Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science 9618
Examinations 2026. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Computer Science 9618
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Computer Science 9618
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2026 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: topics 1–12. Full A Level: all AS content plus topics 13–20. Programming and problem-solving skills develop across the course.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2026. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS Level · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1 Information representation
Represent data, images and sound, and explore compression.
2 Communication
Explain networks and communication across the internet.
4 · AS Level · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3 Hardware
Explore computer components and logic gates and circuits.
5 · AS Level · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4 Processor Fundamentals
Study CPU architecture, assembly language and bit manipulation.
5 System Software
Explain operating systems and language translators.
6 · AS Level · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
6 Security, privacy and data integrity
Distinguish protecting data from ensuring its accuracy and consistency.
7 · AS Level · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
7 Ethics and Ownership
Evaluate ethical issues, intellectual property and ownership.
8 Databases
Model structured data and use database management and query concepts.
8 · AS Level · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
9 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving
Develop computational thinking and express algorithms clearly.
9 · AS Level · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
10 Data Types and Structures
Select data types, arrays, files and introductory abstract data types.
11 Programming
Use programming constructs and structured design to solve problems.
10 · AS Level · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
12 Software Development
Plan, design, test and maintain programs.
11 · A Level additional · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
13 Data Representation
Extend representation to user-defined types, file organisation and floating-point numbers.
14 Communication and internet technologies
Explore protocols and methods of switching data.
12 · A Level additional · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
15 Hardware and Virtual Machines
Study parallel processing, virtual machines and Boolean algebra.
13 · A Level additional · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
16 System Software
Extend understanding of operating systems and translation software.
17 Security
Explore encryption, protocols and digital certificates.
14 · A Level additional · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
18 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Consider artificial intelligence approaches and their uses.
15 · A Level additional
Compulsory within this study stage.
19 Computational thinking and Problem-solving
Extend algorithms and use recursion to solve problems.
20 Further Programming
Explore programming paradigms, file processing and exception handling.
16 · Skills you will develop
Practise tracing, writing and testing algorithms and programs. Build practical fluency with the language and tools selected by the centre for the syllabus requirements.
17 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2026.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/697372-2026-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which topic is concerned with storing and querying structured data?
– 3 Hardware
– 8 Databases
– 7 Ethics and Ownership
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 8 Databases
Correct feedback: 8 Databases: Model structured data and use database management and query concepts. Review slide 07 and 08.
If 3 Hardware is selected: 3 Hardware: Explore computer components and logic gates and circuits. Review slide 03 and 04. The best match to this question is 8 Databases.
If 7 Ethics and Ownership is selected: 7 Ethics and Ownership: Evaluate ethical issues, intellectual property and ownership. Review slide 07 and 08. The best match to this question is 8 Databases.
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: Artificial Intelligence (AI), topic 18, belongs to AS topics 1–12.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: False
Correct feedback: Correct. Topic 18 is additional A Level content.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. Topic 18 is additional A Level content.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Plan, design, test and maintain programs.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 12 ____ Development
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Software. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 12 Software Development: Plan, design, test and maintain programs. Review slide 09 and 10.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Software”; the complete title is 12 Software Development. Review slide 09 and 10.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 3 Hardware; 8 Databases; 19 Computational thinking and Problem-solving
– Explore computer components and logic gates and circuits. → [drop zone]
– Model structured data and use database management and query concepts. → [drop zone]
– Extend algorithms and use recursion to solve problems. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 3 Hardware. Review slide 03 and 04.
– Row 2: 8 Databases. Review slide 07 and 08.
– Row 3: 19 Computational thinking and Problem-solving. Review slide 15.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Represent data, images and sound, and explore compression.
– Use programming constructs and structured design to solve problems.
Selectable text:
1 Information representation / 2 Communication / 11 Programming / 3 Hardware
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 1 Information representation; 11 Programming.
Incorrect labels: 2 Communication; 3 Hardware.
Correct feedback: 1 Information representation: Represent data, images and sound, and explore compression. Review slide 03 and 04. 11 Programming: Use programming constructs and structured design to solve problems. Review slide 09 and 10.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 2 Communication: Explain networks and communication across the internet. Review slide 03 and 04. 3 Hardware: Explore computer components and logic gates and circuits. Review slide 03 and 04.