iGCSE Computer Science (0984 & 0478)

These topic introductions cover each section of the updated (2020) CIE 9-1 & A*-E 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.

This course is supported by the paperback revision guide, iGCSE Computer Science Complete Visual Notes, available on Amazon to help students create a full set of revision notes in both visual and written form.

This covers the 2020 specification for both 0984 (9-1) & 0478 (A* – G).

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

Click on the links below to view the topic introduction pages for Data Representation:

Binary Number Systems

File Types

Study the Data Representation topic at your own pace with our online distance learning course for iGCSE Computer Science – Data Representation.

1.2 Communication & Internet Technologies

Data Transmission

Types of Network

Network Hardware

IP & MAC Addresses

Network Transmission Media

Security Aspects

Internet Principles of Operation

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

Software, Freeware and Shareware

Hacking, Cracking and Production of Malware

Paper 1 – Past Papers

New spec past papers will be listed once available.

CIE papers remain copyright to the exam board and are made frrely available on the CIE website after the exam session. Exam papers are provided here for the purposes of revision and exam preparation.

February 2019 (0478)

Question Paper | Mark Scheme

November 2018 (0478)

Region 1: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

Region 2: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

Region 3: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

May/June 2018 (0478)

Region 1: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

Region 2: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

Region 3: Exam Paper | Mark Scheme

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.

2.1 Algorithm Design & Problem Solving

Problem Solving & Design

Decomposing A Problem

2.2 Programming

Programming Concepts

Use of:

– Variables

– Constants

– Inputs, Outputs, & Assignment

Programming Constructs

– Sequence

– Selection

– Iteration

– String Manipulation

– File Handling Operations

– Use of Data Types

– Common Arithmetic Operators

– Common Logical Operators

– Common Boolean Operators

– Data Structures & Arrays

– Types of Programming Error

– High Level Languages

– Types of Translator

Use of Subroutines (extension)

Procedures

Functions

2.3 Databases

Introduction To Databases

Single Table Databases (flat files)

Data Types

Primary Keys

Query by Example from Search Criteria

Study the Databases topic at your own pace with our online distance learning course for iGCSE Computer Science – Databases.

The Programming Tasks

iGCSE programming tasks should be undertaken in good time for the paper 2 exam. It is useful to complete at least one set of practice tasks as part of your revision.

If you would like help in completing a practice task, take our online November 2018 – Practice Tasks Course

Paper 2 – Past Papers

The past papers below are shown for the 0984 & 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.