GCSE Computer Science: EDI specification change for 2024 exams

Published: Tuesday 29 Nov 2022

At AQA we're continually reviewing our qualifications to make sure that they meet the demands of teachers and students. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in our qualifications, and as part of our wider work in this important area, we've made a few small changes to improve our GCSE Computer Science (8525) specification.

The changes will take immediate effect with first exams in summer 2024.

Changes for 2024

In a recent blog by the National Cyber Security Centre, there was a discussion about the use of the phrases 'black' and 'white'. In a generic context, 'white' usually equates with 'good, permitted, safe' and 'black' with 'bad, dangerous, forbidden'.

In our GCSE Computer Science specification, we use the phrase 'white-box penetration test' which is indicated as working for the good of the organisation, and 'black-box penetration test' which is indicated as working against the organisation. For the 2024 exams, we're bringing the specification in line with the National Cyber Security Centre and changing these phrases. In addition to this, we're taking the opportunity to make a few other minor improvements.

You can find the updated specification (version 1.2) on our GCSE Science specification pages.

For any students who may be using the revised specification in the summer 2023 exams, there's no change to the assessment and we'll still assess students' work in the normal way.

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