A Level Computer Science 9618, topic 5.1
Operating Systems: past paper questions
14 Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 questions on Operating Systems (5.1) from 14 papers, 2023 to 2026. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 14
- Papers
- 14
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 154
- Average per question
- 11 marks
- Largest question
- 17 marks
By type: Structured 13 · Essay 1
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply3
- Analyse11
- Not banded0
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- explainAnalyse11 questions
set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- describeApply9 questions
state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features
- identifyRecall6 questions
name/select/recognise
- stateRecall6 questions
express in clear terms
- giveRecall4 questions
produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory
- completeApply2 questions
add information to an incomplete diagram or table
- convertApply1 question
- defineRecall1 question
give precise meaning
- outlineApply1 question
set out the main points
- showApply1 question
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20262
- 20254
- 20243
- 20235
By session
- May/June6
- Oct/Nov8
By paper
- Paper 113
- Paper 31
Questions on this topic
Showing 14 of 14, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 7May/June 2026, paper 12Structured13 marks
A student is writing a computer program for a school project. The student uses a computer that comes with an Operating System (OS) and utility software. Identify two tasks the OS performs as part of process management.
- Try this questionQuestion 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured10 marks
The Operating System (OS) is responsible for hardware and security management in a computer system. State two tasks that are performed by hardware management.
- Try this questionQuestion 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured17 marks
A student uses a laptop to write a program that is saved as a text file.
- Try this questionQuestion 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured8 marks
A computer has an Operating System (OS). State one purpose of the Operating System.
- Try this questionQuestion 5May/June 2026, paper 13Structured10 marks
A student uses a laptop for school work. The laptop contains system software including an Operating System (OS) and utility software. Hardware management is one key management task that the OS performs.
- Try this questionQuestion 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks
A restaurant accesses software and stores data using cloud computing. Give two benefits of storing data using cloud computing.
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured12 marks
A student has a computer. 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.
- Try this questionQuestion 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured9 marks
A programmer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to develop a program that monitors air quality. Describe the following features of a typical IDE.
- Try this questionQuestion 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured10 marks
Compilers and interpreters are used to translate programs written in a high-level language into a low-level language. State two disadvantages of using a compiler compared to an interpreter during program development.
- Try this questionQuestion 6May/June 2024, paper 12Essay4 marks
A computer has an Operating System (OS). Memory management and process management are two OS tasks. Explain how memory management and process management support multi-tasking.
- Try this questionQuestion 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured5 marks
A student buys a new computer. State one benefit to the student of a user interface and give an example.
- Try this questionQuestion 6May/June 2025, paper 11Structured14 marks
A programmer is buying a new computer.
- Try this questionQuestion 3May/June 2023, paper 11Structured17 marks
A computer has an Operating System (OS). Describe how the Operating System manages the peripheral hardware devices of the computer.
- Try this questionQuestion 5May/June 2023, paper 12Structured15 marks
A student has purchased a new laptop. The laptop is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Identify two types of signal that a control bus can transfer.