OCR A Level Computer Your notes
Science
Structuring Your Responses
Contents
How to Answer Extended Response Questions
How to Answer Programming Questions
How to Answer Trace Table Questions
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How to Answer Extended Response Questions
Your notes
What are extended response questions?
9 or 12 mark questions which can appear in both paper 1 and paper 2
They test three Assessment Objectives:
AO1 Knowledge: facts, definitions and key concepts
AO2 Application: linking knowledge to the given scenario
AO3 Analysis and Evaluation: explaining impacts, consequences and balanced
reasoning
To achieve top marks, you must show:
A balanced discussion that covers different sides of the argument
A sustained and logical chain of reasoning
Key command words
Command words tell you exactly what the examiner wants you to do in the question
They are important because each word has a specific meaning that changes how you
should answer
Using the wrong style of answer, for example, describing when asked to evaluate, will
lose marks even if your knowledge is correct
They help you structure your response in the right way, for example, giving balanced
arguments when asked to discuss
Understanding them ensures you can show your knowledge, application and
evaluation clearly and reach the higher mark bands
Command Meaning
Word
Analyse Separate information into components and identify characteristics;
discuss pros and cons and make reasoned comments.
Compare Give similarities and differences between two or more items or situations,
referring to each throughout
Discuss Offer a balanced review with a range of arguments or factors. Support
with evidence and reach a clear conclusion
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Evaluate Assess strengths and weaknesses. Make judgments against criteria,
considering implications and limitations
Your notes
Outline Give a brief account or summary of the main points
Suggest Offer an opinion for a particular course of action on an event or issue
Step 1: Understand and define AO1 knowledge
Read the question carefully and identify the command word, such as discuss or evaluate
Identify the key topic, for example, students bringing their own devices
Begin with a clear definition or explanation of the key terms
Example
A school asks its students to bring in their own electronic devices, such as tablets, laptops or
mobile phones, to use in lessons instead of purchasing new equipment.
Discuss the issues surrounding students bringing their own devices. Include in your
discussion ethical issues, legal issues and privacy issues.
Step 2: First point with the chain of reasoning AO2
and AO3
Make a specific point about one issue, such as ethical, legal or privacy
Use the X → Y → Z method
X is the starting factor or point
Y is the effect
Z is the consequence or impact
Example
One ethical issue is inequality. X Some students may not be able to afford good devices. Y
This creates unfairness in learning opportunities. Z As a result, some students could be
disadvantaged academically compared to wealthier peers.
Step 3: Balanced counterpoint AO3
Present the opposite perspective to show balance
Support it with reasoning and examples
Example
However, BYOD can reduce school costs. X Schools save money for other resources. Y This
may improve learning overall. Z Therefore, all students could benefit indirectly.
Step 4: Add another issue for depth
Cover a second issue, such as privacy or legality
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Use the same structure of a point plus a chain of reasoning, plus a counterpoint
Example
Privacy could be at risk if students' personal devices are hacked. X This could expose Your notes
sensitive information. Y This leads to safeguarding risks for pupils. Z Schools can reduce this
risk with strict security policies and training.
Step 5: Wrap up
You should try to include a separate conclusion paragraph
Ensure your final paragraph shows balance and brings together the points made above
Evaluation marks are earned throughout the discussion as well as in the conclusion
Top tips for full marks
Be specific and always link points directly to the scenario
Use realistic examples to strengthen arguments
Always show both sides of an argument
Use linking words such as this leads to, as a result, consequently or therefore
Spend about 10 to 12 minutes on an 8-mark question
Practise with past paper questions to perfect the structure
Example exam question and model
answer
Computers are now used in almost every part of daily life, from education and healthcare to
entertainment and business. However, producing, using and disposing of computers can
have significant effects on the environment.
Discuss the positive and negative impacts computers are having on the environment.
Model 9-mark answer
Negative impacts of computers on the environment
1. Production and transport
The materials used to produce computers, such as metals, plastics, and rare earth
elements, can have a negative environmental impact. The extraction and processing of
these materials can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution. Additionally,
transporting computers from manufacturing plants to consumers contributes to carbon
emissions, which harms the environment.
2. E-waste and disposal
Many digital devices have a short lifespan, and as technology advances rapidly, older
devices become obsolete. These devices often end up in landfills or are sent to less
economically developed countries where they are dismantled for valuable materials.
The disposal of computers is a major issue, especially since they contain harmful
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substances like mercury, lead, and cadmium. Improper disposal can lead to pollution
and health hazards for those handling e-waste.
3. Energy consumption Your notes
As more people use digital devices, the demand for electricity increases. Computers,
mobile phones, and other devices all need to be powered or charged, contributing to
higher electricity consumption. This increased demand for energy leads to greater
reliance on fossil fuels, which results in higher levels of carbon emissions and global
warming.
Positive impacts of computers on the environment
1. Energy efficiency and automation
Computers are used to automate systems like central heating and energy
management. Smart systems can optimise energy usage, reducing waste and lowering
electricity consumption. For example, automated systems can adjust heating based on
room occupancy or time of day, reducing the need to use energy constantly and thus
lowering overall energy consumption.
2. Reduction in paper usage
One of the most significant environmental benefits of computers is the reduction in
paper usage. Many businesses and individuals now rely on digital documents, emails,
and online bill payments. This paperless approach reduces the demand for paper,
leading to fewer trees being cut down and less pollution from paper production. The
widespread adoption of digital communication and documentation helps conserve
natural resources.
3. Less need for physical media
Advances in digital storage have eliminated the need for physical media such as CDs,
DVDs, and USB drives. This has reduced the need for plastic production, which is harmful
to the environment. The shift to cloud storage and digital distribution of media, such as
music and movies, reduces the production of physical products and the waste
associated with their disposal.
4. Remote work and reduced commuting
Computers have made it easier for people to work from home, reducing the need to
commute. This has a significant environmental benefit: fewer people driving to work
means less traffic congestion, less pollution, and a decrease in carbon emissions. The
ability to communicate remotely reduces the demand for transportation and the
environmental impact associated with commuting.
5. Data analysis and efficiency
Computers can be used to analyse large sets of data to improve efficiency in various
sectors. For example, businesses can use data mining to identify areas where energy
consumption can be reduced or waste can be minimised. By improving operational
efficiency, computers can help reduce the overall environmental impact of industries.
Evaluation
While computers have several positive impacts on the environment, such as reducing paper
usage, promoting energy efficiency, and enabling remote work, their environmental impact
cannot be ignored. The production of digital devices consumes resources and energy, and
the disposal of e-waste remains a significant problem. However, technological
advancements are being made to address these issues, such as designing more energy-
efficient devices, improving recycling methods, and creating systems to reduce the need
for physical materials.
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On the positive side, the reduction in paper usage and physical media production
significantly benefits the environment. Computers also enable more efficient use of
resources through automation and data analysis. These benefits are particularly important Your notes
as the world moves towards more sustainable practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while computers do have some negative environmental impacts, particularly
in terms of energy consumption and e-waste, the positive impacts they have on reducing
paper usage, improving efficiency, and enabling remote work are significant. The key to
mitigating the environmental impact of computers lies in improving recycling practices,
reducing energy consumption, and designing more sustainable devices. Therefore, I believe
that the overall impact of computers on the environment can be positive if appropriate
measures are taken to address the challenges they present.
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How to Answer Programming Questions
Your notes
How do I answer an OCR A Level
Computer Science programming
question?
Programming questions can appear in both papers
Paper 1 may include questions that test understanding and interpretation of algorithms
and computational thinking principles
Paper 2 is the dedicated component for assessing the ability to actively design, write,
test, and refine programs
Section A questions can be answered using either pseudocode, flowcharts, bullet
points, OCR Exam Reference Language or a high-level programming language
Section B questions must be answered using either OCR Exam Reference
Language or a high-level programming language
To attempt a programming question that requires the writing of a new program, you
should always ask yourself the following five key questions:
What are the inputs?
What are the outputs?
What processes take place?
What constructs will I need to use?
Do I need to use subprograms?
Example
Question
Octal is a base 8 number system.
To convert a denary number to base 8:
the denary value is divided by 8 and the remainder is stored
the integer value after division is divided by 8 repeatedly until 0 is reached
the remainders are then displayed in reverse order.
Example 1:
Denary 38
38 / 8 = 4 remainder 6 6
4 / 8 = 0 remainder 4 4
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Octal = 46
Example 2: Your notes
Denary 57
57 / 8 = 7 remainder 1 1
7 / 8 = 0 remainder 7 7
Octal = 71
Write an algorithm to:
take a denary value as input from the user
convert the number to octal
output the octal value.
You do not need to validate the input from the user.
Write your algorithm using pseudocode or program code.
[6 marks]
What are the inputs? What are the outputs? What processes take place?
take a denary value as input from the user
the denary value is divided by 8 and the remainder is stored
the integer value after division is divided by 8 repeatedly until 0 is reached
the remainders are then displayed in reverse order.
output the octal value.
What constructs will I need to use?
Sequence
Calculating the remainder after division by 8 (MOD)
Calculating integer after division by 8 (DIV)
Ensure remainders are displayed in reverse order
Iteration
the number of divisions needed depends on the size of the input
You don’t know how many remainders to generate in advance
You need a repeat-until-0 process, which is best represented by a WHILE loop
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Do I need to use subprograms?
Your notes
This program can be written without the need to use a subprogram (function or
procedure)
Answer
Pseudocode
number = input("Enter a number")
endResult = ""
while number != 0
remainder = number MOD 8
number = number DIV 8
endResult = str(remainder) + str(endResult)
endwhile
print endResult
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How to Answer Trace Table Questions
Your notes
How do I answer an OCR A Level
Computer Science trace table question?
What is a trace table?
Trace tables are used to follow the values of variables as a program runs
These questions test your ability to simulate code line by line and accurately record
outputs
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You must read the code carefully and simulate it exactly as a computer would
Use a pencil and annotate each step
The most common mistake is skipping or misreading a line
What you need to know
You may be asked to complete a trace table, explain a trace table, or spot errors in
output
These questions are normally worth 3–6 marks
Most commonly appear in questions involving iteration, selection, and arrays/lists
In most cases, the structure of the table is provided, your task is to complete the
missing values
Command words to look out for
Command word What it means
Complete Fill in the table with correct values
State Give the value/output/result (usually a single word or number)
Explain Say why something happens or changes in the program
Identify Spot where something goes wrong or doesn't match expectations
How to tackle a trace table question
Follow these steps to answer trace table questions accurately:
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1. Read the code carefully
Understand what each line does Your notes
Look out for loops, IF statements, and variable changes
2. Use the trace table provided
Use the headings and row count to guide how many iterations or steps are needed
3. Work line by line
Simulate the program in your head or on paper
Update each variable after every change
4. Watch out for variable resets
Variables declared inside loops often reset every time, don’t carry the wrong value
across iterations
5. Show the final output clearly
If you're asked for the output, make sure it’s written exactly as it would appear on screen
Worked example
Question
This algorithm checks whether a list of numbers contains a duplicate:
01 numList ← [4, 7, 2, 7]
02 foundDuplicate ← False
03 FOR i ← 0 TO LENGTH(numList) - 2
04 FOR j ← i + 1 TO LENGTH(numList) - 1
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN
06 foundDuplicate ← True
07 ENDIF
08 NEXT j
09 NEXT i
10 OUTPUT foundDuplicate
Complete the trace table below when the algorithm is run
You may not need to use all the rows in the table
Line number i j numList[i] numList[j] foundDuplicate Output
1. Read the code carefully
Line 1: Sets up a list of numbers: [4, 7, 2, 7]
Line 2: A flag called foundDuplicate starts as False
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Lines 3–9: Nested loops compare every pair of numbers in the list
If a match is found, foundDuplicate becomes True Your notes
Line 10: The final result is printed True if a duplicate was found, otherwise False
2. Use the trace table provided
The trace table has six rows, showing all the important iterations of the loop and when
foundDuplicate changes
Some rows may have repeated values if no changes happen
If you reach the end and only used 2 or 3 rows, go back, you’ve likely missed a loop
iteration
3. Work line by line
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN 4 ≠ 7, so no change
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN 4 ≠ 2, so no change
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN 4 ≠ 7, so no change
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN 4 ≠ 7, so no change
05 IF numList[i] = numList[j] THEN 7 = 7 → set foundDuplicate = True
10 OUTPUT foundDuplicate End of loops → output result
4. Watch out for variable resets
Each loop changes both i and j
i increases from 0 to 2
j starts at i + 1 and goes up to 3
5. Show the final output clearly
10 OUTPUT foundDuplicate True
Final answer
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Your notes
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You don’t need to fill in Line 06 (where the assignment happens), just show the
change in foundDuplicate
Use a dash (–) when a column isn’t relevant (like i, j after the loops finish)
Add a comment column in the margin if you're writing by hand, it helps show your
thought process if you make a mistake
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