COMPUTER-SCIENCE-1CP2 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)
COMPUTER-SCIENCE-1CP2/21
Paper 2
Computer Science · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
150
210 min
Develop code
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers.
Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and network questions.
Paper 2 (Application of Computational Thinking) continued its reputation as a formidable coding assessment, testing students' ability to translate design specifications directly into Python without the aid of IDE auto-completion for complex logic.
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: 9100%Mathematical
Weight: 778%Algorithmic Translation
Weight: 667%Syntax & Coding Precision
Weight: 444%Accuracy Inference round
Weight: 333%Programming
Weight: 222%Design &
Weight: 111%
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 79% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 61% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 31% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 23% of maximum mark
Level 2
Approx. 14% 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
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
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 “Give” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Develop code
65 marks this session
Networks
12 marks this session
Binary
11 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
Develop code
Algorithms
Networks
Data types and structures
Data representation
Binary
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science:
Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking:
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
Develop code
65 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNetworks
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBinary
11 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers.
- 2Message
Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and network questions.
- 3Message
Paper 2 (Application of Computational Thinking) continued its reputation as a formidable coding assessment, testing students' ability to translate design specifications directly into Python without the aid of IDE auto-completion for complex logic.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Computer Science
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers. Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and networ
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers.
Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and network questions.
Paper 2 (Application of Computational Thinking) continued its reputation as a formidable coding assessment, testing students' ability to translate design specifications directly into Python without the aid of IDE auto-completion for complex logic.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers. Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and network questions. Paper 2 (Application of Computational Thinking) continued its reputation as a formidable coding assessment, testing students' ability to translate design specifications directly into Python without the aid of IDE auto-completion for complex logic.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science:
Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking:
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.
73% 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.
Practical Coding
75·6·50%
Short Answer & Mathematical Construction
56·25·37%
Flowchart / Diagram Construction
9·2·6%
Extended Response
6·1·4%
Multiple Choice
4·4·3%
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 1 Question 1 …
0.84 m/minPaper 1 Question 2 …
0.82 m/minPaper 1 Question 3 …
0.81 m/minPaper 1 Question 4 …
0.86 m/minPaper 1 Question 5 …
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Question 1 …
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Question 2 …
0.50 m/minPaper 2 Question 3 …
0.60 m/minPaper 2 Question 4 …
0.60 m/minPaper 2 Question 5 …
0.60 m/minTotal marks
134
Total time
191 min
Avg pace
0.70
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Truth tables
90%90%
Data storage and compression
85%85%
Cybersecurity
80%80%
Summer 2024 Examiner Analysis: Navigating Edexcel GCSE 1CP2
The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers. Paper 1 (Principles of Computer Science) remained highly structured and predictable but featured a notable spike in difficulty within the math-heavy data and network questions. Paper 2 (Application of Computational Thinking) continued its reputation as a formidable coding assessment, testing students' ability to translate design specifications directly into Python without the aid of IDE auto-completion for complex logic.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.