0478 · Cambridge IGCSE
Computer Science (0478) Exam Tips
Stepping into a Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science exam can feel like entering a maze of precise keywords and strict pseudocode rules. Candidates often lose critical marks not because they lack technical ideas, but because they express them in vague, everyday language. In Paper 1, …
Papers
2
Total marks
150
Time limit
3h 30min
Grade scale
Additional note
Calculator policy
A silent scientific calculator may be used on papers where calculators are permitted (some papers are non-calculator). It must not be graphical or programmable and must hold no stored information.
2
Papers
6
Strategies
6
Mistakes
- Stepping into a Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science exam can feel like entering a maze of precise keywords and strict pseudocode rules. Candidates often lose critical marks not because they lack technical ideas, but because they express them in vague, everyday language. In Paper 1, writing that clock speed is "how fast the computer is" will instantly cost you marks. Top scorers know that the examiner is looking for precision: the number of cycles or instructions processed per second. Knowing exactly where the marks hide and how to communicate with examiner-level accuracy is the master key to achieving an A*.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.