0478 · Cambridge IGCSE
0478/11
Computer Systems
Computer Science · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.4 / 5
150
210 min
Programming concepts
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In Paper 11, the highest-yielding topics were Automated Systems & Robotics (14 marks) and Methods of Error Detection (13 marks).
Students who mastered the precise step-by-step handshake mechanism of a positive ARQ check alongside odd parity easily secured an 8-mark chunk.
Conversely, standard marks were frequently dropped in the 4-mark FDE diagram question due to vague register assignments (e.g., confusing MAR and MDR routes).
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Theoretical Knowledge
Weight: 10100%Mathematical
Weight: 880%Problem Solving & Reasoning
Weight: 770%Solving &
Weight: 660%Syntactical Pseudocode
Weight: 550%Trace Table Processing
Weight: 330%Processes
Weight: 110%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 71% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 25% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 21% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 17% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Convert” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Programming concepts
32 marks this session
Robotics
14 marks this session
Methods of error detection
13 marks this session
Algorithm design and problem-solving
12 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Algorithm design and problem-solving
Programming concepts
Arrays
Cyber security
Robotics
Methods of error detection
The internet and the world wide web
Data storage
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 Computer Systems:
Paper 21 Algorithms, Programming and Logic:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Programming concepts
32 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRobotics
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMethods of error detection
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgorithm design and problem-solving
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In Paper 11, the highest-yielding topics were Automated Systems & Robotics (14 marks) and Methods of Error Detection (13 marks).
- 2Message
Students who mastered the precise step-by-step handshake mechanism of a positive ARQ check alongside odd parity easily secured an 8-mark chunk.
- 3Message
Conversely, standard marks were frequently dropped in the 4-mark FDE diagram question due to vague register assignments (e.g., confusing MAR and MDR routes).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Computer Science
In Paper 11, the highest-yielding topics were Automated Systems & Robotics (14 marks) and Methods of Error Detection (13 marks). Students who mastered the precise step-by-step handshake mechanism of a positive ARQ check alongside odd parity easily secured an 8-mark chunk. Convers
In Paper 11, the highest-yielding topics were Automated Systems & Robotics (14 marks) and Methods of Error Detection (13 marks).
Students who mastered the precise step-by-step handshake mechanism of a positive ARQ check alongside odd parity easily secured an 8-mark chunk.
Conversely, standard marks were frequently dropped in the 4-mark FDE diagram question due to vague register assignments (e.g., confusing MAR and MDR routes).
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
In Paper 11, the highest-yielding topics were Automated Systems & Robotics (14 marks) and Methods of Error Detection (13 marks). Students who mastered the precise step-by-step handshake mechanism of a positive ARQ check alongside odd parity easily secured an 8-mark chunk. Conversely, standard marks were frequently dropped in the 4-mark FDE diagram question due to vague register assignments (e.g., confusing MAR and MDR routes).
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 Computer Systems:
Paper 21 Algorithms, Programming and Logic:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
80% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Coding & Pseudocode Writing
47·5·31%
Long Answer Explanations
34·8·23%
Short Answer / Concept Definitions
31·14·21%
Tracing & Diagrams
(Circuit / FDE / Flowchart)
25·4·17%
Multiple Choice / Match / Tick-box
13·5·9%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Foundation…
0.69 m/minPaper 11 Software, …
0.71 m/minPaper 21 Fundamenta…
0.72 m/minTotal marks
123
Total time
175 min
Avg pace
0.70
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Translators & IDEs
95%95%
Data compression (Lossy vs Lossless)
85%85%
Web Technologies (Cookies & HTTP/HTTPS)
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Answer, Structured/Explain, Calculations / Tables
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.