The Cambridge International AS-level Computer Science curriculum is designed to help students appreciate the field’s foundational concepts and the versatility of computer programming.
Information modeling, networking, software engineering, development, and relational database design are among the many technologies that students will learn about. Students will eventually be able to apply algorithms and programming languages to create computational solutions to real-world problems.
Students who choose to pursue Cambridge International AS-level Computer Science will benefit from a wide range of cognitive abilities, including thinking analytically, rationally, and critically.
They will also have a greater understanding of the moral dilemmas that arise from using modern and future forms of computing technology.
Let’s take a further look at AS-level Computer Science syllabus:
What is CIE?
One of the earliest to offer Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science courses was the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) testing board. These days, AS-level Computer Science is offered by virtually all of the main test boards.
Most introductory computer science courses at the university level will require some familiarity with mathematics, with more advanced mathematics being a plus for a select few electives.
However, many colleges and institutions welcome Computer Science majors with only a GCSE in mathematics.
Cambridge International Exams is referred to as CIE. The AS-level Computer Science exam has the following:
- A favorable reputation
- No coursework is required; therefore, students from alternative education settings are welcome to attend.
When applying for a computer science degree study, useful A Levels to take into account include
- Computing
- Further maths
- Physics
- Philosophy
What is As level?
If you’re approaching higher secondary school you may have heard of A levels but what is As level? Well, AS level stands for Advanced Subsidiary Level. It is a qualification offered by the British Council and comprises the first part of the 2 year A levels, the second part being termed A2 level.
Completing your As level is equivalent to completing grade 11 of higher secondary education in Pakistan.
The AS-level Computer Science Syllabus
Please go to the CIE website for the complete course outline. The AS a level computer science curriculum expands on the IGCSE Computer Science curriculum. However, students are not required to have completed the IGCSE to take the A Level test.
It comprises, essentially speaking, the subject areas in the IGCSE computer science test and more advanced topics such as computer networking, specifics of how operating systems function, and more advanced knowledge of programming methods, data structures, and databases.
The AS-level Computer Science is entirely theoretical, consisting of four written papers that are all short-answer and structured-question variety.
Unit No |
Topic |
Unit 1: Theory Fundamental |
|
Unit 2 – Fundamental problem solving and programming skills |
|
Unit 3 – Advanced theory |
|
Unit 4 – Computational thinking and problem solving |
|
Those studying computer science at the A/S Level (Sections 1 and 2) do so at a less advanced level and with less depth. The AS a level computer science
study Sections 1 and 2 and Sections 2 and 3, which delve deeper into the material and present it at a more advanced level.
Choice of Programming Language
Python, Visual Basic, and Pascal are AS-level Computer Science languages for programmers. Learning to code in any of these languages will provide you with the background and skills to confidently produce “pseudo code” in response to questions in the exam.
Thus the decision is left largely up to you. The exam is more of a test of the student’s analytical and problem-solving skills than their specific programming expertise.
Preparation Guide for AS-level Computer Science Exam
While coding will play a role in the practical paper (which we’ll cover here), your mark will mostly reflect your mastery of the material covered in this course outline.
The AS-level Computer Science syllabus is so comprehensive that it could challenge the most in-depth Biology textbooks. Every aspect of technology, from local area networks (LANs) to printers, will be covered in depth.
You’ll also need to study the rules and regulations that govern computer programming and the use of the internet.
1. Retroactive Timetable
It is essential to organize your study time. Without a schedule, it’s nearly impossible to put in the necessary study time.
The Cambridge exams are based on a student’s ability to demonstrate their comprehension of material; this presents a unique challenge for those doing this particular course of study.
You can think of it as a list of topics that will be on the exam and how well you need to grasp them. It is for this reason that suppor the retroactive schedule i is highly recommended.
2. Figure Out Your Upper Bound
Get out a calendar and count the days before your exam or the date you need to begin studying. Take that total and divide it by the total number of topics on your AS level computer science syllabus.
If you double that figure by the number of days until your exam, you have an upper constraint on how much time you can devote to studying that particular topic.
3. Date Logging & Color Coding Scheme
Systematically record information over time and visually represent my progress in terms of comprehension using a color-coded date system.
Record the date and time of each day that a specific topic is being covered. Based on this, how well do you understand it? (From awful, red, through ok, orange, and good, green) (green).
4. Spaced Repetition
According to the reasoning behind this method, recalling previously taught material becomes more challenging as time passes.
The more effort you put into recalling something, the stronger the neuronal pathway in your brain that’s associated with that memory will develop, making it easier to recall in the future.
Pitfalls To Avoid When Preparing for Computer Science
- Attempt to make the most of your abilities rather than cramming pre-release answers.
- Discover and master the delicate pattern in Paper 2.
- Paper 1 requires a lot of memory; repeat after me.
Study Tips To Ace A-Level Computer Science Exam
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Wake up early
Making the most of your time is important when you only have one day to complete the task at hand.
Avoid waking up at silly o’clock and burning out too soon. However, you should set an alarm for a time that is reasonable for you and aim to begin work at around 9am.
After all, you can take all the naps you want!
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Plan before you start
It will really help to plan out your AS level computer science revision. Even though you only have one day, you’ll accomplish considerably more if you divide it up and figure out exactly what you need to know. Instead of just cramming in any old information, try this strategy instead.
Work out the things you need to cover for a half-hour, allotting time for each section. Although it may seem like a waste of precious revision time, we assure you that it will actually save you a lot more time in the long run.
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Use lecture slides and past papers
Make use of the lecture slides and past papers to determine what is likely to be covered in the exam.
Once you’ve determined what’s likely to be covered, head to the textbooks to make important notes on each subject. For a shorter read, keep an eye out for chapter summaries and crucial information boxes.
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Condense your notes
Utilizing your class slides, past papers, and textbooks, condense each topic into a single page of notes.
Your degree will determine how you revise. Learn the main ideas, examples, and assessments for essay-based subjects, as well as at least one opposing viewpoint.
Spending time copying out paragraphs is unneeded, difficult, and time-consuming. Your memory should be stimulated by just reading through a few chosen notes the morning before your exam.
Where Can an A-Level in Computer Science Do For You?
You can use the knowledge you gain in A’ Level Computer Science in a wide variety of fields, from consulting to IT services, to telecoms to aerospace and defense to finance to healthcare to manufacturing to agriculture to public service. There is a wide variety of computer options available to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Startups in the IT industry, such as web design and consulting, are also viable options.
A degree in computer science can lead to a variety of relevant careers, such as those listed below.
- Application analyst
- Business analyst
- Data analyst
- Database administrator
- Games developer
- Information systems manager
- IT consultant
- Multimedia programmer
- SEO specialist
- Systems analyst
- Systems developer
Conclusion
Talk to your lecturers and review the course descriptions for AS-level Computer Science to help you make your final choice.
You might even decide to visit the library and check at some of the texts and course books you’ll be required to read. This should facilitate your decision-making process by giving you a sense of what each subject is like.
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Last but not least, good luck! We hope this information has been useful as you embark on this wonderful period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which A level subjects go well with computer science?
The A level subjects that are best matched with computer science vary from student to student. However, some common A level subjects that most computer science students tend to pick include mathematics and physics. Chemistry or biology are also commonly taken as a fourth subject for those looking to expand their future study options.
What is the difference between A and As Level?
Combined both are commonly referred to as A levels, but there is a notable difference between A and As level. A level refers to advanced level and is equivalent to Grade 12 in Pakistan whereas As Level refers to Advanced subsidiary level and is equivalent to grade 11. So in short the main difference between A and As level is that they are two separate classes in the British education system.
What is the difference between A level and O level?
There is a big difference between the A level and O level qualifications. O level stands for ordinary levels and is equivalent to grade 9 and 10 in Pakistan. A level on the other hand, stands for Advanced level and is broken down into As and A level which are equivalent to grade 11 and 12 in Pakistan respectively. In terms of subjects, the main difference between A level and O level is that the former requires students to choose a minimum of 3 subjects of their choice while the latter comprises of 8 subjects in total (5 mandatory subjects and 3 optional).