AQA A-Level Computer Science exam papers and weighting (7517)
Guide overview All 13 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each AQA A-Level Computer Science paper assesses
AQA A-Level Computer Science (specification 7517) is assessed by two equally weighted written and on-screen exams and a practical programming project. Paper 1 is sat on screen and tests the ability to program alongside data structures, algorithms and the theory of computation. Paper 2 is a written paper covering data representation, computer systems, architecture, networking, databases, Big Data and functional programming. The non-exam assessment is a programming project worth a fifth of the qualification.
| Paper | Covers |
|---|---|
|
Paper 1 On-screen programming exam |
Programming, data structures, algorithms and the theory of computation Students write, adapt and extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document, working from preliminary material and a skeleton program issued beforehand On-screen exam of 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of the A-level |
|
Paper 2 Written theory exam |
Data representation, computer systems, computer organisation and architecture, consequences of uses of computing, communication and networking, databases, Big Data and functional programming Compulsory short-answer and extended-answer questions Written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of the A-level |
|
Non-exam assessment The computing practical project |
A practical problem solved or investigated using a systematic approach to problem solving 75 marks, 20% of the A-level |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Programming | Paper 1 | 189 |
| Fundamentals of Data Structures | Paper 1 | 136 |
| Fundamentals of Algorithms | Paper 1 | 82 |
| Theory of Computation | Paper 1 | 195 |
| Fundamentals of Data Representation | Paper 2 | 240 |
| Fundamentals of Computer Systems | Paper 2 | 114 |
| Fundamentals of Computer Organisation and Architecture | Paper 2 | 133 |
| Fundamentals of Communication and Networking | Paper 2 | 204 |
| Consequences of Uses of Computing | Paper 2 | 26 |
| Systematic Approach to Problem Solving | Non-exam assessment | 24 |
| Fundamentals of Databases | Paper 2 | 69 |
| Big Data | Paper 2 | 42 |
| Fundamentals of Functional Programming | Paper 2 | 62 |
Assessment details from the AQA AS and A-level Computer Science, specification 7517. AQA specification at a glance.
AQA A-Level Computer Science Active Recall Guide
1,516 questions across every paper on the specification.