Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618)
Study computer systems, computational thinking and programming, progressing to advanced theory and a practical programming examination.
2026 examinations
Course structure and assessment routes
- AS: Papers 1 and 2. A Level: all four papers, together or with an eligible AS result carried forward.
Main syllabus content
- AS: information representation, communication, hardware and processor fundamentals
- AS: software, security, ethics and databases
- AS: algorithms, data structures, programming and software development
- A Level: advanced systems, networking, security, AI and programming
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
9618 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
Paper 1
Theory Fundamentals
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Sections 1–8.
Paper 2
Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Sections 9–12; written pseudocode answers.
Paper 3
Advanced Theory
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 25% A Level
Sections 13–20.
Paper 4
Practical
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- Marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 25% A Level
Programming and testing on a computer without internet or email.
Key assessment information
- No calculators in any paper. For Paper 4 use Java, Visual Basic .NET or Python in console mode, following the syllabus requirements. All papers are externally assessed. AS grades a–e; A Level A*–E; Cambridge carry-forward rules apply.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official 9618 syllabus/specification (PDF). 2026 examinations.
Source PDF pages: 9, 10, 11, 12. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.