GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE 8525/2 - Paper 2 Computing concepts - Mark scheme

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by awa

GCSE Computer Science 8525/2 Paper 2 Computing concepts mark scheme with versioning and exam timetable context for First exam June 2027. Describes how the scheme is prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer, standardised with teacher associates, and updated for amendments. Provides guidance on consistent annotation and interpreting symbols for crediting or rejecting responses. Includes level of response marking instructions, step-by-step determination of levels and marks, and clarifications on indicative content, unusual answers, and fair treatment in exam responses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Mark scheme overview

Standardisation and working document notes

Guidance on annotation and credits

Level of response marking instructions

| GCSE
COMPUTER SCIENCE 8525/2
Paper 2 Computing concepts | | --- | | Mark scheme
Sample assessment materials
First exam June 2027 | Version: 1.1 Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Assessment Writer. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the gender identity of others in their exam responses. A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria. Further copies of [this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk](this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk)[ ](this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk)[The following annotation is used in the mark scheme:](The following annotation is used in the mark scheme:) ; - means a single mark // - means alternative response / - means an alternative word or sub-phrase A - means acceptable creditworthy answer. Also used to denote a valid answer that goes beyond the expectations of the GCSE syllabus. R - means reject answer as not creditworthy NE - means not enough I - means ignore DPT- in some questions a specific error made by a candidate, if repeated, could result in the candidate failing to gain more than one mark. The DPT label indicates that this mistake should only result in a candidate losing one mark on the first occasion that the error is made. Provided that the answer remains understandable, subsequent marks should be awarded as if the error was not being repeated. Copyright information AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre. Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Level of response marking instructions Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level. Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme. Step 1 Determine a level Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level,

FAQs

Who prepares and standardises the GCSE Computer Science mark scheme?

The mark scheme is prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered with a panel of subject teachers. Associates participate in standardisation events to ensure it is understood and applied consistently.

What do the mark scheme annotation symbols indicate?

Symbols such as “;” for a single mark and “//” for alternative responses indicate how to treat different parts of an answer. “A” denotes acceptable creditworthy answers, with other codes used for accept/reject/ignore and error guidance.

How should examiners assign levels and marks using the level of response scheme?

Examiners determine a level by starting at the lowest level and using a ladder approach to match descriptors, then decide the mark within the level using descriptor guidance and standardisation materials for comparison.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by awa