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COMPUTER-SCIENCE-1CP2 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)

COMPUTER-SCIENCE-1CP2/21

Paper 2

Computer Science · June 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

150

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

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

1

The Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science series presented a well-balanced yet rigorous pair of papers.

2

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.

3

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

Theoretical Knowledge9
Mathematical7
Algorithmic Translation6
Syntax & Coding Precision4
Accuracy Inference round3
Programming2
Design &1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Theoretical KnowledgeTheoreticalKnowledgeMathematicalMathematicalAlgorithmic TranslationAlgorithmicTranslationSyntax & Coding PrecisionSyntax &Coding PrecisionAccuracy Inference roundAccuracyInference roundProgrammingProgrammingDesign &Design &
SkillWeightShare

  • 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

StateFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

IdentifyFrequency: 5

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

ExplainFrequency: 6

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 5

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

GiveFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “Give” questions.

ConstructFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 1

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

DrawFrequency: 1

Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Question 110m / 5 marks

Min per mark: 2

Paper 2 Question 625m / 15 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 2 Question 315m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Paper 1 Question 417m / 12 marks

Min per mark: 1.4

Paper 1 Question 317m / 14 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Paper 1 Question 512m / 10 marks

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

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Develop code

—
62
65
127

Algorithms

36
10
—
46

Networks

11
10
12
33

Data types and structures

16
17
—
33

Data representation

—
12
—
12

Binary

—
—
11
11

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science:

75 marks90 min

Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking:

75 marks120 min

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 Revui

Networks

12 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Binary

11 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Self-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:

75 marks90 min

Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking:

75 marks120 min

Top chapters

Develop code65 marks
Networks12 marks
Binary11 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Input/output4 marks
Programming languages6 marks
Algorithms10 marks
Binary11 marks
Network security2 marks
Software6 marks
Decomposition and abstraction1 marks
Hardware3 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

73% within easy or medium reach

45
65
40
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 65 marksHard: 40 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

State7 times
Identify5 times
Explain6 times
Describe5 times
Give8 times
Construct3 times
Discuss1 times
Draw1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

150Marks

  • 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.

Difficulty →Recurrence % →Develop codeBinaryNetworksSubprogramsData representation

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.520224.520233.82024

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Question 1

0.50 m/min
5
10

Paper 1 Question 2

0.88 m/min
14
16

Paper 1 Question 3

0.82 m/min
14
17

Paper 1 Question 4

0.71 m/min
12
17

Paper 1 Question 5

0.83 m/min
10
12

Paper 2 Question 1

1.00 m/min
10
10

Paper 2 Question 2

1.00 m/min
10
10

Paper 2 Question 3

0.67 m/min
10
15

Paper 2 Question 4

1.00 m/min
15
15

Paper 2 Question 5

1.00 m/min
15
15

Paper 2 Question 6

0.60 m/min
15
25

Total marks

130

Total time

162 min

Avg pace

0.80

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

038751131509 estimated8 estimated7 estimated6 estimated5 estimated4 estimated3 estimated2 estimated1 estimatedU estimated16324663758595105120135150

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.

COMPUTER-SCIENCE-1CP2/21 — Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Computer Science (June 2024) | Revui