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Cambridge IGCSE CS (0478)

Welcome to IGCSE Computer Science 0478 course. This is a two-year program that covers various topics relating to Computer Science including data representation, computer architecture, programming, and more. For a comprehensive look at the syllabus check out the programme here on the Cambridge Website. I have also condensed the exam information below:

The course has a total of two papers that are externally marked:

  • Paper 1 (“Computer Systems”) is a written Theory exam based on section 1 (Units 1-6 below) and is worth 75 marks and is 50% of your final course grade.
  • Paper 2 (“Algorithms, Programming, and Logic) is an exam based on section 2 (Units 7 & 8) which is worth 75 marks and is also 50% of your final grade. Paper 2 requires the study of pre-released material in the form of a case study that must be solved through programming techniques learned in class. This will allow you to apply the skills necessary to the questions in the Paper 2 exam.

To be successful in the IGCSE Computer Science course you must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core principles and concepts of computer science (more specifics in each of the sections below). Be able to analyse and design computational or programming problems among other Computer Science principles. You should also be able to provide solutions to problems by evaluating, making judgements and presenting conclusions.

First, download the Knowledge Audit HERE for the IGCSE to assess your current understanding of the topics, you should then update this continually as you progress through the course. Further down this page, you will find a list of units, some helpful links for the programming section, revision material as well as some tips for good exam techniques (along with some past papers!). Enter each unit by clicking the images. Good luck!

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Course syllabus

Teaching schedule

Course Resources

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  • Unit 1 Data Representation (Enter)
  • Unit 2 Communication & Internet Technologies (Enter)
  • Unit 3 Hardware – incomplete
  • Unit 4 Input & Output Devices – incomplete
  • Unit 5 Software & Security – incomplete
  • Unit 6 Ethics (Enter)
  • Unit 7 Algorithms (Enter)
  • Unit 8 Systems design & Databases (Enter)

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Assessment Structure

Programming & Algorithms

Use these links to assist you with your programming skills

Go to the programming resources section

OneNote Notebook Lessons

Before you begin, I have a complete set of OneNote lessons available for the ICGSE CS course. This allows teachers to distribute full lesson notes to students when delivering the slides and using the workbooks provided. This provides an extra layer of structure for the students in their learning and helps the teacher follow the program more easily.

It has various AfL techniques including extra notes, support resources and challenges for the differentiated classroom.

Click the image to go to the specific unit

unit1dr
Unit 1 Data Representation
unit2net
Unit 2 Internet Technologies
unit3hw
Unit 3 Hardware
unit4inout
Unit 4 Input & Output Devices
unit5sw
Unit 5 Software & Security
unit6ethic
Unit 6 Ethics
unit7algo
Unit 7 Algorithms & Problem Solving
unit8
Unit 8 Sys Design & Databases

IGCSE CS Flashcards All Sets

Lesson Worksheets

Answer Booklets for unit worksheets (requires a password so ask your teacher)

Other

Programming Concepts Overview

Exam Technique

Pro Tip: Complete as many past papers as you can in the lead up to your exams!

Here are some specimen samples from the Cambridge Website to get you started: Paper 1 / Paper 2 (click here for more, you will need a password so email Mr. T at teach@mrteasdale.com for this)

Choose a past paper question. First, you need to find a past paper question to answer (and the mark scheme). Check them out here. Tip: Spend some time printing off all past paper questions and filing them neatly so you’ve got them to hand.

Revise. Set a timer and spend 20 minutes revising what you need to know to answer the question you’ve chosen.

Do the question. Set the timer again for 20 minutes and answer the past paper question you chose.

Mark your answer. Use the mark scheme (you will have to find this on your own using Google) If you really want to do well this is a very important step. In your exams, you need to be able to think like an examiner i.e. what key vocabulary and structures they are looking for. Remember the command terms (find them here). Marking your own work is an essential skill if you’re going to do this.

Get feedback. This is where I come in – If you’re unsure of how accurate your marking is or you want to know how you can improve you need to show your work to me. Asking for feedback can help improve the quality of your answers. This step is another crucial aspect to developing your exam technique (and therefore your marks) during the revision period.