OCR GCSE Computer Science revision

Topic 1.1: Systems architecture

There are 4 parts: we start with hardware, the CPU and memory, and finish with embedded systems and input/output devices.

1. 1.1.1Hardware, the CPU and memoryFree 44 questions
2. 1.1.2Von Neumann architecture and the fetch-decode-execute cycle with registersFree 29 questions
3. 1.1.3Factors affecting CPU performance: clock speed, cores and cache31 questions
4. 1.1.4Embedded systems and input/output devicesFree 27 questions

Topic 1.2: Memory and storage

There are 6 parts: we start with primary memory, and finish with calculating file sizes for text, images and sound, and converting units.

1. 1.2.1Primary memory: RAM, ROM and virtual memory41 questions
2. 1.2.2Secondary storage: magnetic, optical and solid state, and choosing storage74 questions
3. 1.2.3Binary, hexadecimal and unitsFree 70 questions
4. 1.2.4Binary addition and binary shiftsFree 69 questions
5. 1.2.5Text, images, sound and compression72 questions
6. 1.2.6Calculating file sizes for text, images and sound, and converting units66 questions

Topic 1.3: Computer networks, connections and protocols

There are 6 parts: we start with networks and protocols, and finish with protocols and the TCP/IP layers.

1. 1.3.1Networks and protocolsFree 65 questions
2. 1.3.2Network types (LAN, WAN, PAN) and topologies (star, bus, mesh)Free 65 questions
3. 1.3.3Client-server, peer-to-peer, the cloud and virtual networks82 questions
4. 1.3.4Network hardware and transmission media: wired, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth69 questions
5. 1.3.5IP and MAC addresses, DNS and packet switching37 questions
6. 1.3.6Protocols and the TCP/IP layers: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, IMAP, POP34 questions

Topic 1.4: Network security

There are 5 parts: we start with cyber security, and finish with protecting systems.

1. 1.4.1Cyber security26 questions
2. 1.4.2Social engineering: phishing, pharming, blagging and shoulderingFree 37 questions
3. 1.4.3Malware and network attacks: brute force, denial of service, SQL injection, data interception79 questions
4. 1.4.4Firewalls, anti-malware, access levels and penetration testing39 questions
5. 1.4.5Protecting systems: strong passwords, biometrics, two-factor authentication and encryption29 questions

Topic 1.5: Systems software

We will go through it step by step.

1. 1.5.1Operating systems and utility software33 questions

Topic 1.6: Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts

There are 5 parts: we start with ethical, legal and environmental impacts, and finish with software licensing.

1. 1.6.1Ethical, legal and environmental impacts16 questions
2. 1.6.2Case studies: privacy and surveillance, AI and bias, autonomous vehicles, the digital divide39 questions
3. 1.6.3Environmental impacts: energy use, e-waste and sustainable technology32 questions
4. 1.6.4UK legislation: Data Protection Act 2018, Computer Misuse Act 1990, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 198830 questions
5. 1.6.5Software licensing: open source and proprietary33 questions

Topic 2.1: Algorithms

There are 5 parts: we start with computational thinking and algorithms, and finish with sorting algorithms.

1. 2.1.1Computational thinking and algorithmsFree 31 questions
2. 2.1.2Writing algorithms in pseudocode and flowcharts (exam reference languages)Free 20 questions
3. 2.1.3Trace tables, dry-running and finding errors in algorithms26 questions
4. 2.1.4Searching algorithms: linear and binary search62 questions
5. 2.1.5Sorting algorithms: bubble, insertion and merge sort31 questions

Topic 2.2: Programming fundamentals

There are 6 parts: we start with programming fundamentals, and finish with SQL queries.

1. 2.2.1Programming fundamentals27 questions
2. 2.2.2Arrays (1D and 2D) and recordsFree 26 questions
3. 2.2.3String manipulation, random numbers and file handling27 questions
4. 2.2.4Subroutines: functions, procedures, parameters and local/global scope26 questions
5. 2.2.5Relational databases and SQLFree 13 questions
6. 2.2.6SQL queries: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY and wildcards21 questions

Topic 2.3: Producing robust programs

There are 2 parts: we start with defensive design, and finish with syntax, logic and runtime errors, and designing test plans (normal, boundary, invalid, erroneous data).

1. 2.3.1Defensive design: input validation, sanitisation, authentication and maintainable code33 questions
2. 2.3.2Syntax, logic and runtime errors, and designing test plans (normal, boundary, invalid, erroneous data)35 questions

Topic 2.4: Boolean logic

We will go through it step by step.

1. 2.4.1Boolean logic: AND, OR, NOT, XOR gates, truth tables, logic diagrams and expressions58 questions

Topic 2.5: Programming languages and IDEs

There are 2 parts: we start with software, translators and logic, and finish with programming languages and IDE tools (editors, error diagnostics, debuggers, run-time environment).

1. 2.5.1Software, translators and logic28 questions
2. 2.5.2Programming languages and IDE tools (editors, error diagnostics, debuggers, run-time environment)32 questions

Topic P: Practical programming and exam skills

Practical programming and exam skills is about writing, testing and improving real programs, and answering exam questions well.

We will turn a specification into working code, and debug and trace unfamiliar programs.

Then we implement searching and sorting algorithms, and practise evaluating solutions and writing extended answers.

1. P.1Translating a specification into a working programFree 31 questions
2. P.2Debugging and tracing unfamiliar programs30 questions
3. P.3Implementing searching and sorting algorithms in code25 questions
4. P.4Evaluating solutions and exam technique for code and extended-response questions17 questions

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