Computer Science

Computer Science — IGCSE

British Curriculum · Cambridge Assessment International Education · Years 10-11 · Ages 14-16

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478/0984) is assessed by two written papers: computer systems, and algorithms, programming and logic. There is no coursework, but candidates must write and read pseudocode fluently on paper.

Content covers data representation, data transmission, hardware, software, the internet and its security, automated and emerging technologies, algorithm design and problem solving, programming concepts, databases and boolean logic.

Paper 2 is where grades are decided. Candidates must trace algorithms accurately using trace tables and write syntactically clean pseudocode — both are practised skills rather than knowledge, and both improve quickly with feedback.

Key topics covered

• Data Representation — Binary, hexadecimal, two's complement, character sets, images and sound.
• Data Transmission & Security — Packets, transmission methods, error checking, encryption and cyber threats.
• Hardware & Software — CPU architecture, the fetch-decode-execute cycle, memory, storage and the OS.
• Algorithm Design — Pseudocode, flowcharts, trace tables, searching and sorting.
• Programming Concepts — Variables, selection, iteration, arrays, procedures, functions and file handling.
• Databases — Single-table databases, field types, primary keys and structured queries.
• Boolean Logic — Logic gates, truth tables and logic expressions.