Exam technique guide for A-Level CS

Downloaded: 18

Last edit: 10 March 2026

Resource Type Teaching Resources, Example Programs and Live Lessons, Planning Assessments and Guidance, References, Guidebooks and Handbooks

Curriculum Topic Algorithmic Thinking, Computational Thinking, Computer Networks, Computer Systems, Programming

English Key Stage 14-16 years (KS4), 16-18 Years (KS5)

Awarding Bodies AQA, OCR, Pearson / Edexcel

I've put together a 13-part exam technique guide aimed at A-Level (AQA, OCR, EDEXCEL, CIE) and IB CS students and wanted to share it with the CAS community before the exams arrive.

It covers the areas I've seen students consistently lose marks on year after year: command word interpretation, how different mark schemes actually work, pseudocode discipline (with board-specific syntax for OCR, AQA, CIE, Edexcel and IB), edge case handling, question type walkthroughs, precision of language, and a final pre-submission checklist. All of it grounded in examiner reports rather than generic exam advice.

It's completely free to download. I have attched a sample of the document here. The full resource can be accessed at: www.codebash.co.uk/resources

Happy to hear any feedback from those who use it with students. If it helps even one student avoid a silly mark loss in June, it's done its job.

If anything is off for your board, let me know.