2]
c(ii)

The toy that was borrowed with the borrow ID A2226 has been returned. Write an SQL script to amend the record and store that the toy has been returned.

[3]
d(i)

When data is entered into the database it is validated and verified. Explain how validation and verification support data integrity within a database.

[4]
d(ii)

Give one reason why data may still be incorrect even after it passes validation and verification.

[1]
5

A school needs to create a new logo. The logo can be created as a bitmap image or a vector graphic.

a

Explain how a bitmap image is encoded in a computer.

[3]
b

Complete the description of a vector graphic by writing the missing terms. A .................................................. is an individual element of an image, for example: a line, a square. A .................................................. is an attribute of one part of the image, for example: a line colour, the width of a line. A .................................................. is all of the elements that are included in the vector graphic.

[3]
c

Tick (✓) one box to identify whether a bitmap image or a vector graphic will be most appropriate for the school logo. Justify your choice.

[3]
6
Figure 1 of 1 for question 6
a

Write the logic expressions for the following logic circuit. Y = ............................................................................................................................................ Z = ............................................................................................................................................

[2]
b

Create and complete the truth table for a two-input NAND gate.

[2]
7

A networked computer game competition takes place in a school. The game is hosted on a server on the school LAN (local area network). Each competitor logs on using their own computer.

a

The game runs as a thin-client. Give two characteristics of a thin-client system. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................

[2]
b(i)

One part of the school’s LAN is a wired bus topology. Explain how data is transmitted between two nodes in a bus topology using Ethernet.

[5]
b(ii)

Give two drawbacks of using a bus topology. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[2]
c(i)

Each of the school’s computers has a static private IP address. State what is meant by a static private IP address.

[1]
c(ii)

The school’s network uses subnetting. Give three benefits of using subnetting in a network. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 3 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[3]

Mark scheme

9618/11 · May/June 2026

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1a(i) · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    489

  • 1 mark

    0100 0000

  • 1 mark

    38F

  • 1 mark

    5590

1a(ii) · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    ASCII

  • 1 mark

    There are fewer bits per character // ASCII has 7/8 bits per character, UNICODE has many more

  • 1 mark

    Fewer different characters can be represented // ASCII only represents the Latin alphabet

  • 0 marks

    ASCII Cannot be expanded indefinitely

1b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    107

1c · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    showing/working binary subtraction

  • 1 mark

    0100 1101

1d · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Binary is in powers of 2 whilst decimal is in powers of 10

  • 1 mark

    Any example of values e.g. Kibibyte is 1024 bytes whilst Kilobyte is 1000 bytes

2a · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    To convert a high-level language to a low-level language/assembly/machine code

  • 1 mark

    Computers use machine code and programmers use high-level languages

  • 0 marks

    To allow the computer to process the coded statements

2b · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    Amend the code or debug in real time

  • 1 mark

    and see the changes immediately instead of having to recompile

  • 1 mark

    Stops as soon as an error is encountered

  • 1 mark

    so the position of the error can be easily seen

  • 0 marks

    Only one error is displayed at a time // no dependent errors generated

  • 0 marks

    individual errors are easier to identify/debug/fix

  • 0 marks

    Incomplete code can be tested/run

  • 0 marks

    so the program does not need to be complete to see if it works/see the output

2c · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Assembler

2d · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Shareware

  • 1 mark

    Commercial // proprietary

  • 1 mark

    Open source initiative // free software

3a · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    B11001101

  • 1 mark

    #301

  • 1 mark

    #48

3b(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    AND

  • 1 mark

    #0 // &0 // B00000000

3b(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    0000 0110

3c · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Indirect / Indexed

  • 1 mark

    the operand stores the address where the data is found // the data is held in the address stored in the given address / the address is calculated by adding the operand to the contents of the index register

  • 1 mark

    example: LDI 23 loads the data in the address stored in address 23 / example: LDX 20 adds 20 to the contents of the index register to calculate the address

4a · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    CUSTOMER BORROW is a one-to-many relationship // 1:M

  • 1 mark

    TOY_INSTANCE to TOY is a many-to-one relationship // M:1

  • 1 mark

    Identifying the correct Primary Key and matching Foreign Key in both relationships

  • 1 mark

    Stating how the keys form the relationship

4b · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    Selecting the contact name, customer ID and totalling the number of days - needs all 3

  • 1 mark

    Using an appropriate name

  • 1 mark

    Linking or joining the correct tables

  • 1 mark

    Grouping the results

4c(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Altering the correct table

  • 1 mark

    Adding an appropriately named field with an appropriate data type

4c(ii) · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Updating the correct table

  • 1 mark

    Setting the additional field to the correct data (data type must match 4(c)(i))

  • 1 mark

    Where clause

4d(i) · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    Validation only ensures that data meets certain criteria

  • 1 mark

    Validation prevents the input of inappropriate data

  • 1 mark

    Verification makes sure that the data that is entered matches the original data / the data that was intended to be entered

  • 1 mark

    Verification prevents data being accidentally changed from the original

  • 0 marks

    Any example of validation/verification in practice e.g. entering a password twice

4d(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    The original data was incorrect // the same wrong data was entered twice, and the wrong data was also valid // by example

5a · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    The image is made of pixels

  • 1 mark

    Each pixel has one colour

  • 1 mark

    Each colour has a unique binary code

  • 0 marks

    The code for the colour of each pixel is stored in sequence / order

5b · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    drawing object

  • 1 mark

    property

  • 1 mark

    drawing list

5c · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    The logo might include something like a photograph / A logo should be made of simple shapes which are calculated mathematically

  • 1 mark

    Bitmaps can be more detailed/precise/high quality / A vector graphic logo can be resized without pixelation

  • 1 mark

    which may be more attractive/appealing on documents / so, it could be used on different documents without losing quality / Bitmaps can be edited more precisely / in case changes need to be made to the logo in future / The file size is smaller than a bitmap image / so, the logo will not use excessive file storage if used in many documents

6a · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Y = NOT (B OR NOT C)

  • 1 mark

    Z = E NOR (NOT C XOR D)

6b · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    drawing a truth table with correct inputs

  • 1 mark

    correct outputs in the NAND column

7a · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Data is not stored on the client computer // all data is stored on the server

  • 1 mark

    The client computer is reliant on access to server

  • 0 marks

    The client computer is heavily reliant on the network connection

  • 0 marks

    The client computer requires few local resources, for example, memory / processing power / storage

  • 0 marks

    The client computer performs minimal functions / processes

7b(i) · 5 marks

  • 1 mark

    Both nodes are connected to a bus/cable

  • 1 mark

    Data is broadcast on the cable

  • 1 mark

    but is only accepted by the intended recipient

  • 1 mark

    Uses the IP/MAC addresses of the two nodes

  • 1 mark

    Ethernet transmits data as frames

  • 0 marks

    Ethernet uses Carrier Sense Multi-Access / Collision Detection / CSMA/CD

  • 0 marks

    The transmitting node listens to see if the line is free and only submits data when the line is free

  • 0 marks

    The node waits a random time if a collision is detected and then tries to send again

7b(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Bus networks are inefficient with a large number of nodes

  • 1 mark

    because only one transmission can be on the line at once

  • 0 marks

    Bus networks are inefficient with large numbers of simultaneous data transmissions

  • 0 marks

    because of the need for nodes to wait for the line to be free

  • 0 marks

    Bus networks are not easily scalable

  • 0 marks

    If the bus/cable goes down the whole/part of the network is unusable

  • 0 marks

    Transmissions are broadcast to all nodes, so could be privacy/confidentiality/security issues

7c(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    It does not change and it is only visible/accessible within the network/LAN

7c(ii) · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Subnetting splits a larger network into smaller/more manageable parts

  • 1 mark

    The network has increased efficiency – just faster is NE

  • 1 mark

    Congestion is reduced // fewer collisions happen

  • 0 marks

    Security is improved

  • 0 marks

    It can be more straightforward to isolate faults

  • 0 marks

    Easier to scale a network with subnets

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