$Math Homework$

EdExcel GCSE Computer Science

The textbooks

The course is split into 5 units which we study in order and then you have two examinations, one on your Computer Science theory knowledge (a written exam in the hall) and the other on your programming skill (a practical exam on a machine with no web access). In class we refer to four different textbooks:

1. The standard Computer Science textbook (there are copies in class and I don't suggest buy a copy)

2. The RED revision guide - this gives you a summary of each of the key topics and is great for boosting your knowledge.

3. The YELLOW revision workbook - this gives you a set of practical questions on each topic and is great preparation of doing the exam

4. The HCCS revision guide - this is only available now online and is a summary of past questions (with answers) drawn from past papers.

The Theory Examination
1 hr 30 minutes - 5 multi-part questions
The ISAAC revision pages (not all topics are covered)

Topic 1: Computational thinking

understanding of what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work; ability to follow, amend and write algorithms; ability to construct truth tables.

Revision Video's

An overview of the unit

1. A lesson on Decomposition and Abstraction

2. Bubble sort and Merge sort

3. Binary and Linear search

4. Truth Tables - AND, OR and NOT

5. Truth Tables - AND,OR and NOT combined (and exam qu)

Topic 2 - Data

understanding of binary, data representation, data storage and compression.

Revision Video's

An overview of the unit

1. Unsigned binary

2. Hexadecimal and Binary Addition

3. 2s complement and binary shifts (logical and arithmetic)

4. representation of images

5. representation of sound

6. Data Compression

7. Lossy and Lossless

Topic 3 - Computers

understanding of hardware and software components of computer systems and characteristics of programming languages.

Revision Video's

1. Utility software

2. Audit Trails

Topic 4 - Networks

understanding of computer networks and network security.

Revision Video's

1. Range, Latency and Speed calculations

2. The 4 layer model

Topic 5 - Issues and Impact

awareness of emerging trends in computing technologies, and the impact of computing on individuals, society and the environment, including ethical, legal and ownership issues.

Revision Video's

The Practical Examination
2 hours - 6 pieces of coding
In the exam you get a booklet to help you understand the code - you should practice with a copy.

Topic 6 - Python Coding

The main focus of this paper is:

understanding what algorithms are, what they are used for and how they work in relation to creating programs
understanding how to decompose and analyse problems
ability to read, write, refine and evaluate programs.

Revision Video's

1. Walkthrough of Question 1

2. Walkthrough of Question 2

3. Walkthrough of Question 3

4. Walkthrough of Question 4

a. Keystage 3 video on Logo

b. Keystage 3 video on variables

c. Keystage 3 video on Tuples

d. Keystage 3 video on Lists

Exam Board Guidance - See Paper 2 walkthough and skills videos