Computer Science

Assessment

Component 1 – Systems [40% of A-Level] The internal workings of the CPU, data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. Assessment: Written exam, 2 hours and 30 minutes. Component 2 – Algorithms and programming [40% of A-Level] This builds on component 1 to include computational thinking and problem solving. The focus of this component is developing an understanding of standard algorithms and how to interpret real world problems as a combination of variables and structures which can be manipulated in the digital world. Assessment: Written exam, 2 hours and 30 minutes. Paper 3 – Programming project [20% of A-Level] Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science. Assessment: Internally marked non examined assessment. This will take approximately 70 hours to complete.