How to Revise for A Level Computer Science

Are your exams fast approaching? Has your teacher asked you if you have started revising?  Or, has the realisation that revision is vital in helping you achieve the best possible grade finally dawned?

A Level Computer Science is more complex than GCSE, requiring a deeper understanding of computational thinking, programming, algorithms, and problem-solving. The challenge is not just remembering key terms but mastering problem decomposition, logical reasoning, and coding techniques.

In this article, I’ll explain how to revise A Level Computer Science effectively using proven strategies that helped my students succeed in their exams. Everyone learns differently, so try a range of techniques and discover which ones work best for you.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear plan to improve your understanding, tackle past paper questions with confidence, and feel prepared for exam day.

Revision tactics covered:

• Using past papers effectively

• Active recall with flashcards

• Mapping complex topics with mind maps

• Practising advanced pseudocode and algorithms

• Breaking down mark schemes

• Teaching someone else

• Managing time effectively during the exam

• Understanding command words in exam questions

Using past papers effectively

Past papers are one of the most powerful tools for A Level Computer Science revision. They help you develop familiarity with command words, algorithmic problem-solving, and how computational concepts are assessed.

• Start with untimed practice, answering questions with your notes.

• Progress to timed conditions, mimicking the real exam.

• Use mark schemes to identify how to structure high-mark answers.

• Focus on coding-based questions, as these often require precise syntax and logic.

As A Level requires longer problem-solving questions, pay special attention to algorithm design, use of modularity, and computational thinking tasks.

The most recent papers are always the best place to start, as they give you the best opportunity to work with a paper as close to the real exam as possible.

One activity I used with my students was to go through the last 3–5 exam papers (where available) and categorise each question by topic and sub-topic. This gives you a clear overview of which areas have been covered and which haven’t. It helps you revise with more focus, for example, if questions on floating point binary numbers come up every year, it’s a strong sign it’ll appear again.

Active recall with flashcards

Active recall is an excellent method for reinforcing key definitions, programming syntax, and theoretical concepts.

• Create flashcards covering key A Level topics, including Boolean logic, Big-O notation, and SQL commands.

• Use digital tools for spaced repetition, ensuring difficult concepts are revisited regularly.

• Practise writing out key definitions and testing yourself on how and when to apply them in problem-solving scenarios.

A Level students should go beyond memorising terms, and make sure you understand the application of these concepts.

Ensure you know algorithms for the main data structures, stacks, queues, linked lists, and trees.

Mapping complex topics with mind maps

A Level Computer Science requires making connections between different aspects of computing. Mind maps are a fantastic way to visualise relationships between key topics.

• Start with a central topic (e.g. Computational Thinking or Programming Paradigms).

• Branch out into subtopics such as abstraction, decomposition, recursion, and heuristic problem-solving.

• Add example code snippets or equations where relevant.

This technique is particularly useful for networking protocols, database structures, and system architecture, where multiple components interconnect.

There are excellent online tools, such as MindMeister, if you prefer to create your mind maps digitally and then print them out. Some students enjoy decorating their maps and using creativity to personalise them. Giving your mind map a personal touch helps you take ownership of it, and makes it more likely you'll use it.

Practising advanced pseudocode and algorithms

Unlike GCSE, where programming questions focus on syntax, A Level requires you to develop and analyse algorithms effectively.

• Practise writing pseudocode for sorting/searching algorithms (e.g. Merge Sort, Quick Sort, Dijkstra’s Algorithm).

• Convert pseudocode into real code in Python or another accepted language.

• Compare solutions with mark schemes to ensure correctness.

Key areas to focus on: recursion, backtracking, data structures (linked lists, trees, graphs), and complexity analysis.

You can’t overstate the impact that regularly practising advanced programming skills had on my students’ exam performance. This one skill can be the difference between a good result and a great one.

Teaching someone else

Explaining a concept forces you to organise your thoughts clearly, strengthening your understanding.

• Pair up with a classmate and take turns explaining complex topics.

• Create a short video or blog post explaining a difficult concept (e.g. object-oriented programming principles).

• Use the Feynman Technique: explain the concept simply, identify gaps, and improve your explanation.

This method is particularly effective for databases, object-oriented programming, and algorithmic problem-solving.

My students found this revision technique the most fun, creating short TikTok or YouTube-style videos to teach the class difficult concepts. I kept the best ones and shared them with other year groups to support their revision. It can be incredibly powerful when a tricky topic is explained by a peer in their own words.

Managing time effectively during the exam

Time management is vital in A Level exams, as the questions often require detailed problem-solving and coding logic.

• Allocate time per question based on mark value. For a 2-hour 30-minute paper with 140 marks, aim for 1 mark per minute.

• Use the ‘Two-Pass Rule’: Answer easy questions first, then tackle harder ones.

• Practise under timed conditions with past papers.

In my experience, students who finish early in an exam are often a cause for concern. It’s rare to see someone finish early and still perform well, so using your time wisely is essential. Having a strategy, beyond just starting at the beginning and working through it, can make a big difference. 

Try out different approaches: some students prefer tackling the hardest questions first, while others focus on securing easy marks. Find a method that works for you and practise it using past papers.

Understanding command words in exam questions

A Level Computer Science uses specific command words that indicate the level of depth required in your answers.

• ‘Explain’ requires a detailed description with reasoning.

• ‘Evaluate’ requires discussing both advantages and disadvantages before forming a judgement.

• ‘Compare’ means identifying both similarities and differences.

Using these terms correctly ensures that you match your answer style to the marks available.

Make sure you're revising questions that use a variety of command words, and practise your technique until it becomes second nature. For most command words, you can create writing frames to help structure your answers and ensure you hit all the available marks.

Breaking down mark schemes

Understanding how marks are awarded can help you structure answers more effectively.

• Study past mark schemes to identify common patterns in high-mark answers.

• Highlight key phrases and expected structures to replicate in your responses.

• Practise writing answers that align with examiners’ expectations, particularly for programming questions.

In my classroom, we paid close attention to examiner reports, as they highlight common mistakes and best practices. There are often subtle clues on what examiners would like to see in a response, which could make all the difference when it comes to grade boundaries. 

Final thoughts

Revising for A Level Computer Science requires strategic practice, problem-solving, and deeper understanding. Use a combination of past papers, active recall, algorithm design, and teaching others to improve your knowledge and confidence.

Try these tactics and build a study plan that works for you. Good luck with your revision!

Improve your grades with Save My Exams

At Save My Exams, we’re here to help you get the best possible grade in A Level Computer Science. Our expert resources are designed to make revision straightforward and effective, so you can feel confident going into your exams. Created by experienced teachers and examiners, our materials are tailored to your exam board and packed with everything you need to succeed:

• Clear and concise revision notes that break down tricky topics into easy-to-understand explanations

• Exam-style questions with detailed mark schemes, so you know exactly what examiners are looking for

• Past papers with mark schemes to help you practise and perfect your technique

Whether you're brushing up on the basics, testing your knowledge, or fine-tuning your exam strategy, Save My Exams has everything you need to stay on track. Start revising smarter today and take the stress out of exam prep!

Explore our A Level Computer Science Revision Resources

References

MindMeister

Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR)