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Question 2.......................................................................................................................................................................12
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................12
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................13
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................14
Question 3.......................................................................................................................................................................15
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................15
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................16
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................17
Question 4.......................................................................................................................................................................18
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................18
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................19
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................20
Question 5.......................................................................................................................................................................21
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................21
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................23
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................25
Question 6.......................................................................................................................................................................27
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................27
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................28
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................29
Question 7.......................................................................................................................................................................30
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................30
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................31
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................32
Question 8.......................................................................................................................................................................33
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................33
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................35
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................37
Question 9.......................................................................................................................................................................39
Example Candidate Response – high..........................................................................................................................39
Example Candidate Response – middle......................................................................................................................40
Example Candidate Response – low...........................................................................................................................41
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge International AS & A Level
Computer Science 9618, and to show how different levels of candidates’ performance (high, middle and low) relate to
the subject’s curriculum and assessment objectives.
In this booklet candidate responses have been chosen from the June 2021 exam series to exemplify a range of
answers.
For each question, the response is annotated with a clear explanation of where and why marks were awarded or
omitted. This is followed by examiner comments on how the answer could have been improved. In this way, it is
possible for you to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and what they could do to improve their
answers. There is also a list of common mistakes candidates made in their answers for each question.
This document provides illustrative examples of candidate work with examiner commentary. These help teachers
to assess the standard required to achieve marks beyond the guidance of the mark scheme. Therefore, in some
circumstances, such as where exact answers are required, there will not be much comment.
The questions, mark schemes and inserts used here are available to download from the School Support Hub. These
files are:
Past exam resources and other teaching and learning resources are available on the School Support Hub:
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
4
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Often candidates were not awarded Lists the common mistakes candidates made
marks because they misread or in answering each question. This will help your
misinterpreted the questions. learners to avoid these mistakes and give them
the best chance of achieving the available marks.
5
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 1
6
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
7
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
2
2 The candidate correctly
converts +7.25 to binary.
3 3 The candidate correctly
calculates the exponent.
Mark for (a) = 2 out of 3
8
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
9
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
6
6 The candidate gives an
incorrect answer.
Mark for (b) = 1 out of 3
10
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
11
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 2
12
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
13
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
14
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 3
15
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
16
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 4
18
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
4
4 The candidate correctly writes
the infix expression.
Mark for (c) = 1 out of 1
19
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
4
Total mark awarded =
3 out of 8
20
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 5
1
1 The candidate updates some
nodes correctly.
21
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
22
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
23
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
24
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
2
2 Town 1 shows an incorrect
value and the candidate’s
calculations for towns 4, 5 and 6 are
incomplete.
Mark for (a) = 2 out of 5
25
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
26
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 6
27
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
28
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
1
1 The candidate only makes
general statements.
29
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 7
30
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
31
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
32
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 8
1
1 The candidate identifies two
factors.
Mark for (a) = 2 out of 2
33
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
34
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
1
1 The candidate makes
statements that do not specifically
apply to sorting an array.
Mark for (a) = 0 out of 2
35
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
36
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
37
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
38
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
Question 9
1
1 The candidate gives examples
that are not asked for in the question
and does not describe what they
mean.
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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
2
2 The candidate gives information
about the user, not the programming
language.
Mark for (b) = 0 out of 2
3
3 The candidate identifies
acceptable paradigms apart from
the loop.
Mark for (c) = 3 out of 4
40
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 3
41
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