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A-Level Computer Science tutor: Cambridge 9618, Edexcel IAL and AQA 7517

Many Gulf British schools teach A-Level Computer Science as Cambridge International 9618. Its four papers include a pseudocode paper at AS and a 2 hour 30 minute practical at A Level, programmed in Python, Java or Visual Basic on a computer without internet. Pearson Edexcel has launched a new International A Level in Computer Science, first taught from September 2026 with first exams in June 2027, which uses Python 3 in two 3-hour practical units. Some UK-curriculum schools use AQA 7517: an on-screen programming exam, a written exam and a programming project worth 20%. Programming fluency and precise theory answers decide the grade.

Facts checked:

At a glance

Cambridge code
9618
Cambridge languages (Paper 4)
Python, Java or Visual Basic (.NET)
Edexcel IAL
New: first exams June 2027, Python 3
AQA code
7517, with a 20% project
Calculators
Not allowed in any Cambridge 9618 paper

Cambridge International 9618 assessment

From the 9618 syllabus for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (version 2, December 2025). AS Level is Papers 1 and 2; A Level is all four.

PaperFormatLength and marksWeighting
Paper 1 Theory FundamentalsWritten, syllabus sections 1 to 81 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks25% of A Level (50% of AS)
Paper 2 Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming SkillsWritten, answers in pseudocode2 hours, 75 marks25% of A Level (50% of AS)
Paper 3 Advanced TheoryWritten, sections 13 to 201 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks25%
Paper 4 PracticalProgram code and test evidence on a computer without internet or email2 hours 30 minutes, 75 marks25%

Paper 4 must be answered in Java (console mode), Visual Basic .NET (console mode) or Python (console mode). Calculators must not be used in any paper. Entries in June and November.

Pearson Edexcel International A Level Computer Science (new)

First teaching September 2026, first International AS exams June 2027, first full International A Level awards from August 2028.

UnitFormatLength and marksWeighting
WCP01 Unit 1: Principles of Computer ScienceWritten or onscreen, topics 1 to 61 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks25% of IAL (50% of IAS)
WCP02 Unit 2: Practical Programming and Problem-solvingPractical on a computer, Python 3 in an IDE3 hours, 80 marks25% of IAL (50% of IAS)
WCP03 Unit 3: Advanced Principles of Computer ScienceWritten or onscreen, topics 11 to 161 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks25%
WCP04 Unit 4: Advanced Practical Programming and Problem-solvingPractical on a computer, Python 3 in an IDE3 hours, 80 marks25%

Units are available in January and June. Pearson's older International A Level in Information Technology (units WIT11 to WIT14) is a different qualification focused on IT, web development and databases.

AQA A-level Computer Science 7517

ComponentFormatLengthWeighting
Paper 1On-screen: short questions and writing, adapting or extending a pre-released skeleton program2 hours 30 minutes40%
Paper 2Written: short and extended answers on theory2 hours 30 minutes40%
Non-exam assessmentProgramming project solving or investigating a practical problem (75 marks)Done in school20%

AQA supports C#, Java, Python 3 and VB.Net. The school chooses the language at the start of the course.

What students find hard

Programming under exam conditions is the biggest gap. Students who can build a project with help from the internet often struggle to write a correct loop, file-handling routine or recursive function from scratch in a timed practical. Cambridge Paper 2 adds a twist: answers must be in Cambridge pseudocode, which has its own conventions, and marks are lost for code that would work in Python but does not follow them.

Theory papers reward exact definitions and worked processes: converting between number bases, two's complement and floating point, tracing algorithms, normalising databases, explaining protocols and drawing logic circuits. Answers that are roughly right but use loose vocabulary lose marks. Students without strong maths often find the binary arithmetic and Boolean algebra the hardest part.

How one-to-one Computer Science lessons run

Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, in LiveTutor's online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. Tutors use the whiteboard for tracing algorithms, number conversions and logic diagrams, and have students share their screen while they write and test code, so the tutor can see exactly where a program goes wrong.

The tutor teaches to your child's board and language: Cambridge pseudocode for Paper 2 and the chosen language for Paper 4, Python 3 for the Edexcel practical units, or the school's language for AQA. Practical sessions use past tasks under time limits; theory sessions use past questions marked against the mark scheme. For AQA projects, the tutor teaches the techniques your child needs while the work itself stays their own.

When to start

  • Year 12, if your child has not studied IGCSE Computer Science or has little programming experience.
  • Before the Cambridge AS papers, for pseudocode and theory practice.
  • Before any practical exam, for timed programming tasks in the exam language.
  • Early in the AQA project, to plan a manageable problem and the techniques it needs.

Common questions

Does my child need IGCSE Computer Science first?

It is not a formal requirement, but students without it need to learn programming basics quickly in Year 12. Some schools set their own entry requirement, so check with the school.

Which programming language should my child learn?

The one their exam uses. For Cambridge 9618 Paper 4 that is Python, Java or Visual Basic as chosen by the school; for the new Edexcel IAL it is Python 3; for AQA it is the language the school picked.

Is Computer Science needed for a computer science degree?

Many universities do not require it but value it. Maths is the subject most often required. Check each university's entry page.

What do Computer Science lessons cost?

$15 a lesson, the same for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.

Is the new Edexcel IAL Computer Science available at my child's school?

It is new from September 2026, so only schools that have chosen it will offer it. Ask the school which qualification and code your child is entered for.

Sources

Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.

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