Teacher Guide

Appendix A: Sample long-term plan
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Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level Computer Science
Appendix A: Sample long-term plan
This plan is based on a two year IGCSE/OL course, with the two examination papers being taken in the sixth 
and fi nal term. It is a good idea to teach units addressing Paper1 and Paper2 in parallel, to balance theory 
with practical activity.
The units within the scheme of work (with suggestions for time allocations, based on a total allocation of 
about 130 hours) are:
Unit 1: Introduction to computer systems (15 hours)
Unit 2: Numbers, processors and operating systems (10 hours)
Unit 3: Data communications and networking (12–15 hours)
Unit 4: Data integrity and security (10 hours)
Unit 5: Binary logic (15 hours)
Unit 6: Practical problem solving – structure diagrams, algorithms and fl owcharts (12 hours)
Unit 7: Practical problem solving – pseudocode (12 hours)
Unit 8: Programming concepts (12 hours)
Unit 9: Databases (9 hours)
Unit 10: Use of pre-release material (20–25 hours)
Term 1
Paper 1
Paper 2
Introduction to computer systems
Focus on developing skills of knowledge with 
understanding
Introduction to Practical problem solving
Introduction to programming
Term 2
Paper 1
Paper 2
Numbers, processors and operating systems
Focus on developing skills of knowledge with 
understanding 
Introduction to Practical problem solving, 
algorithms
Programming concepts
Term 3
Paper 1
Paper 2
Data communications and networking
Test
Department review of learners’ progress
Introduction to Practical problem solving, 
fl owcharts and pseudocode
Programming concepts 
Test 
Department review of learners’ progress

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