OCR A-Level Computer Science exam papers and weighting (H446)
Guide overview All 16 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Computer Science paper assesses
OCR A-Level Computer Science (specification H446) is sat as two written papers and a programming project. Component 01 is computer systems: the processor, software, data exchange, networks, data representation and the legal and ethical issues. Component 02 is algorithms and programming, including computational thinking and the standard algorithms. The programming project is a problem chosen by the teacher or learner, marked by the centre and moderated by OCR.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component 01 Computer systems |
The structure and function of the processor, and input, output and storage Systems software, applications generation, software development and types of programming language Exchanging data, networks, web technologies, data types and data structures Boolean algebra, and the legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues |
2 hours 30 minutes | 140 marks | 40% |
|
Component 02 Algorithms and programming |
Elements of computational thinking: thinking abstractly, ahead, procedurally, logically and concurrently Problem solving and programming, including programming techniques and computational methods Algorithms: searching, sorting, path finding and the analysis of complexity |
2 hours 30 minutes | 140 marks | 40% |
|
Component 03 or 04 (80 if carried forward) Programming project |
A computing problem chosen by the teacher or learner, analysed, designed, developed, tested and evaluated Assesses the practical application of the content of both written papers Marked by the centre and moderated by OCR, as an upload (03) or by post (04), or carried forward (80) on a retake |
Non-exam assessment | 70 marks | 20% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Component | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processors: Structure, Performance and Types | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 91 |
| Input, Output and Storage | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 46 |
| Systems Software | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 97 |
| Applications Generation | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 64 |
| Software Development | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 41 |
| Types of Programming Language | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 64 |
| Exchanging Data | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 122 |
| Networks | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 92 |
| Web Technologies | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 71 |
| Data Types and Number Representation | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 152 |
| Data Structures | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 124 |
| Boolean Algebra | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 85 |
| Legal, Moral, Cultural and Ethical Issues | Component 01: Computer systems | Component 01 | 73 |
| Elements of Computational Thinking | Component 02: Algorithms and programming | Component 02 | 78 |
| Problem Solving and Programming | Component 02: Algorithms and programming | Component 02 | 119 |
| Algorithms | Component 02: Algorithms and programming | Component 02 | 230 |
Assessment details from the Cambridge OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Computer Science, specification H446, version 3.0. OCR specification.
OCR A-Level Computer Science Active Recall Guide
1,549 questions across every paper on the specification.