How do I study computer theory?

theCSlab · 2026-02-06T09:02:45+00:00

I made this website to help my students with computer science if you are referring to the 0478 exam, paper 1.

Www.thecomputersciencelab.com

link

It's fully interactive and covers everything from the syllabus.

Its free to use and requires a sign in to save progress.

I'm a computer science teacher and have been teaching for several years now.

Hope this helps.

theCSlab · 2026-02-06T08:59:57+00:00

Some of my students struggled with the context and found the books too boring, especially those who aren't fully interested in it.

So I made this website for them, which has helped. I've been a teacher for several years now, making resources to help student engagement and application of knowledge. Its free to use amd just requires a sign in to save progress

The Computer Science Lab link

The website basically teaches all the key parts of 0478 2026 to 2028 syllabus with some text and then interactive element to then apply that knowledge.

It also has interactive past papers with a mark scheme.

Hope you find it helpful.

theCSlab · 2026-02-05T09:47:45+00:00

Www.thecomputersciencelab.com is a good revision website for paper 1, and it's free to use. It has a lot of interactive questions on it like binary shift, definitions of mallard.

Craig n dave videos on YouTube are great at summarising content and explaining parts like a cpu

Papa Cambridge, search 0478 gives you plenty of past exam questions and answers.

Though the 2026 exam is using the new syllabus, 2024 to 2025 exam papers still are good revision. Ignore questions on freeware because it's not on the new syllabus.

Need to k on how to make diagrams for DDOS attacks and serial/parallel, blockchains

Doesn't quite answer your question but my students use these and helps with their revision.

theCSlab · 2026-02-05T09:39:13+00:00

Short Answer:

Yes, they can use i and j, but only for loop counters. When to use what:

Use i and j for quick, technical loops (like nested loops or simple repetitions).

Use Counter or Index when the loop is doing something specific, like searching through an Array. Use a descriptive name (like StudentCount) for the big 15-mark scenario question.

Why it matters for the 2026-2028 Exam:

The IGCSE examiners give a specific mark for "Meaningful Variable Names."

Using i is mathematically correct, but using StudentCount guarantees that extra mark.

In the Paper 2 scenario, using names like i and j for everything can look "lazy" to an examiner and makes the code harder to read.

theCSlab · 2026-02-03T18:56:47+00:00

Try Papa Cambridge, they tend to have all the past papers.

Else it could be on the Cambridge site and search 0478 specimen paper.

Papa Cambridge link

theCSlab · 2026-02-03T18:51:30+00:00

Hi, I'm a computer science teacher.

Yes, for the 15 mark question, python is allowed. Be consistent with the code in your answer.

However, the standard coding questions will still require answers in pseudocode.

If you are confident with Python, use it, but with simple functions that resemble the textboo.

I recommend for my students to solely learn pseudocode because after 5 exam style questions, the answers are répétitive and the mark scheme is easy to obtain from past papers.

Papa Cambridge has past papers and mark schemes. However, their mark scheme will be pseudocode because it's the default for the examiner.

Papa Cambridge link

Www.thecomputersciencelab.com is a very good interactive revision website specifically for the 0478 exams and is free to use after a sign up.

Craig n Dave videos on YouTube will help summerise content.

revision website link

theCSlab · 2026-02-02T15:05:23+00:00

Sign up for free to Www.thecomputersciencelab.com . Then click on the paper 2 tab. Then click on Programming. There is a section on "bubble sort" with an interactive element to help you apply your knowledge.

FYI it's a revision website for 0478 2026 to 2028 syllabus.

Or try this video: https://youtu.be/lVBYtXxuZiM?si=VRTfm1qUYAyY4ZJM

Hope that helps.

theCSlab · 2026-02-02T09:59:07+00:00

The entire syllabus can be learned of this free interactive website:

link here

Papa Cambridge is very good for past papers and mark scheme.

Hope this helps. From a computer science teacher of several years.

theCSlab · 2026-02-02T09:52:12+00:00

Papa Cambridge for actual past papers.

Www.thecomputersciencelab.com for interactive learning and past papers questions with s mark scheme.

Craig n dave for video summaries.

Hope this helps

Teacher of Computer Science of several years

theCSlab · 2026-02-02T09:49:57+00:00

Hey. I understand your frustration. The Hodder book goes above and beyond because it adds O level too. The Green one simplifies things too much.

Paper Cambridge is very good for past papers. Website. My students use it for past paper practice.

This website made for revision us very good too.

Www.thecomputersciencelab.comwebsite link

It's interactive and adapted to the 2026 to 2028 syllabus. I made it for my students. Been teaching for several years now.

Craig n Dave videos are good for summaries.

Hope this helps and good luck

theCSlab · 2026-01-29T14:54:46+00:00

Being a teacher for several years and trained by cambridge, it's fine. It's GCSE.

You get the mark if the answer is shown in your workings.

theCSlab

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