New GCEs for 2008

GCE Computing (2510)

Summer 2010 exams: COMP4 The Computing Practical Project

We are holding annual standardisation meetings for teachers in summer 2009 and autumn 2009 for COMP4. At these meetings we will provide support in developing appropriate coursework tasks and using the assessment criteria.

For the 2010 examination all centres will be new to the specification and therefore you must send a representative to one of the meetings. You can register and then book yourself onto a meeting through our event booking service.

Note that no direct invitations to attend these meetings will be despatched by post. You can only book a place online through the event booking service.

See our policy on attendance at coursework standardisation meetings.

Summer 2009 exams

Teachers Notes COMP1

Here are the Instructions for Candidates for the COMP1 examination for 2009 which comprises the Preliminary Material. The Instructions have been prepared in eight program languages (pages 1 to 8 are identical). Candidates must check with their teacher/lecturer if the Skeleton Program in their program language (which begins on page 9) has been amended. If it has been amended, it is the amended version that you must use for your preparation in the lead up to the examination on 11 May 2009 and in the examination itself. A clean copy of the appropriate Instructions for Candidates will be given to you in the examination.

Conference for Computing teachers: summer 2009

The Computing at School group is holding a one-day general conference for Computing and ICT teachers. The conference is free to attend.

New CPD course available for booking now!

Our Continuing Professional Development courses help you to sharpen your skills, pick up excellent teaching tips and improve your career prospects.

For further details, dates and locations and to book your place, visit our on-line booking service.

Legacy Specification
(Examinations Update Issue 2)

Introduction

Introducing AQA's new course specification for Computing for AS and A Level. This new redrafted specification has been designed to:

prepare students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where a knowledge of Computing would be beneficial
allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the fundamental principles of the subject
require no prior knowledge of Computing or ICT.

The following information and specification outline will enable both practising Teachers and Subject Heads to be better informed and supported in the teaching of this subject, particularly if attending one of AQA's Teacher Support meetings.

Classification Codes

Every specification is assigned a national classification code indicating the subject area to which it belongs. The classification code for this specification is 2610.

Centres should be aware that candidates who enter for more than one GCE AS/A level qualification with the same classification code will have only one grade (the highest) counted for the purpose of the School and College Performance Tables.

Centres may wish to advise candidates that, if they take two specifications with the same classification code, universities and employers are very likely to take the view that they have achieved only one of the two GCE AS/A levels. The same view may be taken if candidates take two GCE AS/A level specifications that have different classification codes but have significant overlap of content. Candidates who have any doubts about their subject combinations should check with the university to which they wish to progress or company they wish to join, before embarking on their programmes.

Assessment Objectives

The Assessment objectives are common to AS and A Level.

AO1 - Describe and explain the purpose and characteristics of a range of computing applications and show an understanding of the characteristics of computer systems; describe and explain the need for and use of various forms of data organisation and processing to support the requirements of a computer-based solution; describe and explain the systematic development of high-quality solutions to problems and the techniques for implementing such solutions; comment critically on the consequences of current uses of computing

AO2 - Analyse a problem and identify the parts which are appropriate for a computer-based solution; select, justify and apply appropriate techniques and principles to develop data structures and algorithms for the solution of problems; design, implement and document an effective solution using appropriate hardware and software, including the use of a programming language.