WJECGCSE21 resources

WJEC GCSE Computer Science Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free WJEC GCSE Computer Science past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Computational thinking, programming and data representation. 21 resources.

Papers Overview Paper Structure Key Info Key Topics Command Words Grade Boundaries Revision Tips Try AI Tutor ✦

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21 of 21 resources

Summer 2023

7 files

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

Mark Scheme

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

Mark Scheme

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 3 Software Develop: Software Development – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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Summer 2022

7 files

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GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 3 Software Develop: Software Development – Past Paper – Summer 2022

Past Paper

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✅

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

Mark Scheme

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✅

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

Mark Scheme

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📋

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

Download

📋

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

Download

📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Past Paper – Summer 2022

Past Paper

Download

📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Past Paper – Summer 2022

Past Paper

Download

Summer 2019

7 files

✅

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Mark Scheme – Summer 2019

Mark Scheme

Download

✅

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Mark Scheme – Summer 2019

Mark Scheme

Download

📋

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper

Download

📋

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper

Download

📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 1 Understanding: Understanding – Computer Science – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

Download

📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 2 – Comp Thinking: – Computational Thinking and Programming – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

Download

📄

GCSE – Comp Science – Unit 3 Software Develop: Software Development – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

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Computational Thinking and Programming in the Welsh Digital Curriculum

WJEC GCSE Computer Science prepares students for the digital landscape through two complementary units. Unit 1 (Understanding Computer Science, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50%) is a written paper testing theoretical knowledge of computer systems, data representation, networking, cybersecurity, and ethical issues. Unit 2 (Computational Thinking and Programming, 2 hours, 50%) focuses on practical problem-solving through programming, algorithm design, and logical reasoning. Unit 1 covers hardware and software architecture, binary and hexadecimal number systems, data representation (text, images, sound), networking and the internet, cybersecurity threats and prevention, database concepts, and the social, ethical, and environmental impact of computing. Unit 2 tests algorithm design using flowcharts and pseudocode, programming constructs (sequence, selection, iteration), data structures, file handling, and testing strategies. Students are expected to be proficient in at least one high-level programming language (typically Python) and be able to read, write, trace, and debug code under exam conditions. Unlike controlled assessment, all programming questions are answered on paper in the written exam. This archive contains 21 resources from Summer 2019 to Summer 2023.

Exam Paper Structure

Unit 1No calculator

Understanding Computer Science

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 marks📊 50% of grade

Computer systems architectureData representationNetworking and cybersecurityEthical and environmental issues

Unit 2No calculator

Computational Thinking and Programming

⏱ 2 hours🎯 marks📊 50% of grade

Algorithm designProgramming constructsData structuresTesting and debugging

Key Information

Exam Board	WJEC
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	A*–G
Assessment Type	2 written papers
Unit 1	1 hr 45 min — Understanding Computer Science (50%)
Unit 2	2 hr — Computational Thinking and Programming (50%)
Programming Language	Python typically used, though any suitable language accepted
Available Sessions	Summer 2019 – Summer 2023
Total Resources	21

Key Topics in Computer Science

Topics you need to know

Computer architecture and hardwareBinary, hexadecimal and data representationNetworks, protocols and the internetCybersecurity threats and preventionAlgorithm design and pseudocodeProgramming constructs and data structuresEthical, legal and environmental issues

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
State	Give a brief factual answer — one or two words may be sufficient
Describe	Give a detailed account of the process, component, or concept
Explain	Give reasons why, using technical computing terminology
Write an algorithm	Produce pseudocode or a flowchart that solves the given problem, including all necessary constructs
Complete the trace table	Step through the code line by line, recording the value of each variable after each instruction
Discuss	Consider different viewpoints on a computing issue, presenting arguments for and against

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade A*	70–82%
Grade A	58–69%
Grade B	46–57%
Grade C	34–45%
Grade D	24–33%

⚠️ Typical boundaries across both units combined. Computer Science boundaries tend to be lower than average. Actual boundaries vary by series.

Binary Conversion Fluency and Writing Structured Pseudocode Under Exam Pressure

Binary and hexadecimal conversions must be instant — you cannot afford to spend time working these out slowly in the exam. Practise converting between denary, binary, and hexadecimal until it is second nature. Also practise binary addition (including overflow detection), binary shifts, and two's complement for negative numbers. These topics appear in almost every Unit 1 paper. For Unit 2, the key is writing clean, structured pseudocode or code. Use meaningful variable names, indent consistently to show the structure of loops and conditions, and always initialise variables before use. WJEC mark schemes award marks for correct logic even if the syntax is not perfect, but unclear structure makes it hard for examiners to follow your reasoning and may cost you marks. Trace tables are your most powerful debugging tool, both in the exam and in your revision. When given code to trace, create a table with a column for each variable and step through the code line by line, updating values. When writing your own code, mentally trace it with test data before you commit to your answer. This catches logic errors that are easy to make under time pressure. For questions about networks and cybersecurity, learn the specific protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP) and their purposes, common attack types (phishing, SQL injection, DDoS, social engineering) and specific countermeasures for each. Generic answers about 'having a strong password' score poorly — the examiners want precise, technical responses.

More WJEC GCSE Subjects

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WJEC GCSE Computer Science Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download Past Papers

Summer 2023

Summer 2022

Summer 2019

Computational Thinking and Programming in the Welsh Digital Curriculum

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Computer Science

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

Binary Conversion Fluency and Writing Structured Pseudocode Under Exam Pressure

More WJEC GCSE Subjects

Applied Science (Double Award)

Applied Science (Single Award)

Art and Design

Biology

Built Environment

Business

Chemistry

Design and Technology

Digital Technology

Drama

Electronics

English Language

English Literature

Film Studies

Food and Nutrition

French

Geography

Geology

German

History

Latin

Mathematics-Numeracy

Mathematics

Media Studies

Music

Physical Education (Short Course)

Physical Education

Physics

Religious Studies

Science (Double Award)

Sociology

Spanish

Welsh Language (Cymraeg Iaith)

Welsh Literature (Llenyddiaeth Gymraeg)

Welsh Second Language

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