OCR · A Level · H446
OCR A Level Computer Science past papers (H446)
Free guide to OCR A Level Computer Science H446 past papers. Paper 1 (Computer systems), Paper 2 (Algorithms and programming) and how to score marks on the extended-response questions.
Go to official OCR past papers →Paper structure
Paper 1 — Computer systems
2h 30m written paper on processors, software, exchanging data and legal/ethical issues.
Paper 2 — Algorithms and programming
2h 30m written paper on data structures, algorithms and problem-solving.
NEA — Programming project
Independent project. Not covered in past papers.
Topics that come up most
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Software and software development
- Exchanging data (networks, databases, web technologies)
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
- Elements of computational thinking
- Problem solving and programming
- Algorithms
Tutor's revision tips
- 1
Paper 1 has 9-mark 'levels-of-response' questions. Plan a two-minute skeleton before you start writing — examiners look for balance and structure.
- 2
Learn Dijkstra's and A* by working through the tables on paper; questions almost always test the trace, not just the definition.
- 3
For OOP questions, learn to write a small class with inheritance in your chosen language and explain encapsulation in one sentence.
Where to download the papers
All past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for this specification are published free of charge by OCR on their official assessment page. Always download the latest version — older papers may reference retired content.
Official OCR assessment resources →Other A Level boards
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