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OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science (J277)
Students take J277/01 and J277/02 to be awarded the OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science.
This component will assess:
1.1 Systems architecture
1.2 Memory and storage
1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols
1.4 Network security
1.5 Systems software
1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology
This component will assess:
• 2.1 Algorithms
• 2.2 Programming fundamentals
• 2.3 Producing robust programs
• 2.4 Boolean logic
• 2.5 Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments
Assessment Overview
50% of total GCSE : 80 marks
This is a non-calculator paper.
All questions are mandatory.
This paper consists of multiple choice questions, short response questions and extended response questions
50% of total GCSE: 80 marks
This is a non-calculator paper.
This paper has two sections: Section A and Section B. Students must answer both sections. All questions are mandatory.
In Section B, questions assessing students’ ability to write or refine algorithms must be answered using either the OCR Exam Reference Language or the
high-level programming language they are familiar with.
AQA GCSE Computer Science(8525)
Subject content
- 3.1 Fundamentals of algorithms
- 3.2 Programming
- 3.3 Fundamentals of data representation
- 3.4 Computer systems
- 3.5 Fundamentals of computer networks
- 3.6 Cyber security
- 3.7 Relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
- 3.8 Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy
Assessments
Paper 1: Computational thinking and programming skills What’s assessed Computational thinking, code tracing, problem-solving, programming concepts including the design of effective algorithms and the designing, writing, testing and refining of code.
The content for this assessment will be drawn from subject content 3.1 and 3.2 above.
How it’s assessed - Written exam: 2 hours
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
| Questions
A mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing programming, practical problem-solving and computational thinking skills. |
| Paper 2: Computing concepts |
|---|
| What’s assessed
The content for this assessment will be drawn from subject content 3.3 to 3.8 above. |
How it’s assessed
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| Questions
A mix of multiple choice, short answer, longer answer and extended response questions assessing SQL programming skills and theoretical knowledge. |
For detailed information, click here.
Edexcel Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science (*Paper code: 1CP2/01)
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of the qualification : 75 marks
Content overview
This paper will assess Topics 1 to 5.
● Topic 1: Computational thinking – understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to follow, amend and write algorithms; ability to construct truth tables.
● Topic 2: Data – understanding of binary, data representation, data storage and compression.
● Topic 3: Computers – understanding of hardware and software components of computer systems and characteristics of programming languages.
● Topic 4: Networks – understanding of computer networks and network security.
● Topic 5: Issues and impact – awareness of emerging trends in computing
technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the
environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.
Assessment overview
This paper consists of five compulsory questions, each one focused on one of the topic areas. The questions consist of multiple-choice, short-, medium- and extended-open- response, tabular and diagrammatic items.
Onscreen examination: 2 hours 50% of the qualification :75 marks
Content overview
This paper will assess Topic 6: Problem solving with programming.
The main focus of this paper is:
● understanding what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work in
relation to creating programs
● understanding how to decompose and analyse problems
● ability to read, write, refine and evaluate programs.
Assessment overview
This practical paper requires students to design, write, test and refine programs in order to solve problems.
Students will complete this assessment onscreen using their Integrated Development Environment (IDE) of choice.
They will be provided with:
● coding files
● a hard copy of the question paper
● the Programming Language Subset (PLS) – as an insert in the question paper and in electronic format. Students should then answer the questions onscreen using Python 3.
This assessment consists of six compulsory questions.