What does AQA 3.7 Relational databases and SQL cover?

It covers the structure of a relational database (tables, records, fields, primary keys and foreign keys) and how to write SQL to work with it. You must be able to retrieve data with SELECT, FROM, WHERE and ORDER BY, and change data with INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE. It is examined in Paper 2 and rewards accurate, well-formed queries.

What is the difference between a primary key and a foreign key?

A primary key is a field that uniquely identifies each record in its own table, so no two records share the same value, such as a student ID. A foreign key is a field in one table that holds the primary key of another table, which is how two related tables are linked together.

What do the main SQL keywords do?

SELECT chooses which fields to retrieve, FROM names the table, WHERE filters which records by a condition, and ORDER BY sorts the results. INSERT adds a new record, UPDATE changes existing records that meet a condition, and DELETE removes records that meet a condition. SELECT star retrieves every field.

Why is data organised into related tables?

Splitting data across related tables linked by keys avoids storing the same data many times, which is called data redundancy. This saves storage space and keeps the data consistent, because each fact is stored once and updated in a single place rather than in many copies.

How should I revise databases and SQL for Paper 2?

Learn the database terms precisely (table, record, field, primary key, foreign key) and practise writing SQL queries by hand. Drill SELECT with WHERE and ORDER BY conditions, and the INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements, remembering that UPDATE and DELETE need a WHERE clause and that text values need quotation marks.

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AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.7 Relational databases and SQL: tables, keys and writing queries

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.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.812 min read3.7Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What area 3.7 actually demands
Database concepts
Writing SQL
Check your knowledge

What area 3.7 actually demands

Relational databases and SQL is a small but practical area examined in Paper 2. You must understand how a relational database is structured and be able to write SQL queries to read and change data. The marks reward correct, well-formed queries and precise use of the database terms, so the area rewards practice rather than memorising prose.

This guide ties together the two dot-point pages for the area.

Database concepts

A relational database stores data in tables. Each table holds records (rows, one per item) and fields (columns, one per attribute). A primary key is a field that uniquely identifies each record, and a foreign key is a field in one table that holds the primary key of another table, linking the two. Organising data into related tables avoids redundancy (storing the same data many times) and keeps it consistent.

Writing SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the language used to work with the database. A retrieval query uses SELECT (which fields), FROM (which table), WHERE (an optional condition to filter records) and ORDER BY (to sort the results). To change data you use INSERT (add a record), UPDATE (change existing records) and DELETE (remove records). Remember that UPDATE and DELETE need a WHERE clause, or they affect every record, and that text values need quotation marks.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and query-writing questions covering area 3.7. Attempt them, then check against the solutions.

State the difference between a record and a field. (2 marks)
State what a primary key is. (2 marks)
Explain how a foreign key links two tables. (2 marks)
State one reason data is split across related tables. (1 mark)
Name the SQL keyword used to sort query results. (1 mark)
Write an SQL query to return all fields of every record in a table called Books. (2 marks)
Write an SQL query to return the title of every book published after 2000. (3 marks)
State what the UPDATE statement does and why it usually needs a WHERE clause. (2 marks)

Sources & how we know this

AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525) specification — AQA (2020)