Overview

This AS stage provides a strong balance between theory (hardware, networks, systems) and practical coding/database work. Cambridge provides a pseudocode standard for teaching/programming that all exams use.

Modules

Paper 1: Theory Fundamentals

1. Information Representation

• Binary systems & conversions
• Hexadecimal
• Number representation (signed, unsigned, floating-point)
• Text, images, sound representation
• Compression methods

2. Communication & Internet Technologies

• Data transmission (serial/parallel, synchronous/asynchronous)
• Error detection/correction
• Network topologies & protocols
• Client–server model, internet structure
• IP addressing, DNS

3. Hardware

• Structure & architecture of processors (ALU, control unit, registers, buses)
• Input, output & storage devices
• Logic gates & circuits

4. Processor Fundamentals

• Fetch–decode–execute cycle
• Machine code instructions
• Assembly language basics

5. System Software

• Operating system functions
• Utility software
• Language translators (compiler, interpreter, assembler)

6. Security, Privacy & Data Integrity

• Threats to computer systems
• Authentication, encryption, firewalls
• Backup strategies, validation, verification

7. Ethics & Ownership

• Intellectual property
• Environmental issues
• Impact of computer use in society

Paper 2: Fundamental Problem-solving & Programming Skills

1. Algorithm Design & Problem-solving

• Pseudocode & flowcharts
• Algorithm efficiency
• Searching & sorting algorithms (linear/binary search, bubble/insertion/merge sort)

2. Programming

Basic constructs: sequence, selection, iteration
Data types & structures (arrays, records, files)
Procedures & functions
Structured programming principles

3. Databases

• Database concepts
• Relational databases
• SQL basics (queries, selection, joins)

Assessment at AS Level

• Paper 1 (Theory Fundamentals) – 1h 45min written exam – 50% of AS
• Paper 2 (Practical/Programming) – 1h 45min on-screen exam – 50% of AS

Together, these two form the AS qualification.

For full A Level, learners add Paper 3 (Advanced Theory) and Paper 4 (Advanced Practical) in Year 2.