Example Candidate Responses

Cambridge International AS & A Level

Computer Science

9608

Paper 2
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© Cambridge International Examinations 2016

Version 1
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4

Assessment at a glance .................................................................................................... 5

Paper 2 – Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills ............................... 6

Introduction

Introduction

The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge International AS & A
Level Computer Science (9608), and to show how different levels of candidates’ performance relate to the
subject’s curriculum and assessment objectives.

In this booklet candidate responses have been chosen to exemplify a range of answers. Each response is
accompanied by a brief commentary explaining the strengths and weaknesses of the answers.

For ease of reference the following format for each component has been adopted:

Question

Mark scheme

Example candidate
response

Examiner comment

Each question is followed by an extract of the mark scheme used by examiners. This, in turn, is followed by
examples of marked candidate responses, each with an examiner comment on performance. Comments are
given to indicate where and why marks were awarded, and how additional marks could have been obtained.
In this way, it is possible to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and what they still
have to do to improve their marks.

This document illustrates the standard of candidate work for those parts of the assessment which help
teachers assess what is required to achieve marks beyond what should be clear from the mark scheme.
Some question types where the answer is clear from the mark scheme, such as short answers and multiple
choice, have therefore been omitted.

Past papers, Examiner Reports and other teacher support materials are available on Teacher Support at
https://teachers.cie.org.uk

4 Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science 9608

 Assessment at a glance

Assessment at a glance

Teachers are reminded that the latest syllabus is available on our public website at www.cie.org.uk and
Teacher Support at https://teachers.cie.org.uk

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Paper 2

Paper 2 – Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming

Skills

Question 1

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Question 1, continued

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Question 1, continued

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Mark scheme

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – high

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Example candidate response – high, continued

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – high, continued

Examiner comment – high

In parts (a) and (b)(i) the candidate has correctly identified from the given algorithm the variables needed.

In part (b)(ii) candidates must write the name of the programming language which is to be used; that is,
either Visual Basic.NET, Python or Pascal. The candidate here has written that the code will be contained in
the procedure sub_Main. This information is for the benefit of the marker. The candidate has followed the
instructions given and started the coding with the declaration of the variables to be used. The code follows
exactly the order of statements in the given algorithm. The input of the three numbers, the calculation of the
total time in seconds and the final input of the personal best are all correctly coded. However, the logic for
the final stage of the program is incorrect. The candidate should realise that if the new time is greater than
the current personal best then the personal best will remain unchanged. However, the candidate’s logic for
an equal time is correct and so scores one of the available three marks.

This is a clear answer for part (c)(i). The two key points looked for in the answer are firstly – that the
programmer will need to have a detailed knowledge of the program code. Secondly – the programmer will
need to carefully choose data values designed to test the various paths through the code.
This clear thinking is put into practice for the final part (ii). The candidate has selected one time which is
greater that the current personal best and one which is less. The numeric time values are complemented
which a clear descriptive message.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 3/3

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 5/7
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 2/2, (ii) 6/6

Total marks awarded = 17 out of 19

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Example candidate response – middle

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

Examiner comment – middle

In parts (a) and (b)(i) the candidate has followed the given algorithm and used appropriate identifier names.

The program code in part (b)(ii) has gained the maximum seven marks. The candidate has done as
instructed and stated the language used before the first line of code. The candidate has used brackets,
which are not required for the calculation of the TotalTimeSeconds variable, but the mark is still awarded
for this statement. The logic for the final IF statement is correct.

In part (c)(i) the candidate is suggesting that white-box testing is the same as a dry-run trace away from the
computer. Candidates should appreciate that knowledge of the code is required and test data must be
carefully selected. This selection of data is then required in practice for the final part (c)(ii). The candidate
has incorrectly repeated the same values.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 3/3

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 7/7
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 0/2, (ii) 2/6

Total marks awarded = 13 out of 17

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Example candidate response – low

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Example candidate response – low, continued

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Example candidate response – low, continued

Examiner comment – low

The candidate seems to have confused the current total time with the personal best time. The choice of the
third variable for part (a)(i) should match closely to the algorithm given in the question rubric.

For the program code in part (b)(ii) although the candidate has stated this is ‘Visual Basic’, it is clearly code
that would have been written in the Visual Basic forms-based environment. The syllabus guideline states
that if the chosen language is Visual Basic, this must use console mode. Also the variables used for the
code do not match with those asked for in the identifier tables for the earlier parts (a) and (b)(i). Candidates
should be encouraged the see the question as a whole and look for a progression which was the intention
here.

The examiner has given the candidate the benefit of any doubt and assumed that the candidates’ intention is
for RT to store the ‘current race time’ and RB to store the ‘race best time’ i.e. the personal best time. The
final statements demonstrate the correct logic and so gain credit.

In part (c)(i) the explanation for white-box testing gains one of the available two marks. The concept of the
need for test data is present.

For the final test data table in part (c)(ii), the candidate correctly shows a set of data values which give a new
personal best time with a suitable commentary. However, the other data set is for another time which equals
the current personal best and this test case is already given in the table.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 2/3

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 4/7
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 1/2, (ii) 3/6

Total marks awarded = 11 out of 17

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Question 2

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Question 2, continued

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Question 2, continued

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Mark scheme

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Mark scheme, continued

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Paper 2

Example candidate response – high

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Example candidate response – high, continued

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Example candidate response – high, continued

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Examiner comment – high
In part (a)(i) the intention here was a description of what the code would appear to do for the user. Hence
the first mark point is for describing that the list of menu choice will be displayed to the user. This is very
different from an answer which simply repeats the pseudocode “it calls DisplayMenu”. Other key mark points
are that the user sees a prompt and the program waits for an input from the user. The program will again
prompt the user until the value entered is 1, 2, 3 or 4.

In part (a)(ii) the intention in the design is that the loop is there to perform validation of the user input. Many
candidates – including this answer – used the words ‘invalid’ or ‘valid’ with a suitable explanation and gained
credit.

Part (b)(i) required a simple trace of the algorithm to establish the three iterations. The answer here for part
(b)(ii) is clear realising that the improvement is the user will only be prompted a limited number of times.
Most candidates answered part (c) with a sequence of IF statements. This candidate has used the
alternative CASE structure with the correct composition.

In part (d) this is almost exemplary Python program code. The candidate has stated that the language used
is Python and used appropriate indentation. The syntax of the statements is all correct except for the
candidate’s use of the comment statement. Candidates need to be clear that for this question it is program
code that is required and so should use the appropriate comment symbol. The candidate has here
incorrectly used syntax for comments in pseudocode.

Marks awarded for part (a) = (i) 2/3, (ii) 1/1

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 1/1
Marks awarded for part (c) = 3/3
Marks awarded for part (d) = 7/8

Total marks awarded = 15 out of 17

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Example candidate response – middle

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

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Examiner comment – middle

Candidates are asked to state the programming language used in the code which follows.
In part (a)(i) the candidate should realise that all lines of the pseudocode will generate some action. There is
no mention of the display of the list of actions coded as procedure DisplayMenu.

In part (a)(ii) the candidate has correctly identified that the code is designed to trap an invalid response from
the user.

In part (b)(i) the candidate has correctly stated that the loop will iterate at most three times but is then unable
to comment on the practical reason for this in part (b)(ii). Candidates should appreciate that the code has
shown ‘good practice’ and used meaningful identifier names – so use of the identifier NoOfAttempts in the
question rubric should provide a trigger.

For part (c) the candidate has not used the exact pseudocode syntax documented in the syllabus section
2.3.3 which has been condoned. Also note the omission of the speech mark delimiters from the case 3 text.
Candidates need to pay attention to detail such as this.

For the program code in part (d) there are some correctly formed statements. The candidate needs to
appreciate the overall structure of the requirement. The DisplayMenu procedure needs to be inside a
loop which terminates when the user selects option 4 from the menu.

Marks awarded for part (a) = (i) 2/3, (ii) 1/1

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 0/1
Marks awarded for part (c) = 3/3
Marks awarded for part (d) = 4/8

Total marks awarded = 11 out of 17

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Example candidate response – low

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Example candidate response – low, continued

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Example candidate response – low, continued

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Examiner comment – low
In part (a)(i) the candidate needs to realise that the use of the call statement is for a procedure. The
candidate has incorrectly identified this as a ‘program’. The candidate has then correctly identified there will
be a prompt for the user but there is no mention of this being followed by the input from the user. Part (a)(ii)
needs to be clearly expressed. Clear expression of some process is a key skill for the computer scientist.

In part (b)(i) the candidate has correctly identified that there will be at most three iterations but this is
followed in part (ii) with a statement that there will be a ‘considerable’ amount of tries allowed. The key point
needs to be made that the code is designed to limit the number of attempts to a stated maximum.

In part (c) the candidate has followed the rubric to write pseudocode and this shows three correctly formed
nested IF statements.

In part (d) the candidate has stated that the language to be used in Python. However, they have not
followed the question rubric for a Python answer and shown a comment statement for each variable used
with its data type. This answer has few aspects of the key design present. There has been no attempt to
show separate procedures for the ReadFile and DisplayMenu code. Also the question rubric to
repeatedly display the menu is not present.

Marks awarded for part (a) = (i) 1/3, (ii) 0/1

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 0/1
Marks awarded for part (c) = 3/3
Marks awarded for part (d) = 2/8

Total marks awarded = 7 out of 17

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Question 3

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Question 3, continued

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Mark scheme

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Example candidate response – high

Examiner comment – high

This is a strong answer. The labelling of the top control box and the procedures is correct. The candidate
has correctly identified the data items recorded from the input stage and then correctly used the model and
age of the computer for the calculation of the premium price. However, it will be the policy charge which is
the output item from procedure B. The items needed for procedure A (send the quotation letter) have been
correctly identified.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 2/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = 3/4

Total marks awarded = 5 out of 6

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – middle

Examiner comment – middle

The candidate has not followed the rubric of the question and used the letters to complete the labelled of the
structure chart. The question has been designed in this way to reduce the amount the candidate has to
write.

The candidate has interpreted the text ‘send quotation letter’; as a letter which is sent out to the computer
owner as an invite to produce a quotation. The candidate should realise that this is a letter which is sent out
at the end of the process – to notify the policyholder of the amount the insurance will cost.

The candidate has however ‘recovered’ with the correct labelling of all the data item arrows for the answer to
part (b) and was not penalised for the failure to use letters for the labelling.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 0/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = 4/4

Total marks awarded = 4 out of 6

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Example candidate response – low

Examiner comment – low

Candidates need to make the link in the syllabus content between the drawing of a structure chart (section
2.1.2) and the use of procedures when writing program code (Section 2.3.6). Passing parameter values into
and out of a procedure call is exactly what the arrows on this structure chart are depicting.

The candidate should appreciate that the control box will describe some overarching process – in this case
‘produce insurance quotation’. It then follows that the three processes – in this case the sequence D, B and
A – make up this process. The candidate has correctly identified A as the final procedure in the sequence
but both D and A were required to secure a mark.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 0/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = 2/4

Total marks awarded = 2 out of 6

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Question 4

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Mark scheme

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Example candidate response – high

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Examiner comment – high
This is a perfect answer for the pseudocode in part (i). Candidates should note that ENDFOR is one word in
the syllabus pseudocode.

Part (ii) – like the earlier question 2(a)(i) and 2(b)(ii) – required a clear descriptive statement. Here the
candidate needed to make clear it is the final score of each player that determines a draw result. The
candidate should not have confused ‘throws’ with the final total.

Marks awarded for part (i) = 5/5

Marks awarded for part (ii) = 0/1

Total marks awarded = 5 out of 6

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Example candidate response – middle

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Examiner comment – middle
When a loop counter variable is described in the rubric of the question, the pseudocode answer which
follows is expected to use this variable.

If the question rubric asks for pseudocode, the candidate should not use keywords that are language
specific, such as NEXT (as an attempted alternative to ENDFOR) or PRINT (as an intended alternative to
OUTPUT).

Marks awarded for part (i) = 3/5

Marks awarded for part (ii) = 1/1

Total marks awarded = 4 out of 6

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Example candidate response – low

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Examiner comment – low
The given loop counter NoOfThrows has not been used.
Note the minor spelling errors of the keyword INPUT and identifier Player1Score have not been penalised.

Marks awarded for part (i) = 3/5

Marks awarded for part (ii) = 0/1

Total marks awarded = 3 out of 6

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Paper 2

Question 5 – parts (a), (b) and (c)

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Question 5 – parts (a), (b) and (c), continued

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Question 5 – parts (a), (b) and (c), continued

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Mark scheme

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – high

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Example candidate response – high, continued

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – high, continued

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Examiner comment – high

Candidates need to be aware that there are two types of array in the Section 2 syllabus – a one-dimensional
and two-dimensional array. Also, an array will be declared with a lower and upper bound and be of a stated
data type. The syntax to use for the pseudocode is given in syllabus section 2.2.2. A formal description was
not required for this question – just a statement that a 1D array with data type integer would be the most
appropriate data structure to use. There were many candidate answers which simply stated ‘array’ and did
not gain credit.

For part (b) the trace shown was an exemplary answer and the candidate carries this through into part (ii)
with a clear description of the algorithm.

For part (c) candidates need to realise that it is convention for paper 2 (and Paper 4) that string data will use
double quote delimiters and a character value will have single quote delimiters around the single character.
Candidates were however given the benefit of the doubt – as shown with this answer – and a statement that
this first call was correctly formed was given credit. The explanation for the second call is exemplary with a
clear reference to the need for two parameters. The candidate’s misunderstanding about the use of single
and double quotes is confirmed by their answer for the third procedure call.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 0/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 4/4, (ii) 3/3
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 1/1, (ii) 2/3

Total marks awarded = 10 out of 13

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Example candidate response – middle

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

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Example candidate response – middle, continued

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Examiner comment – middle

See comments for the high script for part (a).

For part (b) the trace is almost complete – only the output of the total has been omitted. For part (ii) the key
word in the question is to ‘describe’. What is required therefore is not a simple repeat of the wording of the
statement in the algorithm. The total numbers of sales from Site X and Site Y is a clear description, the
answer given here is a just a pseudocode statement re-word.

For part (c)(ii) the middle row does not gain credit as the candidate is expected to make reference to the
number of parameters used.

For part (d) candidates need to have studied the pseudocode syntax given in the syllabus for file handling –
Section 2.2.3. Candidates should appreciate that the file is opened for one of three possible ‘modes’. That
is, to write data to the file, read data from an existing file or to append new data to an existing file. Once the
pseudocode has been introduced, teachers should encourage students to put this into practice in their
chosen programming language.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 0/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 3/4, (ii) 1/3
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 0/1, (ii) 2/3

Total marks awarded = 6 out of 13

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Example candidate response – low

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Example candidate response – low, continued

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Example candidate response – low, continued

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Examiner comment – low
This is a weak answer for all three parts.

For part (a) see the comments for the high script about the use and description of arrays.

In part (b) the candidate has correctly iterated through the FOR loop to show the DayNumber values, but the
corresponding x values in column 1 are incorrect.

In part (b)(ii) the key points to describe the algorithm have not been mentioned.

For part (c)(ii) see the comment made for the Grade A script concerning the use of double and single quote
delimiters.

Marks awarded for part (a) = 0/2

Marks awarded for part (b) = (i) 1/4, (ii) 1/3
Marks awarded for part (c) = (i) 0/1, (ii) 2/3

Total marks awarded = 4 out of 13

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Question 5 – parts (d) and (e)

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Question 5 – parts (d) and (e), continued

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Question 5 – parts (d) and (e), continued

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Mark scheme

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Paper 2
Example candidate response – high

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Example candidate response – high, continued

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Paper 2
Examiner comment – high

Part (d) is a sound answer with the candidate understanding the use of a file for reading data from it. The
candidate has ‘made up’ their own identifier name on line 5. This was not necessary as it can be deduced
from the statement given on the next line. This is a good example where the best prepared candidates will
have been those who had been exposed by their teacher to the pre-release materials with the CONCAT
function being covered.

The intention for the final part (e) was to get the candidate to consider – before attempting to write any code
– what variables would be needed for the task. This is a sound answer with the candidate using (mostly)
appropriate identifier names, the correct data type and a clear description. Date as an identifier name was
not considered appropriate.

This is an excellent answer for the program code. All aspects of the task have been correctly designed and
coded. The candidate clearly has ‘looked back’ to the answers they gave for part (i) and used the same
identifiers in the code for part (ii).

Marks awarded for part (d) = 3/4

Marks awarded for part (e) = (i) 3/3, (ii) 7/7

Total marks awarded = 13 out of 14

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Example candidate response – middle
Paper 2
Examiner comment – middle
The script has secured half the marks for the file handling pseudocode. Candidates need to be clear about
the difference between opening a file in ‘read’ or ‘write’ mode.

Part (e)(i) shows a good attempt at identifying the data requirements for the task. Year was a questionable
choice for an identifier name but has been given credit.

The candidate has demonstrated some sound understanding of some of the key statements in Visual Basic
– for example, creating a ‘streamreader’ object and the input from the user of the required date. However
this needs to be complemented with the design of the algorithm for the given task.

Marks awarded for part (d) = 2/4

Marks awarded for part (e) = (i) 2/3, (ii) 3/7

Total marks awarded = 7 out of 14

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Example candidate response – low
Paper 2
Examiner comment – low
The attempt at part (d) shows no awareness of the pseudocode shown in the syllabus for file handling –
section 2.2.3.

In part (e)(i) a good attempt has been made at identifying the data requirements for the task. As the
questions shows a total of three marks, the candidate should have anticipated that at least three variables
would need to be shown for maximum marks.

In part (e)(ii) there is some good evidence of knowledge of the syntax of certain Pascal statements and these
have been credited. However, the candidate needs to appreciate that some of the marks will be awarded for
demonstrating a design that works for the given task.

Marks awarded for part (d) = 0/4

Marks awarded for part (e) = (i) 2/3, (ii) 2/7

Total marks awarded = 4 out of 14

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Cambridge International Examinations
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