Comp Sci Checklist
Comp Sci Checklist
Comp Sci Checklist
Learner Guide
Version 1
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Make sure you always check the latest syllabus, which is available from our public website.
Prior knowledge
Candidates beginning this course are not expected to have studied computer science previously. However, the content of the
Cambridge IGCSETM Computer Science 0478, Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210 or Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Computer
Science 0984 will provide a useful introduction to the subject.
Key concepts
Key concepts are essential ideas that help you to develop a deep understanding of your subject and make links between
different aspects of the course. The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science are:
• Computational thinking
Computational thinking is a set of fundamental skills that help produce a solution to a problem. Skills such as
abstraction, decomposition and algorithmic thinking are used to study a problem and design a solution that can be
implemented. This may involve using a range of technologies and programming languages.
• Programming paradigms
A programming paradigm is a way of thinking about or approaching problems. There are many different programming
styles that can be used, which are suited to unique functions, tools and specific situations. An understanding of
programming paradigms is essential to ensure they are used appropriately, when designing and building programs.
• Communication
Communication is a core requirement of computer systems. It includes the ability to transfer data from one device or
component to another and an understanding of the rules and methods that are used in this data transfer. Communication
could range from the internal transfer of data within a computer system, to the transfer of a video across the internet.
All computers comprise of a combination of hardware components, ranging from internal components, such as the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) and main memory, to peripherals. To produce effective and efficient programs to run on hardware, it
is important to understand how the components work independently and together to produce a system that can be
used. Hardware needs software to be able to perform a task. Software allows hardware to become functional. This
enables the user to communicate with the hardware to perform tasks.
AO1 30 30
AO2 40 30
AO3 30 40
Total 100 100
AO1 60 – 60 –
AO2 40 40 40 –
AO3 – 60 – 100
Total 100 100 100 100
Analyse examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them
Assess make an informed judgement
Calculate work out from given facts, figures or information
Comment give an informed opinion
Compare identify/comment on similarities and/or differences
Develop take forward to a more advanced stage or build upon given information
All information and advice in this section is specific to the example question and response being
demonstrated. It should give you an idea of how your responses might be viewed by an examiner but
it is not a list of what to do in all questions. In your own examination, you will need to pay careful
attention to what each question is asking you to do.
Question
Command words in the question have been highlighted and
their meaning explained. This should help you to understand
clearly what is required by the question.
Mark scheme
This tells you as clearly as possible what an examiner expects
from an answer in order to award marks.
General advice
These tips will help you to answer questions in general.
Paper 3 – Question 2
Explain how – set out the method used to perform the given
task showing that you understand how the method used is
applied to the situation set out in the question.
This question requires knowledge and understanding of the TCP / IP stack, together with knowledge of protocols and
understanding of what they are used for and how they are used.
Transport (layer)
Content in brackets not essential
Internet (layer)
Now let’s look at the example candidate response to the question and the examiner comments.
Internet (layer)
General advice
It is always a good idea to read the question carefully, noticing the command words and key instructions (in this case
‘Complete’, ‘State’, ‘Give’ and ‘Explain how’). You may want to underline them to help you think about what they mean.
Many candidates jump straight into writing their answer only to realise too late that they’ve answered a slightly
different question to the one on the examination paper. Read the question first and pause to think about what you need
to include before you start writing your answer – this will help you to choose an appropriate method of answering the
question, so you don’t waste time in the examination.
When answering a question that includes technical computer science terms, the example question includes several technical
terms (‘TCP / IP protocol suite’, ‘application layer’, ‘BitTorrent etc.’). It is often helpful to highlight the terms in the
question. The terms and the command words used will help you to think about how you are going to answer the
question.
Using correct computer science terminology in your answers will help you express your ideas clearly as well as making it easier
for someone else to understand what you have done.
When answering a question that involves calculations, many candidates jump straight into writing their working only
to realise too late that they’ve used the wrong method. Read the question first and pause to think about what you
need to find before you start doing any working – this will help you to choose an efficient method, so you don’t waste
time in the
examination. Don’t forget that your working is part of your solution and you can gain method marks even if you don’t get as
far as a correct answer.
If you have had a good attempt at a question and still not managed to finish it, it is best to move on to another question and
come back to it later. This will help you to make good use of the time you have available.
Allow a few minutes at the end of the examination to check your work. This will help you to spot errors in your answers that
could lose you marks.
Section 6: Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice and specific advice for each
of the papers.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.
General advice
Before the examination
Find out when the examinations are and plan your revision so you have enough time for each topic. A revision timetable
will help you.
Find out how long each paper is and how many questions you have to answer.
Know the meaning of the command words used in questions and how to apply them to the information given. Highlight
the command words in past papers and check what they mean. There is a list on page 11 of this guide.
Make revision notes; try different styles of notes. See the Learner Guide: Planning, Reflection and Revision (www.
cambridgeinternational.org/images/371937-learner-guide-planning-reflection-and-revision.pdf) which has ideas
about note-taking. Discover what works best for you.
Work for short periods then have a break. Revise small sections of the syllabus at a time.
Build your confidence by practising questions on each of the topics.
Make sure you practise lots of past examination questions so that you are familiar with the format of the examination
papers. You could time yourself when doing a paper so that you know how quickly you need to work in the real
examination.
Look at mark schemes to help you understand how the marks are awarded for each question.
Make sure you are familiar with the technical terminology that you need for this syllabus. Your teacher will be able to
advise you on what is expected.
Always show your working. Marks are usually awarded for using correct steps in the method even if you make a mistake
somewhere.
Don’t cross out any working in a calculation until you have replaced it by trying again. Even if you know it’s not
correct you may still be able to get method marks. If you have made two or more attempts, make sure you cross
out all except the one you want marked.
Make sure all your numbers are clear, for example make sure your ‘1’ doesn’t look like a ‘7’.
If you need to change a word or a number, it is better to cross out your work and rewrite it. Don’t try to write over the top
of your previous work as it will be difficult to read and you may not get the marks.
Don’t write any pseudocode answers in two columns in the examination. It is difficult for the examiners to read and
follow your working.
Advice for Papers 1 and 3
Always use the logic gate symbols from the syllabus when drawing logic circuits.
Always use the opcodes given on the syllabus or shown on the examination paper when writing assembly language
instructions.
Try and use capital letters when writing assembly language opcodes, SQL or pseudocode commands so they can be
clearly recognised as commands by the examiner.
Where possible use SQL and pseudocode commands that are given in the syllabus, any other commands should be
identified and explained.
Advice for Paper 2
Try and use capital letters when writing pseudocode commands so they can be clearly recognised as commands by the
examiner.
Where possible use pseudocode commands that are given in the syllabus, any other commands should be identified and
explained.
Annotate pseudocode with comments.
Fully label diagrams.
Revision checklists
The tables below can be used as a revision checklist: It doesn’t contain all the detailed knowledge you need to know, just an overview. For more detail see the syllabus and talk to
your teacher.
The table headings are explained below:
• Understand the difference between the World Wide Web (WWW) and the
Internet
• Describe and use methods of data validation (on entry) and data verification
(on entry and during transfer)
Ethics and Ownership • Understand the need for ethical computer professionals, copyright
legislation, software licensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Data Types and structures • Select and use basic data types including records
• Understand and use Abstract Data Types (ADTs) including stacks, queues and
linked lists
• Test and maintain a program including error identification and location, test
strategy and planning, choice of test data, different types of maintenance
• Produce truth tables for logic circuits including full and half adders
Algorithms • Understand linear and binary searching, bubble and insertion sorts, Abstract
Data Types (ADTs) (stack, queue, linked list and binary tree), use of recursion,
file and exception handling
Paper 4 – Practical
Python www.python.org/downloads/
Declarative programming
Prolog www.swi-prolog.org/
Technical terms
British Computer Society Glossary www.bcs.org/category/5656
Revision www.teach-ict.com/