Computer Science study guides

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.1 Fundamentals of algorithms. Covers computational thinking (abstraction, decomposition and algorithmic thinking), representing algorithms with flowcharts and pseudocode, the linear and binary search algorithms, and the bubble and merge sort algorithms, with the tracing and comparison skills the exam rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.2 Programming. Covers data types and variables, the three constructs, arithmetic and Boolean operators, arrays and records, subroutines and scope, string handling, file handling and the principles of structured programming, with the coding skills Paper 1 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.3 Fundamentals of data representation. Covers number bases and binary-denary conversion, binary arithmetic and shifts, hexadecimal, units of information and file-size calculations, character encoding, image and sound representation and compression, with the number work Paper 2 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.4 Computer systems. Covers hardware and software, Boolean logic and logic gates, the CPU and fetch-execute cycle, memory (RAM, ROM, cache, virtual memory), secondary storage and system software, with the definitions and comparisons Paper 2 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.5 Fundamentals of computer networks. Covers networks and topologies (LAN, WAN, star and bus), wired and wireless connectivity and encryption, network protocols and the four-layer TCP/IP model, and the methods used to keep a network secure, with the definitions Paper 2 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.6 Cyber security. Covers cyber threats (vulnerabilities, brute-force and denial-of-service), social engineering (phishing, shouldering, pretexting), malware (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware) and the methods used to detect and prevent attacks, with the definitions Paper 2 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.7 Relational databases and SQL. Covers database concepts (tables, records, fields, primary and foreign keys) and writing SQL queries with SELECT, FROM, WHERE and ORDER BY, plus INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE, with the query-writing skills Paper 2 rewards.

A deep-dive AQA GCSE Computer Science guide to area 3.8 Ethical, legal and environmental impacts. Covers the ethical, legal and cultural issues raised by digital technology and stakeholders, privacy and the key UK legislation (Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act and copyright), and the environmental impact of technology, with the balanced-discussion skills Paper 2 rewards.