iGCSE Computer Science Paper 2
Revision Notes & Exam Techniques
, iGCSE Computer Science Revision Notes
Paper 2
Exam Technique
Know what the examiners can ask you questions about
Have a look at the IGCSE Computer Science syllabus that you have been studying and are going to be taking
the exam for. The list of topics will make a great checklist for your revision. If you find something that you
don’t understand or haven’t made any notes about, then find out about it. Anything that is mentioned in the
syllabus could be used in an examination question.
Read and understand examination questions
What are you being asked to do?
1. Read the question x3
2. Understand the type of instruction you are being given: Complete, Describe, Draw, Explain, Give and
State all require different actions.
3. If the question makes use of a specific scenario or context then make sure that all of your answers are
relevant to that context. For example, if the question is about security measures for an offline device,
then using an internet-based firewall would not be appropriate!
4. Decide on the information required but remember that you are sitting an iGCSE examination and most
answers will require more than just a single word. If you have finished well before the time allotted,
you may well have fallen into this trap.
5. Always use correct technical terms and avoid the use of trade names. For example, talk about the use
of an operating system rather than the use of ‘Windows 10’.
6. Decide how much information is required to fulfil the number of marks available and if in doubt, add
more!
Help the examiner help you!
- Make sure your answers are easy to read (if in doubt, write it again, clearer!).
- Read through the entire question before you start to answer it, give yourself thinking time and decide
how you will format your answer before writing.
- Make it easy for the examiner to see where he/she should give you the marks. This also helps you
make sure that you will gain every mark available.
- Answer every question! There is no point leaving blank spaces, you will not lose marks for incorrect
answers, so you may as well have a guess.
- You have plenty of time in the exam. Use the first 5 minutes to read through the paper. Maybe
attempt some of the easier questions first to ease you into the problem-solving frame of mind before
tackling the harder ones.
2.1 - Algorithm design and problem-solving
2.1.1 Problem solving and design
Revision Notes & Exam Techniques
, iGCSE Computer Science Revision Notes
Paper 2
Exam Technique
Know what the examiners can ask you questions about
Have a look at the IGCSE Computer Science syllabus that you have been studying and are going to be taking
the exam for. The list of topics will make a great checklist for your revision. If you find something that you
don’t understand or haven’t made any notes about, then find out about it. Anything that is mentioned in the
syllabus could be used in an examination question.
Read and understand examination questions
What are you being asked to do?
1. Read the question x3
2. Understand the type of instruction you are being given: Complete, Describe, Draw, Explain, Give and
State all require different actions.
3. If the question makes use of a specific scenario or context then make sure that all of your answers are
relevant to that context. For example, if the question is about security measures for an offline device,
then using an internet-based firewall would not be appropriate!
4. Decide on the information required but remember that you are sitting an iGCSE examination and most
answers will require more than just a single word. If you have finished well before the time allotted,
you may well have fallen into this trap.
5. Always use correct technical terms and avoid the use of trade names. For example, talk about the use
of an operating system rather than the use of ‘Windows 10’.
6. Decide how much information is required to fulfil the number of marks available and if in doubt, add
more!
Help the examiner help you!
- Make sure your answers are easy to read (if in doubt, write it again, clearer!).
- Read through the entire question before you start to answer it, give yourself thinking time and decide
how you will format your answer before writing.
- Make it easy for the examiner to see where he/she should give you the marks. This also helps you
make sure that you will gain every mark available.
- Answer every question! There is no point leaving blank spaces, you will not lose marks for incorrect
answers, so you may as well have a guess.
- You have plenty of time in the exam. Use the first 5 minutes to read through the paper. Maybe
attempt some of the easier questions first to ease you into the problem-solving frame of mind before
tackling the harder ones.
2.1 - Algorithm design and problem-solving
2.1.1 Problem solving and design
