Exam Rules & Administration

Crucial administrative, exam-technique, and language-specific requirements.

1. Assessment Structure & Rules

  • Paper Weighting: Component 1 (Systems) and Component 2 (Algorithms & Programming) are both 1 hour 30 minutes long, worth 80 marks each, and carry a exactly 50% weighting.
  • No Calculators: Students are strictly not permitted to use a calculator. You must be able to perform binary addition, shifts, and capacity multiplication manually.
  • The 8-Mark Question: Component 1 features exactly one 8-mark extended response question testing a sustained line of reasoning (usually related to the 1.6 Impacts of Technology unit).

2. Component 2: Section A vs Section B

  • Section A: Tests logical structure. You can answer using any format you wish: natural English, flowcharts, bullet points, pseudocode, or high-level code.
  • Section B: Tests the ability to design, write, test, and refine. You MUST use either OCR Exam Reference Language (ERL) or a high-level programming language (like Python).
Examiner's Eye (The "Pseudocode Trap") Answers written in vague pseudocode, natural English, or bullet points in Section B will not be awarded marks for precision. Minor syntax errors (like missing a colon) will not be heavily penalised, but fundamental language rules must be followed consistently.

3. OCR Exam Reference Language (ERL)

Even if you code in Python, you must recognise OCR's specific ERL syntax if it appears in an exam paper.

  • String Methods: .substring(x, i), .left(i), .right(i), .upper, .lower
  • ASCII Casting: ASC(character) to denary, and CHR(integer) to character.
  • File Handling: open("file.txt") and newFile("file.txt")
  • Random Numbers: random(1, 6) for integers, random(1.0, 10.0) for reals.

4. Practical Programming Requirement

  • The New Rule: The old J276 NEA coursework has been entirely removed, replaced by a mandatory "Practical Programming Task".
  • Administration: All students must be given the formal opportunity to design, write, test, and refine a program using a high-level language during class time.
  • Strict Compliance: There is no formal coursework grading, but the Head of Centre MUST submit a signed "Practical Programming Statement" to OCR confirming this took place. Failure to do so can result in a malpractice investigation for the entire school.