2210 - Learner - Guide - (For - Examination - From - 2023) Computer Science
2210 - Learner - Guide - (For - Examination - From - 2023) Computer Science
2210 - Learner - Guide - (For - Examination - From - 2023) Computer Science
Learner Guide
TM
Cambridge IGCSE / Cambridge IGCSE (9–1)
Computer Science 0478 / 0984
Cambridge O Level
Computer Science 2210
For examination from 2023
Version 1
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9 revise, by providing revision tips and an interactive revision checklist (Section 5).
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Learner Guide
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Learner Guide
Components at a glance
This table summarises the key information about each examination paper. You can nd details and advice on how to approach
each component in the ‘About each paper’ sub-section.
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Learner Guide
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Assessment objectives (AO) What does the AO mean? What do you need to be able to do?
AO1 This means you will be need You will need to know the denitions of the terms that
to remember denitions and are in the syllabus.
Demonstrate knowledge
descriptions. These will be
and understanding of the You will need to be able to give descriptions of what
generic, i.e. they will not be
principles and concepts of something means, or what something is.
around a context. You could
computer science.
be asked to dene a term, You will need to explain how or why something
and describe or explain what happens, or does not happen.
something means. These will all be based around the content that you
will have learnt without needing to think about how it
could be used in a new way or context.
AO2 This means you will need to use You will need to consider what you know, and use this
your knowledge in a specic in the context given. For example, if the question is
Apply knowledge and
context. You have to apply what about a student needing to store some documents,
understanding of the
you have learnt. you need to relate every point you make back to this
principles and concepts
student, and why your choices, or points, are relevant
of computer science to a
to them.
given context, including
the analysis and design You will need to use your computational thinking and
of computational or programming knowledge to solve problems. This could
programming problems. be that you are given a owchart, or program, that you
have not seen before. You could be asked questions
about that algorithm, and you will need to use what
you know and consider it in this example.
AO3 This means you will need to You will need to look at a context and decide what
decide why one decision is more is most appropriate for it. For example, is it more
Provide solutions to
appropriate than another and appropriate to use lossy compression for an image
problems by:
explain why. instead of lossless. Then, you need to defend your
• evaluating computer choice, by explaining why it is the best decision. You
systems will need to do this by referring every point to the
• making reasoned context, so you are not giving generic denitions or
judgements descriptions.
• presenting conclusions.
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All information and advice in this section is specic to the example question and response/
mode answer being demonstrated. It should give you an idea of how your responses might
be viewed by an examiner but it is not a list of what to do in all questions. In your own
examination, you will need to pay careful attention to what each question is asking you to do.
Question
Command words have been highlighted and their
meaning explained. This will help you to understand
clearly what is required. For more information go to www.
cambridgeinternational.org/exam-administration/what-to-
expect-on-exams-day/command-words/
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Learner Guide
Section 5: Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice for all papers and more
specic advice for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.
General advice
Before the examination
Find out when the examinations are and plan your revision so you have time to revise. Create a revision timetable and
divide it into sections to cover each topic.
Find out how long each paper is, how many questions you have to answer, how many marks there are for each question,
and work out how long you have for each question.
Know the meaning of the command words used in questions and how to apply them to the information given. Look at
past examination papers and highlight the command words and check what they mean.
Make revision notes. Try different styles of notes.
Work for short periods then have a break. Revise small sections of the syllabus at a time.
Test yourself by writing out key points, redrawing diagrams, creating key cards with the words on one side and denitions
and/or examples on the back, etc.
Make sure you practise writing selection and iteration constructs. This should include converting between, for example,
two different types of loop. You can practise these with pseudocode, or use your chosen programming language to test
them and make sure they work.
Denitions must not reuse the words to be dened. E.g. selection means selecting which code to run. Instead it
determines which code to run based on a condition.
Make your own dictionary or draw up a glossary of key terms for each section of the syllabus.
Look at the programs you have written during lessons and walk through what each line of code does, then working out
what the whole program does. This can be tested by running the program and seeing if you are correct.
Take the descriptions for programs you have written during lessons, and create the programs again without looking at the
previous solutions. Test your programs and amend them until they meet the requirements.
Learn to spell computer science terms correctly.
Have a look at past questions so that you are clear of what to expect in an examination.
Look at mark schemes to help you to understand how the marks are awarded for each question.
In the examination
Read the instructions carefully.
Plan your time according to the marks for each question. For example, a question worth three marks requires less time
and a shorter answer than one worth 10 marks. If a question has several parts, then the parts with more marks will need
more time and more developed answers.
Do not leave out questions or parts of questions. Remember, no answer means no mark.
Read each question very carefully.
• Identify the command words – you could underline or highlight them.
• Identify the other key words and perhaps underline them too.
• Try to put the question into your own words to understand what it is really asking.
Read all parts of a question before starting your answer. Think carefully about what is needed for each part.
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Paper 1 advice
Check the command word that is used, for example describe requires more than a statement. Explain requires more detail
as to why something happens, or why you have selected the answer you have.
Check whether tick box questions require one, or possibly more ticks per row. If it is one tick per row then make sure you
don't put two. If there could be more check each possibility, it is very likely that at least one of the rows requires two or
more ticks.
If a question gives a context, and the wording of the command refers back to this context, then make sure you use it in
your answer. Don't just give a generic answer, use the context in each point you make.
If a question asks for differences between two or more items, then make sure you give all sides. For example just stating
that parallel transmission has multiple wires is not enough without also stating that serial has just one wire.
When converting numbers between different types (e.g. binary, denary, hexadecimal), always check your answers by
working it the reverse. For example, if converting binary to denary, convert your denary answer back to binary and make
sure that they both match.
Paper 2 advice
When drawing logic gate diagrams repeat the process backwards to make sure your answer is correct. For example draw
the diagram for the statement, then write the statement or your diagram and check that they match.
Make sure you have answered the algorithm questions in the way they want the answer. If the question asks for a
owchart, make sure you draw a owchart. If a question asks for a description, then only drawing a owchart or writing
code will not be acceptable.
Split your time appropriately between the scenario question at the end of the paper and the rest of the questions. You
should spend approximately 30 minutes on the scenario question. Do not got too much over this otherwise you may not
have enough time for the rest of the exam paper.
If you get stuck on an algorithm, don't spend a long time trying to x it. Move on and you can always come back later
after you've answered the other questions, in that time away you might be able to look at it afresh.
Test run any algorithms you write. Use some sample data and work through each line of your algorithm to make sure it
works. If it doesn't, then you should be able to nd out where the problem is.
Check your spelling and case (lower or upper) especially with any database questions, e.g. queries. Spelling and case
must be exact, if in the database table it is called HOUSE, then writing house is inaccurate. After you have answered each
question check the words you have used against those in the question.
If a question asks for an example, make sure you give one as there will be at least 1 mark available for this.
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Learner Guide
Revision checklists
In the next part of this guide we have provided some revision checklists. These include information from the syllabus that you should revise. They don’t contain all the detailed knowledge
you need to know, just an overview. For more detail see the syllabus and talk to your teacher.
The table headings are explained below:
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1 Data representation
Topic You should be able to R A G Comments
1.1 Number systems
1 Understand how and why computers use binary to represent all forms of data
2 Calculate the le size of an image le and a sound le, using information given
4 Understand how les are compressed using lossy and lossless compression
methods
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2 Data transmission
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission
1 a. Understand that data is broken down into packets to be transmitted
b. Describe the structure of a packet
c. Describe the process of packet switching
2 a. Describe how data is transmitted from one device to another using different
methods of data transmission
b. Explain the suitability of each method of data transmission, for a given
scenario
2.2 Methods of error detection
1 Understand the need to check for errors after data transmission and how these
errors can occur
2 Describe the processes involved in each of the following error detection methods
for detecting errors in data after transmission: parity check (odd and even),
checksum and echo check
3 Describe how a check digit is used to detect errors in data entry and identify
examples of when a check digit is used, including international standard book
numbers (ISBN) and bar codes
4 Describe how an automatic repeat query (ARQ) can be used to establish that
data is received without error
2.3 Encryption
1 Understand the need for and purpose of encryption when transmitting data
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3 Hardware
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
3.1 Computer architecture
1 a. Understand the role of the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer
b. Understand what is meant by a microprocessor
2 a. Understand the purpose of the components in a CPU, in a computer that has
a Von Neumann architecture
b. Describe the process of the fetch–decode–execute cycle including the role of
each component in the process
3 Understand what is meant by a core, cache and clock in a CPU and explain how
they can affect the performance of a CPU
4 Understand the purpose and use of an instruction set for a CPU
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4 Software
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
4.1 Types of software and interrupts
1 Describe the difference between system software and application software and
provide examples of each
2 Describe the role and basic functions of an operating system
4.2 Types of programming language, translators and integrated development environments (IDEs)
1 Explain what is meant by a high-level language and a low-level language,
including the advantages and disadvantages of each
2 Understand that assembly language is a form of low-level language that uses
mnemonics, and that an assembler is needed to translate an assembly language
program into machine code
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5 Explain the role of an IDE in writing program code and the common functions
IDEs provide
3 Describe the purpose and operation of hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and
hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)
4 Explain the purpose and functions of a web browser
5 Describe how web pages are located, retrieved and displayed on a device when a
user enters a URL
6 Explain what is meant by cookies and how they are used, including session
cookies and persistent cookies
5.2 Digital currency
1 Understand the concept of a digital currency and how digital currencies are used
2 Understand the process of blockchain and how it is used to track digital currency
transactions
5.3 Cyber security
1 Describe the processes involved in, and the aim of carrying out, a range of cyber
security threats
2 Explain how a range of solutions are used to help keep data safe from security
threats
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3 Understand the roles that robots can perform and describe the advantages and
disadvantages of their use
6.3 Articial intelligence
1 Understand what is meant by articial intelligence (AI)
2 Describe the main characteristics of AI as the collection of data and the rules
for using that data, the ability to reason, and can include the ability to learn and
adapt
3 Explain the basic operation and components of AI systems to simulate
intelligent behaviour
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5 a. Understand the need for validation checks to be made on input data and the
different types of validation check
b. Understand the need for verication checks to be made on input data and
the different types of verication check
6 Suggest and apply suitable test data
8 Identify errors in given algorithms and suggest ways of correcting these errors
9 Write and amend algorithms for given problems or scenarios, using: pseudocode,
program code and owcharts
8 Programming
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
8.1 Programming concepts
1 Declare and use variables and constants
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8.2 Arrays
1 Declare and use one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) arrays
3 Write values into and read values from an array using iteration
9 Databases
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
9 Databases
1 Dene a single-table database from given data storage requirements
3 Understand the purpose of a primary key and identify a suitable primary key for
a given database table
4 Read, understand and complete structured query language (SQL) scripts to
query data stored in a single database table
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10 Boolean logic
Topic You should know and understand R A G Comments
10 Boolean logic
1 Identify and use the standard symbols for logic gates
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Learner Guide
These resources have not been through the Cambridge quality assurance process but have been found suitable for use with
various parts of the syllabus. This list includes website links providing direct access to internet resources. Cambridge is not
responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these resources. The inclusion of a link to an external
website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or the site's owners (or their products/services).
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty
Includes several theory and programming aspects relevant to this syllabus with quizzes.
www.khanacademy.org/
Website allows learners to sign up and practise their programming techniques independently, particularly useful for Paper 2.
www.101computing.net/LMC/
Simulation of a processor including the different registers. Learners can enter pre-written programs and watch how and when
the values changes.
www.computerscience.gcse.guru
Website with theory and quizzes, written for a range of syllabuses so not all is relevant.
You can nd a resource list, including endorsed resources to support Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science on our
public website [IGCSE] [O Level]
Endorsed resources have been written to be closely aligned to the syllabus they support, and have been through a detailed
quality assurance process. All textbooks endorsed by Cambridge International for this syllabus are the ideal resource to be
used alongside this Learner Guide.
In addition to reading the syllabus, you should refer to the past and specimen papers.
26 Cambridge IGCSE / Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) / O Level Computer Science 0478 / 0984 / 2210
Cambridge Assessment International Education
The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8EA, United Kingdom
t: +44 1223 553554
e: info@cambridgeinternational.org www.cambridgeinternational.org