How to Get an A* in A Level Computer Science

Want to know how to get an A* in A Level Computer Science? You're in the right place. This guide reveals proven strategies that go beyond just revision. 

Whether you're aiming for top marks or pushing yourself into the A* bracket, this article will show you what truly sets apart the highest-performing students. From mastering exam technique to thinking like a computer scientist, these tips will give you the edge in both your coursework and final exams.

Key Takeaways

• To get an A* in A Level Computer Science, you must understand your specification in detail and revise every topic actively.

• Build strong programming skills by practising regularly and solving exam-style coding problems under timed conditions.

• Use past papers early to refine your exam technique and improve long-answer responses.

• Maximise your NEA, which is worth 20% of your A Level Computer Science grade.

• Balance theory knowledge with practical application to perform at the highest level.

Know Your A Level Computer Science Spec Inside Out 

Too many students revise without knowing exactly what they need to learn. The first step towards getting an A* in A Level Computer Science is understanding your exam board specification line by line. That means being able to answer these questions for every topic:

• What are the key definitions and vocabulary?

• What kinds of questions are likely to be asked?

• How is each point assessed; is it theory, practical, or both?

Turn each spec point into a quiz question or flashcard. This forces you to actively process the information and identify gaps.

Nail Your Programming Skills

Computer Science is a unique subject; it's not enough to just know theory. To get an A*, you need to be confident, fluent, and fast at programming.

• Practice problem-solving regularly (not just big coursework projects).

• Learn your language's built-in functions and libraries.

• Revisit the basics: loops, subroutines, arrays, file handling, until they’re second nature.

WHILE TRUE

    OUTPUT "Enter a number (-1 to quit): "

    INPUT number

    IF number = -1 THEN

        OUTPUT "Goodbye!"

        BREAK

    ENDIF

    IF number MOD 2 = 0 THEN

        OUTPUT "That number is even."

    ELSE

        OUTPUT "That number is odd."

    ENDIF

ENDWHILE

Use past paper questions with coding tasks. Break them down, solve them by hand, then code the solution. Speed and accuracy count in the real exam.

Master Exam Technique

Even students who understand the content sometimes drop marks because of poor exam technique. Here’s how A* students approach the paper:

• Highlight command words like "explain", "describe", "compare" — they tell you how to answer.

• Plan long answers before you write. Use keywords from the mark scheme.

• Practice timed papers to build exam stamina and reduce stress. Save My Exams offers full OCR A Level Computer Science mock exams so you can practise in real exam conditions, then review your answers using our Smart Mark tool, mark schemes, and solutions.

For long-answer questions, use a structure like PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to stay clear and focused.

Use Active Revision Strategies

If you are aiming for an A* in A Level Computer Science, passive revision will not be enough. Reading notes or watching videos might feel productive, but it rarely builds the depth of understanding needed for top grades.

Instead, focus on active revision strategies:

• Retrieval practice: Regularly test yourself without notes. Write definitions from memory. Trace algorithms by hand.

• Exam-style questions: Apply theory to unfamiliar contexts. Many A* questions require extended reasoning rather than recall.

• Error analysis: When you get a question wrong, don’t just correct it. Work out why you lost marks and how to avoid repeating the mistake. Save My Exams’ Strengths & Weaknesses tool can help to steer your revision effectively.

• Spaced repetition: Revisit complex topics such as recursion, data structures, and networking multiple times across the year.

For a full breakdown of effective A Level Computer Science revision strategies, see our detailed guide on how to revise Computer Science at A Level.

Learning by Teaching Others

Teaching others is one of the best ways to deepen your understanding. If you can explain a concept clearly, you really get it. It’s a process known as the Feynman technique, and it really works! 

Explaining something to others successfully helps to store the concept in your long-term memory and gives you confidence that you’ll be able to explain it in the exam. It also reveals any gaps in your understanding pretty quickly, so that you can fix them. Read our guide to the Feynman Technique to find out more.

Try this:

• Start a revision group and take turns teaching topics.

• Write simplified notes for someone one year below you.

• Record short videos explaining a concept and watch them back critically.

Try explaining recursion to a non-CS friend. If they understand it, you’ve nailed it.

Use coursework to boost your A Level Computer Science grade

Your NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) is a major chance to shine. It’s worth 20% of the overall A Level Computer Science grade across the main UK exam boards. This means your coursework can play a significant role in achieving an A or pushing into the A* range.

An A* overall requires strong performance in both the written exams and the NEA. A high coursework mark gives you a valuable cushion before you sit your final papers, while a weak NEA mark can make reaching an A* much harder.

The NEA is assessed against published mark criteria, which typically focus on:

• Analysing a problem and defining clear requirements

• Designing a structured solution

• Developing a working technical solution

• Testing and refining your program

• Evaluating the effectiveness of your solution

Exact wording varies slightly by exam board, so always use your specification as a checklist when drafting each section.

To maximise your NEA marks:

• Choose a project that allows you to demonstrate technical complexity without becoming unmanageable.

• Justify your design decisions clearly in your documentation.

• Write well-structured, maintainable code with meaningful comments.

• Include systematic testing with evidence.

• Write a thoughtful evaluation that reflects on strengths, limitations, and possible improvements.

Many students lose marks not because their program fails, but because their documentation does not fully meet the assessment criteria.

If you are unsure how the NEA fits within the overall qualification structure, see our guide on how many A Level Computer Science papers there are and how the course is assessed.

Treat your NEA as an opportunity to secure marks early. A strong coursework performance makes achieving an A* significantly more realistic.

Common Mistakes That Stop Students Getting an A* 

Even the most hard-working students can fall into traps that hold them back from achieving an A*. Avoiding these mistakes could be the difference between an A and an A* in A Level Computer Science.

1. Focusing too much on memorisation

While it’s important to know your definitions and theory, Computer Science is not just a memory test. Students who try to rote-learn the content often struggle to apply it in unfamiliar contexts, especially in long-answer or logic-based questions.

Instead of just memorising, focus on applying your knowledge. For example, don’t just learn the definition of a binary search. Code one, trace it by hand, and explain it to someone else. The examiners want to see that you can use what you know, not just repeat it.

2. Leaving programming practice too late

It’s easy to prioritise theory-heavy topics when revising, but programming confidence takes time to build. Students who delay this often panic during the NEA or when faced with programming logic in the exam.

The top students practise programming little and often. Even 15 minutes a day can make a difference. Focus on solving small problems such as string manipulation, file handling, or recursion, and revisit them regularly. Waiting until the NEA deadline or the final term to improve your coding is a common and costly mistake.

3. Ignoring past papers until the end

Too many students treat past papers like a final mock test, something to save for the very end of revision. But they are actually one of your most powerful learning tools and should be part of your preparation from the beginning.

Doing past papers early helps you understand how questions are structured, spot recurring topics, and get familiar with timing and command words. Don’t just do the paper and move on. Mark it using the official mark scheme, analyse where you lost marks, and identify how to improve. Use our Target Tests to focus closely on your weak areas. This kind of active review is what pushes students into the A* range.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get an A* in A Level Computer Science?

Getting an A* in A Level Computer Science is challenging because it requires both strong theory knowledge and confident problem-solving under timed conditions. 

In 2025, 5.9% of A Level Computing entries in England achieved an A* while 24.9% achieved an A or A*, according to JCQ data (opens in a new tab). That means nearly one in four students reached the top grade band. So with consistent, focused preparation, an A* is ambitious but achievable.

How many hours should I revise for A Level Computer Science? 

There is no single “magic number” of hours that guarantees an A*. Revision quality matters more than quantity. 

Students aiming for top grades benefit from regular, focused revision that combines practice questions, active retrieval, and reflection on past papers. For more, see our guide on how long to revise for A Levels. 

Is programming or theory more important for an A* in Computer Science? 

Both programming skills and theoretical understanding are essential for top marks because exams test application as well as knowledge. 

The best-performing students balance their time between coding practice and mastering key concepts so they can apply both under exam conditions.

Final Thoughts

Achieving an A* in A Level Computer Science requires clarity, discipline, and consistent effort across the year. Success depends on understanding the specification in depth, applying knowledge accurately in exams, and developing confident programming skills.

Master the fundamentals, practise under timed conditions, and use your NEA strategically to secure valuable marks. With focused preparation and steady progress, an A* is an ambitious but realistic goal.

References:

Summer 2025 results - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications (opens in a new tab)