Computer Science
A Level · AQA
Computer Science
ViewingBiology
View topicsChemistry
View topicsPhysics
View topicsEnglish
View topicsMathematics
View topicsAQA A-Level Computer Science (7517) is unusual among A-Levels in that Paper 1 is sat at a computer: students are given a preliminary material booklet in advance and then solve programming problems live in the exam, with their code marked. Paper 2 is a written paper on theory, and a substantial non-examined assessment project accounts for twenty per cent of the grade.
The specification is more theoretical than most students expect from GCSE, covering Boolean algebra, finite state machines, Big-O complexity, functional programming and the mathematics of computation alongside practical development. The NEA is where grades are won or lost: projects that solve a genuine problem for a real user, with proper analysis and testing evidence, score well above those that are technically competent but arbitrary.
Important Topics
- Programming FundamentalsData types, structures, subroutines, recursion and object-oriented design.
- Data Structures & AlgorithmsLists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, searching, sorting and Big-O.
- Theory of ComputationFinite state machines, regular expressions, Turing machines and computability.
- Computer SystemsBoolean algebra, logic gates, hardware, assembly language and architecture.
- Networks & DatabasesProtocols, security, relational databases, SQL and normalisation.
- Consequences of ComputingLegal, ethical, moral and cultural issues in the use of technology.
- NEA ProjectAnalysis, design, iterative development, testing and evaluation.
Ready To Strengthen Your Child's Learning?
Book a free Computer Science demo class for A Level · AQA.