AQAGCSE33 resources

AQA GCSE Computer Science Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525) past papers and mark schemes. Computational thinking, programming, computing concepts. 33 resources from 2020 to 2024.

📅June 2022 – June 2024 (reformed spec)📄33 resources available✅Free to download

Papers Overview Paper Structure Key Info Key Topics Command Words Grade Boundaries Revision Tips Try AI Tutor ✦

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33 of 33 resources — page 1 of 2

June 2023

11 files

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GCSE Computer Science – Mark scheme: Paper 2 Computing concepts – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Computing concepts – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1C Computational thinking and programming skills (VB.Net) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 2 Computing concepts – June 2023

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1C Computational thinking and programming skills (VB.Net) – June 2023

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June 2022

10 files

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1A Computational thinking and programming skills (C#) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 2 Computing concepts – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Insert (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1C Computational thinking and programming skills (VB.Net) – June 2022

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1B Computational thinking and programming skills (Python) – June 2022

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November 2021

4 files

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GCSE Computer Science – Mark scheme: Paper 2 Written assessment – November 2021

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Written assessment – November 2021

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 1 Computational thinking and problem-solving – November 2021

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GCSE Computer Science – Question paper: Paper 2 Written assessment – November 2021

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About AQA GCSE Computer Science

AQA GCSE Computer Science (specification code 8525) is assessed through two written exams with no programming project or NEA component in the current version of the specification. The qualification was significantly reformed in 2020 following concerns about NEA integrity, and since then all assessment has been written. Paper 1 is 'Computational thinking and problem solving' and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 80 marks. This paper tests programming concepts through written questions. Students are expected to read, write, and trace algorithms written in pseudo-code or a programming language. The paper covers variables, data types, selection (if/elif/else), iteration (for/while loops), subroutines, arrays, string handling, file handling, and recursion. Students may also encounter questions about structured programming and the use of standard algorithms such as linear and binary search, and bubble sort. Paper 2 is 'Computing concepts' and also lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 80 marks. This paper covers the theoretical underpinning of computer science: binary representation (integers, characters, images, and sound), data compression (lossy and lossless), encryption, data structures (including queues and stacks), Boolean algebra, logic gates, hardware (CPU architecture, memory, storage), networking (protocols, topologies, network hardware), cybersecurity threats and prevention, and ethical/legal/environmental issues in computing. Because programming questions appear on Paper 1, students benefit from genuine coding experience alongside written revision. However, all code must be written in AQA's pseudo-code for the mark scheme — even if you normally program in Python, you should practise expressing algorithms in AQA's pseudo-code notation.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1No calculator

Computational Thinking and Problem Solving

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 50% of grade

Programming concepts (selection, iteration, subroutines)Standard algorithms (linear search, binary search, bubble sort)Data structures (arrays, strings, files)Computational thinking and debugging

Paper 2No calculator

Computing Concepts

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 50% of grade

Binary and data representationComputer systems (CPU, memory, storage)Networks (protocols, topologies, security)Cybersecurity threats and preventionEthical and legal issues in computing

Key Information

Exam Board	AQA
Specification Code	8525
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	9–1
Assessment Type	2 written exams (no NEA or programming project since 2020)
Number Of Papers	2
Exam Duration	1 hour 30 minutes per paper
Total Marks	160 (80 per paper)
Calculator Status	Not applicable
Available Sessions	June 2022 – June 2024 (reformed spec)
Total Resources	33

Key Topics in Computer Science

Topics you need to know

Algorithms and pseudocodeProgramming: selection, iteration, subroutinesData structures: arrays, queues, stacksBinary representation (integers, characters, images, sound)Boolean logic and logic gatesComputer systems (CPU architecture, fetch-decode-execute cycle)Networking (protocols, TCP/IP, network topologies)Cybersecurity threats and prevention

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Trace	Complete a trace table by tracking variable values as the algorithm runs step by step
Write	Produce an algorithm in AQA pseudocode or describe code for a given task
Identify	Name a specific component, error or feature
Explain	Give reasons why a technique, structure or system works in the way described
Compare	State similarities and differences between two approaches, protocols or data types
Define	Give the precise technical meaning of a computing term
Calculate	Convert between binary, decimal and hexadecimal, or work out a binary arithmetic sum

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade 9	75–85%
Grade 8	64–74%
Grade 7	53–63%
Grade 6	44–52%
Grade 5	35–43%
Grade 4	26–34%
Grade 3	17–25%
Grade 2	9–16%
Grade 1	1–8%

⚠️ Typical boundaries across two papers (160 total marks). Actual boundaries vary by series — check AQA's website.

How to Use AQA GCSE Computer Science Past Papers Effectively

Computer Science is unusual among GCSE subjects because Paper 1 tests a practical skill — programming — through a written exam. When practising past paper questions, physically write out your algorithm or code answers rather than just thinking through them. Examiners note that many students lose marks by using imprecise language or omitting curly brackets, indentation cues, or variable assignment syntax that the mark scheme requires. For tracing algorithms (trace table questions), work through the code methodically: track the value of each variable at each step in the table. These questions are very predictable in format — practise them until trace tables feel mechanical. Errors usually come from misreading conditional logic or forgetting to update a variable. For Paper 2 binary questions, learn to convert between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal fluently. These questions appear in almost every paper and offer straightforward marks. Also learn binary addition, two's complement for negative numbers, and how image and sound data is represented (bit depth, sample rate, resolution). Logic gates and Boolean algebra questions are reliable discriminators — many students avoid them. If you spend an hour practising truth tables and simplifying Boolean expressions, you'll almost certainly encounter similar questions in the exam. Drawing truth tables column by column is the most reliable method.

More AQA GCSE Subjects

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AQA GCSE Computer Science Past Papers & Mark Schemes

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June 2023

June 2022

November 2021

About AQA GCSE Computer Science

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Computer Science

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

How to Use AQA GCSE Computer Science Past Papers Effectively

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