Teacher Guide

Section 1: Syllabus overview 
6
Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level Computer Science
1.4 Assessment 
structure
Candidates sit two papers. Paper 1 tests the theory of computer science. The duration of the paper is 1 hour 
45 minutes. It has a weighting of 60% of the total available marks.
Paper 2 tests problem-solving and programming, it consists of two sections. In section A, there is one 
question set on the pre-release material issued a few months before the examination. The duration of the 
paper is 1 hour and 45 minutes and has a weighting of 40% of the total available marks.
Components
Weighting
Paper 1 Theory 
1 hour 45 minutes 
This written paper contains short-answer and structured questions. All questions 
are compulsory.
No calculators are permitted in this paper.
75 marks 
Externally assessed.
60%
Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming 
1 hour 45 minutes
This written paper contains short-answer and structured questions. All questions 
are compulsory. 20 of the marks for this paper are from questions set on the 
pre-release material.
No calculators are permitted
50 marks 
Externally assessed.
40%
The testing of the Assessment Objectives is distributed across the two papers as shown in the table below. 
Both papers assess all three AOs.
Assessment objective
Paper 1
Paper 2
Weighting for 
qualifi cation
AO1
32%
8%
40%
AO2
16%
24%
40%
AO3
12%
8%
20%
Total
60%
40%
100%

---

Section 2: Planning the course
7
Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level Computer Science
Section 2: Planning the course
This section fi rst considers the benefi ts of planning; it then explores the process of planning on three levels, 
each of increasing detail. These include planning the overall course, planning the schemes of work (i.e. the 
teaching units) and planning the individual lessons. Examples of schemes of work, two lesson plans and a 
lesson plan template are provided in the appendices, to illustrate the principles explained in this guide.
2.1 Benefi ts of planning
Planning provides a number of signifi cant benefi ts. These include:
• increasing the likelihood that all aspects of the syllabus will be covered
• helping to develop a logical structure to the course
• making you think about creating a variety of activities in lessons
• helping you build in formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment occurs throughout 
the course and infl uences subsequent teaching and learning. It involves gathering information on what 
learning is taking place through, for instance, marking class work and homework and feeding back 
to learners on their performance. Summative assessment establishes what progress a learner has 
achieved. It is often used to report to other institutions and to parents.
2.2 Long-term planning
The purpose of the long-term plan is to set out a framework that ensures the whole syllabus (including the 
development of the AO2 and AO3 skills) is covered within the time that you have available.
Each Centre will need to consider a number of factors in the light of its particular circumstances. These 
include:
• the amount of teaching time available for the whole duration of the course (IGCSE and O Level 
syllabuses are designed on the assumption that learners have about 130 guided learning hours* over the 
duration of a two year course)
• the number and length of lessons that you expect to have available (remember to take into account time 
lost to internal examinations or other activities that will take learners away from your lessons)
• the number of lessons available for practical work in a computing laboratory
• taking account of any prior knowledge learners may have
• whether you are sharing the teaching with a colleague or colleagues
• the homework policy of your educational establishment
• the assessment policy of your educational establishment, including when you can set mock 
examinations and when the Cambridge examinations will fall.
‘Guided learning hours’ refers to the time that the learner spends being directly taught by the teacher, or 
carrying out supervised work or directed study. In addition, learners will need to spend some time in private 
study.
All of these factors vary greatly between Centres. It is therefore most important that you develop your plans 
to suit your particular circumstances.

---