100+ Free Cambridge IAL Computer Science Practice Questions
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Key Facts: Cambridge IAL Computer Science Exam
4 papers
Assessment components
Cambridge 9618 syllabus 2026-2028
A*-E
Grading scale
Cambridge International
300 marks
Total A-Level marks across Papers 1-4
Cambridge 9618 syllabus
100
Free practice questions here
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Cambridge IAL Computer Science 9618 spans data representation, hardware, networks, programming, databases, OS and emerging tech across four papers. Assessment is end-of-course on the A*-E grade scale with Cambridge pseudocode and a chosen programming language.
Sample Cambridge IAL Computer Science Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Cambridge IAL Computer Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Convert the denary number 173 to 8-bit binary.
2What is the hexadecimal representation of the 8-bit binary 11010110?
3Using 8-bit two's complement, what is the binary representation of -42?
4In a normalised two's complement floating-point representation, what is the leading bit pattern of a positive normalised mantissa?
5An image is 800 pixels wide, 600 pixels tall, and uses 24-bit colour. Approximately what is its uncompressed file size?
6Which compression technique is lossless and works best on data with long runs of repeated symbols?
7Which character set uses a variable-length encoding of 1 to 4 bytes per code point and is the dominant web encoding?
8What does a digital signature primarily verify about a message?
9In a sound recording, doubling the sampling rate while keeping bit depth constant has what effect on file size?
10Which statement about symmetric and asymmetric encryption is correct?
About the Cambridge IAL Computer Science Exam
Cambridge International A-Level Computer Science (syllabus 9618) is a two-year linear qualification assessed across four papers covering AS and A2 content. Paper 1 covers theory fundamentals, Paper 2 covers problem-solving and programming, Paper 3 covers advanced theory, and Paper 4 is a practical programming paper. Cambridge pseudocode is used throughout; candidates choose Python, Visual Basic Console or Java for practical work.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 7h 30min total across four papers
Passing Score
Grade E minimum; A*-E pass scale
Exam Fee
£80-£160 per paper (private candidates; centres set final fees) (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))
Cambridge IAL Computer Science Exam Content Outline
Information representation
Denary/binary/hex, two's complement, BCD, IEEE 754 floating point, ASCII/Unicode, images, sound, compression, encryption
Communication and Internet technologies
LAN/WAN, topologies, wired vs wireless, TCP/IP protocol suite, OSI model, IPv4/IPv6, DNS, cloud computing
Hardware and logic
Logic gates, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, SR/D flip-flops, CPU architecture, FDE cycle, cache, storage media
Programming and software development
Data types, arrays, records, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, searching, sorting, recursion, file handling, Cambridge pseudocode, Python
Software development lifecycle and testing
Waterfall vs agile vs RAD, requirements, design, white/black box testing, alpha/beta, trace tables, debugging, documentation
Databases and SQL
Relational concepts, keys, ERDs, normalisation 1NF/2NF/3NF, DDL, DML, JOINs, aggregates, subqueries, ACID transactions
Operating systems, security and ethics
OS types and functions, scheduling, paging vs segmentation, malware, firewalls, authentication, GDPR, AI ethics, licensing
Advanced theory and emerging technologies
Assembly addressing modes, compilers vs interpreters, OOP, UML, Prolog, functional programming, AI/ML, blockchain, IoT
How to Pass the Cambridge IAL Computer Science Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Grade E minimum; A*-E pass scale
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 7h 30min total across four papers
- Exam fee: £80-£160 per paper (private candidates; centres set final fees)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Cambridge IAL Computer Science Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers does Cambridge IAL Computer Science 9618 have?
There are 4 papers: Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals (75 marks, 1h 30min, AS), Paper 2 Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills (75 marks, 2h, AS), Paper 3 Advanced Theory (75 marks, 1h 30min, A-Level) and Paper 4 Practical (75 marks, 2h 30min, A-Level).
Which programming language can I use for Paper 4?
Cambridge accepts Python, Visual Basic Console mode or Java for the practical Paper 4. Schools choose one language per cohort. Cambridge pseudocode is used in all theory papers regardless of the chosen language.
What syllabus version applies for 2026 candidates?
The Cambridge 9618 Computer Science syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 applies. Always download the current syllabus PDF from cambridgeinternational.org to confirm content boundaries and the pseudocode style guide.
How is Cambridge IAL Computer Science graded?
Grades A* to E are awarded on the full A-Level. AS-only candidates receive grades a to e from Papers 1 and 2. The final grade is calculated from total marks across all four components for the full A-Level.