Download Computer science

Know what is coming
SUBJECT OVERVIEW
SUBJECT:
How many exams and /or controlled assessments will I sit in this subject?
2 exams and 1 non-exam assessment
What do I have to do in each exam / assessment?
A Level: This will assess
Fundamentals of programming
Fundamentals of data structures
Fundamentals of algorithms
Theory of computation
Fundamentals of data representation
Fundamentals of computer systems
Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
Consequences of uses of computing
Fundamentals of communication and networking
Fundamentals of databases
Big Data
Fundamentals of functional programming
Systematic approach to problem solving
Non-exam assessment - the computing practical project
How long is each exam / assessment?
A Level Paper 1:
On-screen exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% of A-level
A Level Paper 2:
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% of A-level
A Level Non-exam Assessment
75 marks
20% of A-level
What are the most common pitfalls which prevent success in this subject?
Independent study is key and showing resilience, particularly when learning to program
for the first time as this doesn’t come naturally to everyone but anyone can be
successful at it!
What are the best tasks and activities I can do to revise as I go along in this subject?
If you are new to programming then practising this as much and as often as you can is
the key to learning how to program. Even for those who have programmed before
keeping practised at programming is the best way to be prepared for the programming
elements of the course.
For theory looking at past papers is a good place to start.
What other advice is there which will help in order to avoid these pitfalls?
Approach the course with an open mind and be positive and resilient.
Don’t suffer in silence, ask for help
Speak to fellow students on the course and collaborate, this has a wide ranging set of
theoretical concepts and it is quite possible that you will understand parts of the course
that others won’t and vice versa.