AQA A-level Computer Science questions by topic
AQA A-level Computer Science (7517) has two exam papers: Paper 1 is taken on screen and centres on programming and problem solving, while Paper 2 is a written paper on theory such as data representation, computer systems and networking. ALN indexes questions from both papers and groups them by specification section, including data structures, algorithms and the theory of computation.
Step-by-step model answers
235 of 235 questions in this course have a model answer that walks through how to earn each mark, not just what the mark scheme lists. More are added paper by paper.
See a real example- 235 questions
- 18 past papers
- 9 exam series, June 2017 to June 2025
- Paper Analysis for 18 of 18 papers
The Free plan includes a daily allowance of questions with their mark schemes. Questions are shown only after you log in.
Topics in this course
Specification headings, with how many ALN questions are matched to each. A question can test more than one heading.
- 4.1 · Fundamentals of programming66 questions
- 4.2 · Fundamentals of data structures49 questions
- 4.3 · Fundamentals of algorithms21 questions
- 4.4 · Theory of computation38 questions
- 4.5 · Fundamentals of data representation44 questions
- 4.6 · Fundamentals of computer systems21 questions
- 4.7 · Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture25 questions
- 4.8 · Consequences of uses of computing8 questions
- 4.9 · Fundamentals of communication and networking25 questions
- 4.10 · Fundamentals of databases11 questions
- 4.11 · Big Data3 questions
- 4.12 · Fundamentals of functional programming10 questions
- 4.13 · Systematic approach to problem solving50 questions
Most-examined topics
From Paper Analysis: the sub-sections that came up in the largest share of the papers we have analysed. These are past counts, not predictions.
- 4.13.1 · Aspects of software developmentSystematic approach to problem solving · in 9 of 9 analysed Paper 1 papers, about 52 marks when it appears
- 4.1.1 · ProgrammingFundamentals of programming · in 9 of 9 analysed Paper 1 papers, about 51 marks when it appears
- 4.7.3 · Structure and role of the processor and its componentsFundamentals of computer organisation and architecture · in 9 of 9 analysed Paper 2 papers, about 17 marks when it appears
- 4.9.4 · The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocolFundamentals of communication and networking · in 9 of 9 analysed Paper 2 papers, about 15 marks when it appears
- 4.4.1 · Abstraction and automationTheory of computation · in 9 of 9 analysed Paper 1 papers, about 15 marks when it appears
The full breakdown by specification point, with the questions behind each count, is in Paper Analysis on the Basic and Premium plans.
Model answers by paper
Counts update automatically as papers and model answers are added. Recent papers appear once the exam board has released them publicly.
| Paper | With model answers | Questions | Past papers | In Paper Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 120 (100%) | 120 | 9 | 9 of 9 |
| Paper 2 | 115 (100%) | 115 | 9 | 9 of 9 |