OCR · GCSE Computer Science · J277

Computer Science Revision

Understand computer systems, represent data and build reliable algorithms and programs.

Past papers

Revision topics

12 topics
CS1Ready

Systems architecture

CPU components, instruction processing, performance and embedded control.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS2Ready

Memory and secondary storage

RAM, ROM, cache, virtual memory and choosing persistent storage.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS3Ready

Data representation and compression

Binary and hexadecimal, text, images, sound, file sizes and compression.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS4Ready

Networks, connections and protocols

Network hardware, topologies, internet services, connections and protocols.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS5Ready

Network security

Threats, vulnerabilities and protections for systems, people and data.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS6Ready

Systems software

Operating-system services, device drivers and maintenance utilities.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS7Ready

Impacts of digital technology

Ethics, privacy, society, environmental impacts, legislation and licences.

Paper 1Revise topic →
CS8Ready

Computational thinking and algorithms

Computational thinking, algorithm design, tracing, searching and sorting.

Paper 2Revise topic →
CS9Ready

Programming fundamentals

Constructs, data types, strings, files, SQL, arrays and subprograms.

Paper 2Revise topic →
CS10Ready

Producing robust programs

Defensive design, validation, maintainability, test data and refinement.

Paper 2Revise topic →
CS11Ready

Boolean logic

Logic gates, expressions, circuits and complete truth tables.

Paper 2Revise topic →
CS12Ready

Languages and development environments

Programming languages, translators and tools for editing and debugging.

Paper 2Revise topic →

The course and practical programming

OCR J277 has two compulsory, untiered papers, each worth 80 marks and 50% of the qualification and lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. Calculators are not allowed. Paper 1 assesses computer systems; Paper 2 assesses computational thinking, algorithms and programming. CS1–CS12 are site identifiers. All specified content is included; there are no optional modules.

Build practical skills by designing, writing, testing and refining programs. Python examples use stated indexing and loop bounds; the notes distinguish OCR Exam Reference Language where conventions differ. In Paper 2 Section B code-writing tasks use that reference language or a familiar high-level language. Short quizzes cannot replace whole-program practice.

OCR Computer Science specification · Official assessment resources