Computer Studies / Computing

Assessment

We will follow the AQA Specification (7517). The content is examined at A level in three components: • Paper 1 (40 per cent of A-level) This is a 2½ hour exam done at a computer using previously released material. This exam will assess programming skills mainly but also some other mathematical topics which are heavily used in the world of computer science. Learners answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an electronic answer document provided by AQA. AQA will issue preliminary material, a skeleton program (available in each of the programming languages) and, where appropriate, test data, for use in the exam. • Paper 2 (40 per cent of A-level) This is a 2½ hour written exam consisting of compulsory short-answer and extended-answer questions on a wide variety of theoretical topics. • Paper 3 (20 per cent of A-level) The non-exam assessment assesses a pupil’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Learners will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem-solving.