A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 29

Component 3 – Programmed Solution to a Problem

Band Discussion - AO2.1b

Max 5 marks
3 4-5 marks
The candidate has:

• identified a substantial problem that provides sufficient scope for the candidate to
access the full range of marks
• provided a full description of the broad aims of the project using appropriate subject
based technical vocabulary
• identified the possible limitations of a solution to the problem and is able to describe
these in detail using appropriate technical language
• fully considered feedback from others and, where appropriate, has used this feedback to
refine understanding of the problem and proposed solution.

2 3 marks
The candidate has:

• identified a suitable problem that will provide sufficient scope to produce work at the
required level
• identified the broad aims of the project
• provided a realistic description of these aims
• identified the main limitations of a solution to the problem and can describe these to a
competent third party
• considered feedback from others and has made use of the feedback to increase
understanding of the problem and proposed solution.

1 1-2 marks
The candidate has:

• identified a problem that may be limited in scope

• identified a limited number of broad aims for the chosen project
• provided a description of more than one of the identified broad aims
• identified at least one limitation of a solution to the problem
• received feedback from others and has made limited use of the advice.

0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 30

Band Investigation – AO2.1b

Max 10 marks
3 8-10 marks
The candidate has:

• made full use of a range of appropriate methods to investigate the existing system
• completed a thorough investigation of the current system
• carried out extensive desk based research into existing solutions to similar problems and
identified the best features and facilities of these solutions to include in their solution to their
chosen problem
• described the involvement of all stakeholders in the current system and described their
requirements for the proposed project
• fully analysed data collected for input
• analysed in detail the processing carried out by the existing system
• given full consideration to all current system outputs
• fully considered and explained the limitations of the current system
• produced a working specification that clearly summarises the purpose of the project
• explained, with technical justification, the methods to be used in the solution
• detailed a range of objectives that include success criteria and clearly define the required
performance of the proposed system.
2 4-7 marks
The candidate has:

• used several methods to investigate the existing system

• completed an investigation of the current system
• carried out desk based research into existing solutions to similar problems and identified
features to be included in their solution
• identified most stakeholders for the project, described them and identified their roles in the
current system and their main requirements for the proposed system
• analysed the majority of the data that is collected and input into the current system
• analysed most of the processing needed to carry out the functions of the existing system
• given consideration of the current system in terms of the majority of outputs
• described the limitations of the current system
• produced a specification that summarises the purpose of the project
• described the methods to be used in the solution
• put forward objectives that include success criteria.
1 1-3 marks
The candidate has:

• carried out a limited investigation into the current system

• given limited consideration to the data that is collected and input into the existing system
• carried out desk based research and given limited consideration to existing solutions to similar
problems
• identified the main stakeholders for the project and described them and their involvement with
the current system
• given limited consideration to the data that is output by the existing system
• identified the main processes carried out by the existing system
• given superficial consideration to the limitations of the current system
• produced a summary of the purpose of the project
• identified a limited number of methods to be used in the solution
• put forward limited objectives that give some indication of the scope of the proposed solution.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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 A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 31

Band Design – AO3.1a

Max 15marks
3 11-15 marks
The candidate has:
• described and justified the breaking down of the problem into sub problems and
explained the links between the sub programs and the project objectives
• fully identified and described the data to be input to and output from the system
• designed in detail the input and output to be produced by the system
• given full consideration to the reasons for the data that is to be included in the outputs
• fully described all the required files and/or data structures and has fully considered and
fully described methods of access
• fully described the validation routines to be carried out on the data entered into the
system
• identified all processes needed to provide a comprehensive solution to the problem
• fully explained the relationships between the data and the processes or programs that
manipulate and transform the data
• fully described the processing routines using an appropriate recognised convention in
sufficient detail for implementation by a competent third party. The interconnection
between the programs and the files they access has been clearly shown.
2 6-10 marks
The candidate has:
• described how the problem can be broken down into manageable sub problems related
to the objectives of the project
• identified the majority of the data to be input to and output from the system
• designed the majority of the inputs and outputs to be produced by system
• described most of the files and/or data structures required to produce the output from
the solution
• described possible methods of access
• described the majority of the validation routines that will be required to ensure all data is
valid
• identified a sufficient number of processes to provide a working solution to the problem
• produced a description of the relationships between the data and the processes or
programs that are used to manipulate and transform the data
• described the processing routines using a recognised convention. the interconnection
between the programs and the files they access has been considered.
1 1-5 marks
The candidate has:
• produced a limited description of the how the problem can be broken down into sub
problems
• produced a limited description of the data to be input to and output from the system
• produced outline designs for the identified input and output facilities
• described the main files and/or data structures required to produce a partially
functioning solution to the problem
• identified several validation rules required to ensure accurate data entry.
• identified more than one of the processes that would be included in a working solution to
the problem
• attempted to describe the routines using a recognised convention.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 32

Band Prototype - AO3.1b

Max 10 marks
3 8-10 marks
The candidate has:

• justified the choice of areas to be included in the prototype system and explained the
reasons for omitting the remaining areas
• created a comprehensive range of screens and outputs for the chosen areas of the
solution
• created a functioning system that carries out all chosen processes using realistic data
and fulfils all requirements for data output and storage
• evaluated the functioning of the prototype and justified the good features of the prototype
solution
• described the shortcomings and made specific suggestions for improvement.
2 4-7 marks
The candidate has:

• described the areas to be included in the prototype system

• created mock ups of screens and outputs related to all areas described
• created a system that carries out most of the chosen system processes using realistic
data to create required outputs
• considered the functioning of the prototype system and described the good features and
identified the shortcomings and made suggestions for some improvements.
1 1-3 marks
The candidate has:

• identified some areas of the proposed solution that are included in the prototype solution
• created mock ups of the main screens and essential outputs
• simulated some systems processes but does not use real data.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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 A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 33

Band Post-Prototype Refinement of Design - AO3.1a

Max 5 marks
3 4-5 marks
The candidate has:

• obtained feedback on the prototype system from a competent third party

• fully described the feedback received and explained the implications of the feedback for
the re-design of the system
• re-considered and re-structured input and output facilities as necessary
• given full consideration to the need for additional data as necessary
• given full consideration to all required files and/or data structures in light of any need to
include additional data
• given full consideration to the need for any additional processes needed and has fully
described any new relationships between the data and the processes of the revised
design
• fully described all processing routines using an appropriate recognised convention in
sufficient detail for implementation by a competent third party
• fully refined with detailed design, in response to feedback or justified instances where
suggestions have been discounted.
2 3 marks
The candidate has:

• obtained feedback on the prototype system from a competent third party

• described the feedback and identified the areas of the system to be refined
• re-designed the input and output facilities in response to feedback if necessary
• changed files and/or data structures as indicated from feedback
• included additional processes to provide a working solution to the problem as necessary
• revised existing processing routines and presented them using a recognised convention
• included additional processing routines as necessary
• provided an explanation where feedback suggestions have be discounted.
1 1-2 marks
The candidate has:

• obtained feedback on the prototype system from a competent third party

• included a limited summary of the feedback
• made limited alterations to outline designs for the input and output facilities as indicated
from feedback
• made limited amendments to the main files and/or data where necessary
• attempted to re-define the routines using a recognised convention where necessary.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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Band Software Development – AO3.1b

Max 25 marks
4 19-25 marks
The candidate has:
• taken full account of the revised detailed design and refined the prototype in light of feedback and
changed designs
• produced a functioning solution to a highly demanding problem that meets most of the objectives
for the solution to the problem. Better solutions will meet almost all of the objectives for the
proposed solution.
• used and fully exploited the programming facilities of the language
• demonstrated a sound understanding of the appropriate tools and techniques available to them
• created a well-structured data model that aids efficient data handling. Better candidates will
present a data model normalised to third normal form.
• produced a solution that is well-structured and modular in nature. The solution makes good use of
local variables and minimises the use of global variables.
• written code that is fully self-documenting and well-structured with annotation that will allow a
competent third party to maintain the solution in future
• made use of complex user-defined routines. Better candidates will have made effective use of
recursive algorithms.
• produced evidence of the effective use of validation for all key components. Better candidates will
have created efficient routines for exception handling.
• fully documented the variables and actual data structures used to create the solution to the chosen
problem
• included evidence of the completed user interface including a full description of the features that
make it fit for audience and purpose.
3 13-18 marks
The candidate has:
• taken account of the reworked design and improved or extended the prototype in light of feedback
and changes to designs
• produced a functioning system to a demanding problem that meets many of the objectives for the
solution of the problem. Better solutions will meet more of the central requirements.
• used and exploited the programming facilities of the language
• demonstrated an understanding of the tools and techniques available to them
• created a data model involving a series of linked data structures to facilitate the manipulation of
data and reduce data redundancy. Better candidates will have made use of multi-dimensional
arrays.
• produced a solution that is modular in nature that makes good use of local variables
• written code that is self-documenting, Better candidates will have annotated all key components of
their solutions.
• made use of user-defined routines Better candidates will have used data handling routines such as
sorts and searches.
• provided evidence of effective validation for most key elements
• used appropriate self-documenting identifiers for most variables and structures
• provided evidence of the completed user interface with a description of the features used to make it
fit for audience and purpose.
2 7-12 marks
The candidate has:
• improved the prototype in light of some of the feedback, implementing some of the features of the
revised design
• produced a partially functional solution to the problem that satisfies a range of the basic objectives
for the proposed solution
• used a range of the programming facilities of the language
• demonstrated an understanding of the more important tools and techniques available to them
• created a simple data model involving several linked data structures. Better candidates will have
made use of arrays of at least two dimensions.
• produced a solution with a clear structure. The code includes appropriate annotation for the
majority of key components.
• made use of routines such as linear searches and mathematical calculations
• provided evidence of the use of basic validation
• used appropriate identifiers for many variables and data structures. Better candidates will have
made use of self-documenting identifiers.
• provided evidence of the completed user interface with a description of the features used to make it
largely fit for audience and purpose.

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Band Software Development – AO3.1b
Max 25 marks
1 1-6 marks
The candidate has:
• reworked the prototype in light of some of the feedback.
• produced a partially functional solution to the problem that satisfies some of the basic objectives for
the proposed solution.
• used some of the programming facilities of the language but has demonstrated a limited
understanding of the tools and techniques available to them
• made use of basic data structures with simple data types. Better candidates will have made use of
single dimension arrays.
• produced a solution that may be linear with some efficient code. Better candidates may have
included some appropriate annotation of code.
• provided little or no evidence of validation
attempted to document the variables and actual data structures. Better candidates may have made
an attempt to use appropriate identifiers.
• provided evidence of the user interface with a limited description of its features

0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 36

Band Developmental Testing – AO3.1c

Max 5 marks
3 4-5 marks
The candidate has:

• provided evidence of comprehensive testing at each stage of the development of the

solution to the chosen problem
• provided evidence of all problems encountered and fully justified and evidenced the
actions taken to overcome these problems.

2 3 marks
The candidate has:

• provided evidence of testing at most stages of the development of the solution to the
chosen problem
• provided evidence of problems encountered during development and described and
evidenced the actions taken to overcome these problems.

1 1-2 marks
The candidate has:

• provided limited evidence of testing during the development of the solution to the
chosen problem
• provided limited evidence of problems encountered during development and the actions
taken to remedy the errors in coding.

0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

Band Testing – AO3.1c

Max 10 marks
3 8-10 marks
The candidate has:

• produced a comprehensive plan for testing all areas of the system

• made use of a wide range of appropriate testing methods
• made use of test data including typical, extreme and invalid data where appropriate
• presented all results with detailed and informed commentaries and included specific
suggestions to refine the system.
2 4-7 marks
The candidate has:

• produced a test plan for testing most areas of the system

• made use of a range of testing methods
• made use of test data to test all parts of the system
• presented results with suitable commentaries and suggestions for possible
improvements to the system.
1 1-3 marks
The candidate has:

• produced a test plan for testing the main functions of the system
• made use of more than one type of data in the testing process
• presented results with comments and made limited suggestions for possible
improvements to the system.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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 A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 37

Band Evaluation – AO3.1c

Max 15 marks
3 11-15 marks
The candidate has:

• produced a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of the programming language and

justified the tools and techniques used
• compared and contrasted the completed system with similar commercially available
systems
• identified good features and shortcomings of the completed solution and described
significant potential improvements that could be made to improve its effectiveness
• evaluated their own strengths and weaknesses in the design and development of the
system
• described specific changes of approach that would be adopted in future to avoid
problems experienced during the project
• produced a well-structured and clearly expressed review. Specialist terms have been
used with ease and accuracy. Work is error free.
2 6-10 marks
The candidate has:

• described the effectiveness of the tools and features of programming language

used
• compared the completed system with similar commercial available systems
• identified the main good features of the solution and described appropriate potential
improvements
• described strengths and weaknesses in own performance in the design and
creation of the system
• produced an account of problems arising out of the project work and suggested
strategies for improvement their own performance
• produced a review that communicates meaning. Technical vocabulary has been
used accurately. The work contains few errors.
1 1-5 marks
The candidate has:

•produced a limited description of the tools and features of the programming

language used
• made limited comparisons with a similar commercial system
• identified several possible improvements
• produced an account of own performance in the design and creation of the system
• produced an account of problems arising out of the project work
• produced a review that conveys meaning with limited technical detail. There is
limited use of specialist vocabulary. The work may contain inaccuracies.
0 0 marks
Response not credit worthy or not attempted.

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A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 38

Mathematical skills

Computer science uses mathematics to express its computational laws and processes.

This specification in computer science contains a minimum of 10% mathematics as required

by the regulator. Students are asked to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding
and skills of computational processes and problem-solving in both theoretical and practical
ways. The following list shows the key concepts that will be common to all specifications in
computer science.

For each topic below, while the concepts are Level 2 (though not all appear in GCSE
Mathematics specifications), students will, however, be expected to apply the skills they
acquire in a Level 3 context.

Topics:

• Boolean algebra
• Comparison of complexity of algorithms
• Number representations and bases

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 A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE 39

Note 1
In general, the diagram conventions used will be those described in the current edition of
The BCS Glossary of ICT and Computing Terms (published BCS Learning and Development
Ltd).

In the case of data flow diagrams, where no generally accepted symbols currently exist,
candidates should be familiar with the following symbols, used in a number of current GCE
textbooks:

Data
Store

External Data Flow Process

Entity

Note 2
The following symbols are used for entities and relationships.

Entity

One-To-Many Relationship

Many-To-Many Relationship

Note 3
Where Von Neumann architecture is represented diagrammatically, the following symbols
are used.

Arithmetic logic unit

Register

Control unit

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Note 4

Structured Query Language.

Candidates should be familiar with the following commands and operators:

• CREATE TABLE …
• PRIMARY KEY
• NOT NULL
• Int
• Char(n)
• Numeric(m,n)
• DateTime
• INSERT INTO … VALUES
• SELECT … FROM … WHERE …
• SELECT * FROM … WHERE …
• IN
• AND
• OR
• ORDER BY
• GROUP BY
• UPDATE … SET …
• =
• >
• >=
• <
• <=
• <>

Candidates should also be familiar with the use of sub queries and parentheses.

Note 5

The following symbols are used in flowcharts:

Start / Stop procedure

Decision box

Input / Output

Operation

Connector

Store / Subroutine call

Flow of control

AS Computer Science Specification for teaching from 2015/GH

28 10 14

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