iGCSE Computer Science (0984)

These topic introductions cover each section of the updated CIE 9-1 iGCSE Computer Science course from CIE including links to past papers. This course is not endorsed by CIE. Please refer to the exam board specification to ensure that the full range of topics has been covered.

To access the course material, please click on the link to each section.

For the older A*-G syllabus, click here.

Paper 1 – Theory of Computer Science

The Computer systems exam covers the non-programming theory topics. This is a 1 hour 45 minutes written paper that includes multiple choice, short answer, and longer answer questions.

1.1 Data Representation

1.2 Communication & Internet Technologies

1.3 Hardware & Software

Logic Gates
Computer Architectures & The Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle
Common components of the CPU
Input Devices
Output Devices
Memory, Storage Devices, & Media
Main Memory (RAM & ROM)
Virtual Memory
Storage Devices
Operating Systems
High & Low Level Languages & Their Translators

1.4 Security

Data Loss
Keeping Data Safe
Security Threats
Methods of Preventing Security Threats

1.5 Ethics

Copyright Issues and Plagiarism
Software, Freeware and Shareware
Hacking, Cracking and Production of Malware

Paper 1 – Past Papers

Download old spec iGCSE Past Papers & Mark Schemes here

New spec past papers will be listed once available

Paper 2 – Practical Problem Solving & Programming

The Computational Thinking exam covers the programming theory topics. A set of programming tasks will be set covering the first section of the exam.

Whilst you are not required to actually program these in the exam, nor submit your code, you are required to answer questions about them and write reflective algorithms for o of the tasks.

This is a 1 hour 45 minutes written paper that includes multiple choice, short answer, and longer answer questions including written code questions.

Access the Old Spec 2018 Paper 2 Tasks Course Here

2.1 Algorithm Design & Problem Solving

2.2 Programming

Programming Concepts
- Use of:
  - Variables
  - Constants
  - Inputs, Outputs, & Assignment
- Programming Constructs
  - Sequence
  - Selection
  - Iteration
- String Manipulation
- File Handling Operations
- Use of Subroutines
  - Procedures
  - Functions
- Use of Data Types
- Common Arithmetic Operators
- Common Logical Operators
- Common Boolean Operators
- Data Structures & Arrays

2.3 Databases

Introduction To Databases
Single Table Databases (flat files)
Data Types
Primary Keys
Query by Example from Search Criteria

Paper 2 – Past Papers

The past papers below are shown for the 2210 & 0478 specifications. There is no difference between the 0478 and 0984 syllabus at present, aside from the grade boundaries.

0478 is graded at A* – G, whilst 0984 uses the UK grading of 9 – 1.