Cambridge GCSE Computer Science revision

Topic 1: Data representation

There are 6 parts: we start with binary, hexadecimal and units, and finish with compression in practice.

1. 1.1Binary, hexadecimal and unitsFree 70 questions
2. 1.2Binary addition and binary shiftsFree 69 questions
3. 1.3Representing negative numbers: sign and magnitude, two's complement61 questions
4. 1.4Text, images, sound and compression72 questions
5. 1.5Calculating file sizes for text, images and sound, and converting units66 questions
6. 1.6Compression in practice: run-length encoding and Huffman coding68 questions

Topic 2: Data transmission

We will go through it step by step.

1. 2.1Data transmission: packets, serial and parallel, USB and error detection69 questions

Topic 3: Hardware

There are 8 parts: we start with hardware, the CPU and memory, and finish with IP and MAC addresses, DNS and packet switching.

1. 3.1Hardware, the CPU and memoryFree 44 questions
2. 3.2Von Neumann architecture and the fetch-decode-execute cycle with registersFree 29 questions
3. 3.3Factors affecting CPU performance: clock speed, cores and cache31 questions
4. 3.4Embedded systems and input/output devicesFree 27 questions
5. 3.5Primary memory: RAM, ROM and virtual memory41 questions
6. 3.6Secondary storage: magnetic, optical and solid state, and choosing storage74 questions
7. 3.7Network hardware and transmission media: wired, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth69 questions
8. 3.8IP and MAC addresses, DNS and packet switching37 questions

Topic 4: Software

There are 3 parts: we start with software, translators and logic, and finish with programming languages and IDE tools (editors, error diagnostics, debuggers, run-time environment).

1. 4.1Software, translators and logic28 questions
2. 4.2Operating systems and utility software33 questions
3. 4.3Programming languages and IDE tools (editors, error diagnostics, debuggers, run-time environment)32 questions

Topic 5: The internet and its uses

There are 6 parts: we start with protocols and the TCP/IP layers, and finish with firewalls, anti-malware, access levels and penetration testing.

1. 5.1Protocols and the TCP/IP layers: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, IMAP, POP34 questions
2. 5.2Cyber security26 questions
3. 5.3Social engineering: phishing, pharming, blagging and shoulderingFree 37 questions
4. 5.4Malware and network attacks: brute force, denial of service, SQL injection, data interception79 questions
5. 5.5Protecting systems: strong passwords, biometrics, two-factor authentication and encryption29 questions
6. 5.6Firewalls, anti-malware, access levels and penetration testing39 questions

Topic 6: Automated and emerging technologies

We will go through it step by step.

1. 6.1Automated systems, robotics and artificial intelligence20 questions

Topic 7: Algorithm design and problem-solving

There are 7 parts: we start with computational thinking and algorithms, and finish with syntax, logic and runtime errors, and designing test plans (normal, boundary, invalid, erroneous data).

1. 7.1Computational thinking and algorithmsFree 31 questions
2. 7.2Writing algorithms in pseudocode and flowcharts (exam reference languages)Free 20 questions
3. 7.3Trace tables, dry-running and finding errors in algorithms26 questions
4. 7.4Searching algorithms: linear and binary search62 questions
5. 7.5Sorting algorithms: bubble, insertion and merge sort31 questions
6. 7.6Defensive design: input validation, sanitisation, authentication and maintainable code33 questions
7. 7.7Syntax, logic and runtime errors, and designing test plans (normal, boundary, invalid, erroneous data)35 questions

Topic 8: Programming

There are 7 parts: we start with programming fundamentals, and finish with implementing searching and sorting algorithms in code.

1. 8.1Programming fundamentals27 questions
2. 8.2Arrays (1D and 2D) and recordsFree 26 questions
3. 8.3String manipulation, random numbers and file handling27 questions
4. 8.4Subroutines: functions, procedures, parameters and local/global scope26 questions
5. 8.5Translating a specification into a working programFree 31 questions
6. 8.6Debugging and tracing unfamiliar programs30 questions
7. 8.7Implementing searching and sorting algorithms in code25 questions

Topic 9: Databases

There are 3 parts: we start with relational databases and SQL, and finish with SQL queries.

1. 9.1Relational databases and SQLFree 13 questions
2. 9.2Tables, fields, records, primary and foreign keys, and entity relationshipsFree 28 questions
3. 9.3SQL queries: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY and wildcards21 questions

Topic 10: Boolean logic

We will go through it step by step.

1. 10.1Boolean logic: AND, OR, NOT, XOR gates, truth tables, logic diagrams and expressions58 questions

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