AQA A-Level Computer Science
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course 7517
Course version · 7517Version from Sept 2017Change version
Choose the version your school teaches. Your teacher can confirm which one, including for resits.
Explore your topics
162 study areas
Programming2 topics
- Data types14 objectives
- Programming concepts12 objectives
- Arithmetic operations in a programming language9 objectives
- Boolean operations in a programming language3 objectives
- Constants and variables in a programming language2 objectives
- String-handling operations in a programming language15 objectives
- Random number generation in a programming language1 objective
- Exception handling2 objectives
- Subroutines (procedures/functions)3 objectives
- Parameters of subroutines1 objective
- Returning a value/values from a subroutine1 objective
- Local variables in subroutines4 objectives
12 of 18 shown
Data structures8 topics
Data structures and abstract data types
Data structures3 objectives- Single- and multi-dimensional arrays (or equivalent)4 objectives
- Fields, records and files2 objectives
- Abstract data types/data structures15 objectives
- Queues5 objectives
- Stacks7 objectives
- Graphs11 objectives
Trees
Trees (including binary trees)8 objectives- Hash tables5 objectives
- Dictionaries6 objectives
- Vectors32 objectives
Algorithms6 topics
Graph-traversal algorithms
Simple graph-traversal algorithms3 objectivesTree-traversal algorithms
Simple tree-traversal algorithms8 objectivesReverse Polish notation
Reverse Polish – infix transformations5 objectivesSearching algorithms
Linear search2 objectives- Binary search2 objectives
- Binary tree search2 objectives
Sorting algorithms
Bubble sort2 objectives- Merge sort2 objectives
Optimisation algorithms
Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm4 objectives
Theory of computation5 topics
Abstraction and automation
Problem-solving2 objectives- Following and writing algorithms10 objectives
- Abstraction3 objectives
- Information hiding1 objective
- Procedural abstraction2 objectives
- Functional abstraction4 objectives
- Data abstraction3 objectives
- Problem abstraction/reduction1 objective
- Decomposition1 objective
- Composition2 objectives
- Automation10 objectives
Regular languages
Finite state machines (FSMs) with and without output1 objective
12 of 24 shown
Data representation6 topics
Number systems
Natural numbers2 objectives- Integer numbers2 objectives
- Rational numbers3 objectives
- Irrational numbers2 objectives
- Real numbers2 objectives
- Ordinal numbers3 objectives
- Counting and measurement3 objectives
Number bases
Number base7 objectivesUnits of information
Bits and bytes5 objectives- Units3 objectives
Binary arithmetic
Unsigned binary3 objectives- Unsigned binary arithmetic3 objectives
12 of 32 shown
Computer systems5 topics
Hardware and software
Relationship between hardware and software3 objectives- Classification of software4 objectives
- System software5 objectives
- Role of an operating system (OS)2 objectives
- Classification of programming languages8 objectives
- Types of program translator8 objectives
- Logic gates15 objectives
Boolean algebra
Using Boolean algebra1 objective
Computer organisation and architecture4 topics
- Internal hardware components of a computer15 objectives
The stored program concept
The meaning of the stored program concept1 objectiveStructure and role of the processor and its components
The processor and its components10 objectives- The Fetch-Execute cycle and the role of registers within it1 objective
- The processor instruction set6 objectives
- Addressing modes4 objectives
- Machine-code/assembly language operations13 objectives
- Interrupts1 objective
- Factors affecting processor performance7 objectives
External hardware devices
Input and output devices6 objectives- Secondary storage devices10 objectives
Consequences of uses of computing1 topic
Communication and networking4 topics
- Communication methods3 objectives
- Communication basics10 objectives
- Network topology6 objectives
- Types of networking between hosts6 objectives
- Wireless networking11 objectives
Wireless networking and the Internet
The Internet and how it works13 objectives- Internet security6 objectives
TCP/IP and network security
TCP/IP4 objectives- Standard application layer protocols14 objectives
- IP address structure1 objective
- Subnet masking1 objective
- Public and private IP addresses1 objective
12 of 17 shown
Databases5 topics
Big Data1 topic
Functional programming3 topics
Systematic approach to problem solving1 topic
Course topics13 topics
- Consequences of uses of computing
- Fundamentals of algorithms
- Fundamentals of communication and networking
- Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
- Fundamentals of computer systems
- Fundamentals of data representation
- Fundamentals of data structures
- Fundamentals of databases
- Fundamentals of functional programming
- Fundamentals of programming
- Non-exam assessment - the computing practical project
- Systematic approach to problem solving
12 of 13 shown
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
A*/Grade 9
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
AQA
State
1 mark
Give a single fact or term
Identify
1 mark
Name, select, or recognise
Outline
2 marks
Set out main features briefly
Describe
2-4 marks
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Explain
3-6 marks
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
Compare
2-4 marks
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Analyse
6-9 marks
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Evaluate
6-12 marks
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Assess
6-12 marks
Make judgments about importance with justification
Calculate
2-4 marks
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Confusing Big Data with simply having a large database.
- •Failing to explain the significance of the lack of structure in Big Data.
- •Assuming relational databases can scale indefinitely across multiple machines.
- •Failing to link technical developments to specific moral or social consequences
- •Providing generic answers that do not address the 'digital age' context
- •Ignoring the responsibility of the software engineer in the development process
- •Overlooking the legal challenges posed by the scale of global software deployment
- •Confusing the order of traversal in tree algorithms (e.g., pre-order vs post-order)
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Ensure you can clearly define and distinguish between volume, velocity, and variety.
- •Be prepared to explain why functional programming is particularly suited to distributed processing tasks.
- •Focus on the challenges posed by unstructured data rather than just the size of the data.
- •Use case studies to illustrate the impact of computing on society
- •Use hypothetical scenarios to explore ethical dilemmas
- •Ensure arguments are balanced, considering both the benefits and the risks of a technology
- •Relate answers to the power and responsibility of the developer
- •Practice tracing algorithms manually on paper to ensure accuracy
Ready for a little practice?
Create your account to start practising Computer Science.
Start free
7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge