National 5 Computing Science is assessed by an SQA exam and a practical assignment worth 50 marks, split across Software Design and Development and Information System Design and Development.

Pupils program in a text-based language, usually Python, working with arrays, nested loops, functions and parameters, string operations and file handling, and must produce full design documentation, test tables and evaluations. Systems content covers binary and two's complement, floating point, image and sound storage, computer architecture, databases, SQL, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

The exam is precise about terminology and about correct code syntax written by hand, which is exactly the kind of thing that improves quickly with focused one-to-one practice.

Curriculum Breakdown

Important Topics

Software Design & Development — Analysis, design, implementation, testing, evaluation and documentation.
Programming Techniques — Arrays, nested loops, functions with parameters, string handling and file access.
Data Representation — Binary, two's complement, floating point, bitmap graphics and sound sampling.
Computer Architecture — Processor, memory, buses and the fetch-execute cycle.
Database Design & SQL — Tables, keys, relationships, and select, insert, update and delete queries.
Web Design & Development — HTML structure, CSS styling and JavaScript for interactivity.
Security, Law & Environment — Cyber threats, the Computer Misuse Act, data protection and environmental impact.

Ready To Strengthen Your Child's Learning?

Book a free demo class in Computer Science — National 5.

Book A Free Demo Class

Computer Science

Mathematics

English

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Computer Science

Important Topics

Ready To Strengthen Your Child's Learning?

Related Curriculum Pages