Computing

Exam Board: AQA

This is a Linear course, in which Students will develop skills in:

Computational Thinking – the kind of reasoning used by both humans and machines; what can be computed, programming and problem-solving including communication and networking
The fundamental principles of the subject, focusing on programming through a problem-solving scenario
The hardware and software aspects of Computing and the social and economic consequences of Computing

Course Details

Fundamentals of programming
Fundamentals of data structures
Fundamentals of algorithms
Theory of computation
Fundamentals of data representation
Fundamentals of computer systems
Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
Consequences of uses of computing
Fundamentals of communication and networking
Fundamentals of databases
Big Data
Fundamentals of functional programming
Systematic approach to problem-solving
Non-exam assessment – the computing practical project

Enrichment Opportunities

British Informatics Olympiad
Programming in different languages and environments
Networking computers
Discussions of real life uses of Computing

Assessment

Paper 1

On-screen exam: 2 hours 30 minutes

40% of A-level

Tests a student’s ability to program, as well as their theoretical knowledge of Computer Science from subject 1-4 above and the skills required from section 13 above.

Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document

Paper 2

Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes

40% of A-level

Tests a student’s ability to answer questions from subject content 5-12 above.

Compulsory short-answer and extended-answer questions.

Non-Exam Assessment

75 marks

20% of A-level

Assesses student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem-solving, as shown in section 13 above.

Students are assessed in school via modular tests, end of unit test and continued practical assessment.

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