Assessment - GCSE Computers
3a - Forms of assessment
OCR's GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science consists of two compulsory components that are externally assessed.
J277/01: Computer systems
- This is a compulsory component. It is worth 80 marks, representing 50% of the total marks for the GCSE (9–1).
- This component is an externally assessed written examination testing AO1 and AO2.
- The examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.
- All the questions are mandatory.
- Students are not permitted to use a calculator in the examination.
- The question paper will consist of short and medium answer questions. There will also be one 8-mark extended response question. This question will enable students to demonstrate the ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning.
J277/02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
- This is a compulsory component. It is worth 80 marks, representing 50% of the total marks for the GCSE (9–1).
- This component is an externally assessed written examination testing AO1, AO2 and AO3.
- The examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is formed of two sections.
- All the questions are mandatory.
- Section A is worth 50 marks, and assesses students' knowledge and understanding of concepts of Computer Science. Students then apply these to problems in computational terms, where they may use an algorithmic approach.
- Section B is worth 30 marks, and assesses students' Practical Programming skills and their ability to design, write, test and refine programs.
- Students are not permitted to use a calculator in the examination.
- The question paper will consist of short and medium answer questions.
3b - Assessment of Practical Programming skills: Component 2
All programming code given in examination papers will be presented using the OCR Exam Reference Language.
3c - OCR Exam Reference Language
Examination questions will be written in OCR Exam Reference Language for clarity and consistency, apart from 'Design' and 'Write' questions in Component 2 Section B (please see Section 3b).
3d - Command words
The command words below will be used consistently in all assessment material and resources.
3e - Assessment Objectives
There are three Assessment Objectives (AOs) in OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science. These are detailed in the table below.
Students are expected to:
Assessment Objective Overview
| AO | Assessment Objective |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles of Computer Science. |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and principles of Computer Science. |
| AO3 | Analyse problems in computational terms: • to make reasoned judgements • to design, program, evaluate and refine solutions. |
Assessment Objective weightings in OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science
| Component | % of overall GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science (J277) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | AO2 | AO3 | |
| Computer systems (J277/01) | 21 | 29 | 0 |
| Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (J277/02) | 9 | 11 | 30 |
| Total (%) | 30% | 40% | 30% |
3f - Total qualification time
Total qualification time (TQT) is the total amount of time, in hours, expected to be spent by a learner to achieve a qualification. It includes both guided learning hours and hours spent in preparation, study, and assessment. The total qualification time for GCSE Computer Science is 140 hours. The total guided learning time is 120-140 hours.