How are the practical programming components (Unit 2 and Unit 3) assessed, and what do they require?
An overview of the practical assessment: Unit 2 (the on-screen computational thinking and programming examination) and Unit 3 (the non-exam software development project).
A concise overview of the practical assessment in WJEC GCSE Computer Science, covering Unit 2 (the on-screen computational thinking and programming examination) and Unit 3 (the non-exam software development project), how each is assessed, and how the Unit 1 theory underpins both.
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What this topic is asking
This page gives a concise overview of the practical assessment in WJEC GCSE Computer Science: Unit 2 (the on-screen computational thinking and programming examination) and Unit 3 (the non-exam software development project). The heavy practical work is assessed in these units, while Unit 1 assesses the theory; understanding how they fit together helps you see why the Unit 1 algorithms and programming content matters.
How the qualification fits together
Unit 2: on-screen programming
Unit 3: the software development project
Try this
Q1. State how Unit 2 is assessed. [1 mark]
- Cue. As an on-screen examination in which you write, test and refine programs and algorithms.
Q2. State what kind of assessment Unit 3 is. [1 mark]
- Cue. A non-exam assessment (a software development project completed over set hours).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC-style overview3 marksDescribe how Unit 2 of WJEC GCSE Computer Science is assessed and how it differs from Unit 1.Show worked answer →
An overview question. Unit 2 (Computational Thinking and Programming) is an on-screen examination in which candidates write, test and refine programs and algorithms at a computer (1 mark for on-screen/practical programming). Unlike Unit 1, where the content is assessed in a theoretical way through a written paper, Unit 2 assesses the same kinds of ideas through their practical use in solving programming problems (1 mark for theory versus practical application). Unit 2 is worth a substantial share of the qualification and tests applying computational thinking, the programming constructs and algorithms in real code (1 mark). Markers reward the on-screen practical nature and the contrast with the theory paper. A common error is to describe Unit 2 as another written theory exam.
WJEC-style overview3 marksState what Unit 3 (the non-exam assessment) requires and how the software development life cycle applies to it.Show worked answer →
An overview question. Unit 3 is a non-exam assessment (NEA): a software development project completed over a set number of hours, in which candidates design, write, test and evaluate a solution to a given task (1 mark for a developed programming project). The software development life cycle applies directly: candidates carry out analysis and design, then development, then testing (using a test plan with normal, boundary and erroneous data) and finally evaluation of how well the solution meets the requirements (1 mark for applying the stages). It rewards a clear, documented, working solution rather than just code (1 mark). Markers reward the project nature and the use of the life cycle stages. A common error is to treat Unit 3 as an exam rather than coursework-style development.
Related dot points
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