KS3 Computing · Using technology well means staying safe, knowing the laws about computers, data and creative work, and asking who technology helps and who it harms.
Evaluate the project against each success criterion, using evidence from the tests and the log.
Explain what works, what does not, and what you would do next, with reasons.
Describe what IGCSE Computer Science and IGCSE ICT cover, and how each is assessed.
Compare the two courses with what you enjoyed and did well in Key Stage 3.
Success criteria
I can say, for each criterion, met, partly met or not met, with a test number as evidence.
I can write one specific next step for our project.
I can explain one difference between Computer Science and ICT.
Key words
Say each word, then read what it means. Every one is in the glossary too.
Digital footprint
The trail of everything you do online.
Phishing
Fake messages that trick people into giving details.
Computer Misuse Act
UK law (1990) that makes hacking and spreading malware crimes.
Data Protection Act
UK law (2018), with UK GDPR, controlling how personal data is used.
Copyright
Automatic legal protection for original creative work.
Open source
Software whose code anyone can see, change and share.
Ethics
AI that is biased because its training data was. Cameras that keep us safe and also watch us. The digital divide: who is left out when everything moves online. Screen time and sleep. Practise arguing both sides.
The explanation
Read it here, or open the study page below to go one step at a time with things to try.
What an evaluation is
An evaluation judges your project against its success criteria. Every judgement needs evidence: a test result or a log entry.
Criterion
Met?
Evidence
Asks 10 questions, one at a time
Met
Test 1: all 10 asked, in order
Accepts only 0 to 255, and asks again if not
Met
Tests 4 to 7: -1, 256, a blank and 'five' were all rejected
Saves the name and score to a file
Partly met
Test 8: it saves, but a name with a comma splits into two columns
Shows the score at the end
Met
Test 9: 7 right answers gave '7 out of 10'
★Remember
'Partly met' is an honest, useful answer. Say exactly which part does not work.
Write it with evidence
For each criterion, write three things: what happened, the evidence, and what you would do next.
e.g.Example
Weak: 'The saving works well.' Strong: 'Saving is partly met. Test 8 shows a name with a comma splits into two columns. Next, I would remove commas from names before saving.'
A good next step:
fixes a real problem from the tests or the feedback;
is specific: it says what to change and how;
could be done in a lesson or two.
!Watch out
Do not write 'everything works' unless every test passed. The tests are your proof.
Key Stage 4: two courses
In Years 10 and 11, computing splits into two separate Cambridge IGCSE courses. Students can take one, both or neither.
An IGCSE is the international version of a GCSE. It is the same level.
Computer Science (0478)
ICT (0417)
What it is about
How computers work, and solving problems with programs
Using software expertly, and the effects of IT on people
What you do
Algorithms, programming in Python, binary, networks and logic gates
Documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and websites
How it is assessed
Written exam papers at the end of Year 11
A theory paper, and practical papers sat on a computer
Coursework
None
None
Suits students who
Enjoy puzzles, logic and making things work
Like making polished documents, data tools and websites
!Watch out
You will take the new Computer Science syllabus, for exams from 2029. It starts with Year 10 in September 2027: that is you. Python 3 is the only language, for lessons and for the exam. Pseudocode is gone. The Years 10 and 11 pages here still follow the older 2026–2028 syllabus, which uses pseudocode.
Choosing well
Neither course is better. They suit different people, and both are useful for many jobs.
Which Year 9 units did you enjoy most, and why?
Do you like fixing a program until it works? Or making something clear and polished?
Look at your three Raid projects. What are you proudest of?
Ask your teacher what each course is like day to day.
Your Raid portfolio from Years 7, 8 and 9 shows what you can do. Bring it to the options talk.
★Remember
Choose for what you enjoy and want to learn, not for what your friends choose.
e.g.Worked example
Rewrite this evaluation with evidence: 'Our quiz is really good and works well. We would add more stuff.'
Take one criterion at a time. Say met, partly met or not met.
Add the evidence: 'Asking 10 questions is met. Test 1 shows all 10 were asked in order.'
Say what is not perfect: 'Saving is partly met. Test 8 shows a comma in a name breaks the file.'
Make the next step specific: 'Next, I would remove commas from names before saving.'
Use the testers' feedback: 'The other guild wished for harder questions. We would add 8-bit numbers next.'