GCSE Computer Science

How is the course externally examined?

Assessment – Students will undertake two externally assessed written papers, one of which focuses on Computer Science theory and the other on Computer programming and coding techniques that are delivered through a practical, hands-on approach in the classroom.

J277/01: Computer systems

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks

J277/02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks

Students are graded from 9 – 1.

How is the course internally assessed?

All students complete an assessment each half term, assessing prior knowledge and understanding of topics covered throughout the academic year. A range of questions are presented, including short questions to extended writing questions. Furthermore, In Year 10, they will complete a mock paper in HT3B which is graded out of 80 and covers theory from both U1 and U2. Within Y11, they follow the same structure, however, they do complete two mock papers – one in HT1b and a further one in HT2b and this follows the same structure as the mock in Year 10.