536756 Mark Scheme - Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming - June 2018 (J276/02)

Q: What is the purpose of this mark scheme?

It indicates the requirements of the examination and the basis on which marks are awarded. It also clarifies examiner guidance and annotation usage during marking.

Q: How are alternative correct answers handled?

Examiners are instructed to award marks fairly for alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches, reflecting the knowledge and skills demonstrated.

Q: What guidance is given for SQL-related answers in the scheme?

The scheme specifies mark allocation by query bullets and details how capitalization, correct field/table spelling, and quoting (including mistakes such as quoting 0 in a WHERE clause) affect marking.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Riley West

This document provides the marking scheme for the GCSE (9-1) Computer Science unit J276/02, Algorithms and programming, for the June 2018 examination. It explains how examiners award marks for specific question parts, including SQL queries, iteration and selection constructs, and logical reasoning with AND/NOT and OR/NOT gates. Guidance covers acceptance of alternatives, spelling and formatting requirements, treatment of unexpected but correct approaches, and annotation meanings used during marking.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Algorithms and programming (J276/02) - Mark Scheme for June 2018

General guidance for examiners

Annotations and meaning

Question-specific marking guidance

Examples and acceptable alternatives

GCSE (9-1) Computer science Unit J276/02: Algorithms and programming General Certificate of Secondary Education Mark Scheme for June 2018 OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals , Functional Skills, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills. It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the needs of students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society. This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’meeting before marking commenced. All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills demonstrated. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report on the examination. © OCR 2018 Annotations | Annotation | Meaning | | --- | --- | | | Blank page | | | Highlight | | | Off page comment | | | Omission mark | | | Benefit of doubt | | | Cross | | | Follow through | | | Not answered question | | | Benefit of doubt not given | | | Repeat | | | Slash | | | Tick | | | Too vague | | | Zero (big) | | | Noted but no credit given | | Question | | | Answer | Mark | Guidance | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | (a) | | 1 mark per bullet, max 3
􀁸 String
􀁸 Integer / Int
􀁸 Boolean | 3 | Accept text / varchar for string. Do not accept character. Do not accept number/numeric for integer
Accept yes/no, true/false for Boolean. | | 1 | (b) | (i) | 1 mark per bullet, max 2 if not in correct order or additional statements given.
􀁸 SELECT StudentName
􀁸 FROM conduct
􀁸 WHERE Points < 0 | 3 | Capitalisation does not affect the mark.
Spellings of fields, tables must be correct.
Ignore brackets. Ignore quotes around StudentName, Conduct or Points. Mark quotes around 0 in WHERE clause as incorrect.
StudentName must not include space
Accept <= -1 or equivalent for 3rd bullet point. | | 1 | (b) | (ii) | 􀁸 * / star / asterisk | 1 | Wildcard (*) must be clearly identified as the answer.
Do not allow any other SQL statements alongside this unless this is given as an example. | | 1 | (c) | | 1 mark per bullet, max 4
􀁸 Selection(IF) used
􀁸 Comparing studentdata[3]
􀁸 with “TRUE” or “FALSE” // TRUE or FALSE
􀁸 Correct outputs (“sent” and “not sent”) | 4 | Example algorithm
if studentdata[3] == “TRUE” then
print “sent”else
print “not sent”end if
Bullet point 3 can only be awarded If an attempt is made at identifying studentdata (e.g. with the wrong index or no index) . Do not allow simply comparing anything with True / False.
Bullet point 3 can be implicit. | | Question | | | Answer | Mark | Guidance | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | Capitalisation not important.
“Sent” and “not sent” do not have to be exactly this – can be alternative message conveying same idea. | | 2 | (a) | (i) | 􀁸 2, 3, 4 | 1 | All three numbers needed in the correct order (with no other numbers) for mark. | | 2 | (a) | (ii) | 􀁸 15 | 1 | Accept 3 x 5 | | 2 | (b) | | 1 mark per bullet, max 2
􀁸 Sequence
􀁸 Iteration / loops / repetition | 2 | Ignore spelling.
Do not allow examples (eg FOR loop / WHILE loo

FAQs

What is the purpose of this mark scheme?

It indicates the requirements of the examination and the basis on which marks are awarded. It also clarifies examiner guidance and annotation usage during marking.

How are alternative correct answers handled?

Examiners are instructed to award marks fairly for alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches, reflecting the knowledge and skills demonstrated.

What guidance is given for SQL-related answers in the scheme?

The scheme specifies mark allocation by query bullets and details how capitalization, correct field/table spelling, and quoting (including mistakes such as quoting 0 in a WHERE clause) affect marking.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Riley West