Computer Studies / Computing

Assessment

Paper 1 - On-screen examination: 2h30m - 40% of the qualification An externally assessed written examination. Topics include data structures, algorithms and the theory of computation. Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an electronic answer document provided by AQA. The exam board releases a program and preliminary material which students will study and answer questions on in the exam. Paper 2 - Written examination: 2h30m - 40% of the qualification An externally-assessed written examination covering topics including, computer architecture, data representation, ethical and legal, communication and networking and databases. The exam consists of short-answer and extended-answer questions. Non-examined Assessment - 20% of the qualification Students produce a computer program and accompanying documentation. This unit assesses student's ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Examples of types of problems solved by students in the past are: • A simulation for example, of a business or scientific nature • A solution to a data processing problem for an organisation, such as membership systems • the solution of an optimisation problem, such as the production of a rota, shortest-path problems or route finding • Game development, i.e checkers/ chess/ platform games • Websites or phone apps