Computational thinking - Computational thinking - OCR - GCSE Computer Science Revision - OCR - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

How to revise OCR computer science GCSE? ›

To make big topics easier to digest, break them up. Students should avoid procrastination and distractions during revisions. Reading, summarising, and creating visual representations of key points help students understand a topic better. Quizzes and practice exams prove exam technique and knowledge.

AQA GCSE Computer Science is a challenging but rewarding exam. It requires students to master hardware and software. Four areas must be considered to get a grade nine: Knowledge: Understanding the course material is crucial.

Computational thinking involves taking a complex problem and breaking it down into a series of small, more manageable problems. Each of these smaller problems can then be looked at individually.

How many exams are there? There are two exam papers at the end of the syllabus, one focusing on computer systems and one with a focus on computational thinking, algorithms and programming. Each paper lasts 1.5 hours and is worth 50% of the total GCSE.

So the “easiest” exam board to achieve a pass is OCR. It has the highest percentage of pupils (64.75%) who achieved a Grade 4 or higher. However, if you're aiming for the very top grades, Pearson Edexcel boasts the highest number of students (9.9%) achieving Grade 8 or Grade 9 results.

Here are the 2023 results statistics for the three largest exam boards. We'll look at pass rates (that's a 4 or above) for Maths, English and Science. Overall, AQA has the lowest pass rates (averaging at 77% across English, Maths and Science), while OCR has the highest average pass rates at 83.5%.

GCSE Maths is widely agreed as one of the hardest GCSE subjects. Its concepts and requirement for problem-solving skills make it challenging for many students. The curriculum includes topics such as algebra, geometry and trigonometry, which can be complex.

The course requires logical reasoning, analytical skills, and a systematic approach to problem-solving. Some students may find this more challenging if they're more accustomed to subjects that require rote memorisation or purely descriptive answers.

Teachers and students took to social media to complain about the J277 GCSE (9-1) paper 2 after students sat the exam in May. Specific concerns raised by teachers were that the exam contained “too many wordy questions”, while the paper was “a huge step up” from previous ones.

The verdict – coding vs computational thinking

While the two terms are often used synonymously, it is essential to understand that coding entails the basic translation of logic or rationales into a programming language. Computational thinking, on the other hand, can be conceived as a step prior to that of coding.

What are the 3 A's of computational thinking? ›

The "three As" Computational Thinking Process describes computational thinking as a set of three steps: abstraction, automation, and analysis.

Thus, computational thinking skills such as pattern recognition and decomposition, design and the use of abstraction, the use of appropriate computational tools and the definition of algorithms have been identified as part of the mathematical problem-solving process (Wilensky, 1995).

Our GCSE (9-1) Computer Science consists of two components. Candidates must take both papers. The qualification is marked out of a total of 160 marks.

Our qualification has a straightforward structure with six comprehensive topic areas, assessed through two externally-examined papers. One of these is a written paper focused on computational thinking, data, computers, networks, and issues and impact of computing in the world today.

You could use a calculator in a history or English exam if you wanted. The questions in GCSE Computer Science only require a very basic ability in Maths. You can't use a calculator because the sums are easy enough to do in your head, or write down on your paper.

Make a revision plan.

This is a great way to start. Keep the sessions in your revision plan to a maximum of 30 minutes each and vary the topics - don't keep repeating the ones you already know. Limit yourself to seven hours max of revision a day.

KnowItAll Ninja is a premium e-learning website that covers a variety of subjects, including AQA & OCR GCSE Computer Science revision. We have been providing online learning courses to teachers and students for 7 years and are used by over 50,000 students.

Delve into A-Level Computer Science past papers to identify recurring patterns. Pay attention to the types of questions, the allocation of marks, and any particular themes emphasised. Knowing the lay of the land equips you to tailor your revision to the specific demands of the exam.

The percentage change can be calculated to find out the profit or loss an item has made. Percentage change is calculated by dividing the difference between the two amounts by the original amount.