COMPUTER-SCIENCE · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
COMPUTER-SCIENCE/11
Principles of Computer Science
Computer Science · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
80
120 min
Algorithms and Flowcharts
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
80
Duration
120 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification.
While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the paper demands high precision in mathematical calculations (specifically image size expressions) and logical design (flowchart drawing).
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.
Problem Solving & Reasoning
Weight: 9100%Solving &
Weight: 889%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 778%Technical description
Weight: 667%Recall & Understanding
Weight: 444%Classifi
Weight: 333%Socio-
Weight: 222%Ethical
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
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 “Give” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Emerging trends, issues and impact (The bigger picture)
12 marks this session
Algorithms
11 marks this session
Networks
10 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
Develop code (Programming)
Algorithms
Networks
Algorithms (Problem solving)
Constructs (Programming)
Emerging trends, issues and impact (The bigger picture)
Binary
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science:
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
Emerging trends, issues and impact (The bigger picture)
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgorithms
11 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNetworks
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification.
- 2Message
While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the paper demands high precision in mathematical calculations (specifically image size expressions) and logical design (flowchart drawing).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Computer Science
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification. While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the pape
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification.
While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the paper demands high precision in mathematical calculations (specifically image size expressions) and logical design (flowchart drawing).
- Total marks
- 80
- Duration
- 120 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification. While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the paper demands high precision in mathematical calculations (specifically image size expressions) and logical design (flowchart drawing).
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science:
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.
81% 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.
Short / Medium Open-Response
65·29·81%
Multiple-Choice / Matching
9·6·11%
Extended Open-Response
6·1·8%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Question 1 (Network
0.50 m/minQuestion 2 (Hardwar
0.67 m/minQuestion 3 (Represe
0.67 m/minQuestion 4 (Logic,
0.65 m/minQuestion 6 (Flowcha
0.68 m/minTotal marks
57
Total time
88 min
Avg pace
0.65
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.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Logic Circuit Design (NAND, XOR, and Simplification)
85%85%
Huffman Coding & Tree Construction
80%80%
Socio-ethical and Environmental Impacts of e-waste
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
This paper presents a fair but rigorous test of theoretical principles, aligning well with the mid-tier difficulty level of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specification. While direct recall questions on hardware and network protocols offer accessible marks, the paper demands high precision in mathematical calculations (specifically image size expressions) and logical design (flowchart drawing).
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 80
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.