Advance information for exams: support for computer science

08 February 2022

This week, advance information ahead of the 2022 exam series has been released by exam boards. Described as a transition year by Ofqual, students taking GCSE, AS and A levels this summer can now access information to help focus their revision in preparation for their exams.

What does advanced information mean for computer science?

Each exam board has published their own advanced information, and you can access the relevant information directly from each awarding body: OCR, AQA, Pearson and Eduqas.

The advanced information applies to the Computer Systems (Computing Concepts) exam paper only; no information has been made available for the Algorithmic thinking and programming paper - students will complete this exam paper as normal.

How can the National Centre for Computing Education help?

This March, we are running our Supporting student attainment in GCSE computer science residential. Scheduled to take place on the 1 and 2 March, you’ll complete the following two courses whilst referencing the advanced information:

• Higher attainment in GCSE computer science - meeting the challenges of the exams (available face to face or remote)
• Supporting GCSE computer science students at grades 1-3
  

If you are looking to get to grips with a specific area of the computer science curriculum to support students preparation, our new CPD programme Fast-track Fortnight is here to help. Choose from ten courses taking place between 21 March and 1 April, with daily educational themes including programming, algorithms and more.

Our Teach Computing Curriculum can also support you to deliver topics linked to advanced information. It covers the full GCSE curriculum, and you can download free resources across the curriculum to support your teaching.