COMPUTING AS & A LEVEL

Specification = AQA AS 5511 A Level 6511 COMPUTING

Computing A level consists of 6 units. Three units are studied at AS level and three at A2 level.

The AS units are:

Unit 1 Computer Systems, Programming and Networking Concepts

Unit 2 Principles of Hardware, Software and Applications

Unit 3 Practical Systems Development

These lead to the modular examinations: CPT1, CPT2 and CPT3 respectively. Each examination is one and a half hours in length. CPT1 and CPT2 are short answer and structured questions. CPT3 is based on a practical exercise which is set by the examination board. Questions are designed to examine the students understanding of Systems Development by querying the content of their documentation. The documentation for the set task is prepared in advance and taken into the examination to be referred to by the student.

The A2 units are:

Unit 4 Processing and Programming Techniques

Unit 5 Advanced Systems Development

Unit 6 Centre-assessed Project

The practical project allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of computer systems and the principles of computing, and their skills at analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems by undertaking one substantial piece of work over an extended period of time.