Specification at a glance

AS

Subject content

Assessments

Paper 1

What's assessed:

this paper tests a student's ability to program, as well as their theoretical knowledge of computer science from subject content 1-4 above.

Assessed

  • On-screen exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 50% of AS

Questions

Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document provided by us.

We will issue preliminary material, a skeleton program (available in each of the programming languages) and, where appropriate, test data, for use in the exam.

Paper 2

What's assessed:

this paper tests a student's ability to answer questions from subject content 5-9 above.

Assessed

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 50% of AS

Questions

A series of short-answer and extended-answer questions.

A-level

Subject content

Assessments

Paper 1

What's assessed: this paper tests a student's ability to program, as well as their theoretical knowledge of Computer Science from subject content 10-13 above and the skills required from section 22 above.

Assessed

  • On-screen exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 40% of A-level

Questions

Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document provided by us.

We will issue Preliminary Material, a Skeleton Program (available in each of the Programming Languages) and, where appropriate, test data, for use in the exam.

Paper 2

What's assessed: this paper tests a student's ability to answer questions from subject content 14-21 above.

Assessed

  • Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 40% of A-level

Questions

Compulsory short-answer and extended-answer questions.

Non-exam assessment

What's assessed: the non-exam assessment assesses student's ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving, as shown in section 22 above.

Assessed

  • 75 marks
  • 20% of A-level