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Computer Science Essentials

For ages 14–16, GCSE level

Similar to US grades 9–10 (high school) and IB MYP years 4–5

Programming, algorithms, data and networks.

Free Unit 1, Algorithms

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59 lessons Unit 1 free

Practice

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    How this works

    Picked from your answers on this device and your account: topics you are still learning, and secure ones you have not practised for a while. The bars show how sure you are on each one. It is not a grade.

    Mistakes

    Lesson cards

    All decks

    Due today:

    Mixed practice

    10 questions across the course.

    Start mixed practice

    What you’ll be able to do

    The course, unit by unit

    Part 1: Algorithms and programming

    4 units, 23 lessons

    1. Unit 1: Algorithms

      2 hr 50 minFree unit

    2. Unit 2: Programming

      2 hr 10 minLocked

    3. Unit 3: Writing code

      2 hr 35 minLocked

    4. Unit 4: Onscreen programming

      3 hr 15 minLocked

    Part 2: Databases and impacts

    2 units, 9 lessons

    1. Unit 5: Databases and SQL

      1 hr 50 minLocked

    2. Unit 6: Ethical, legal and environmental impacts

      1 hr 50 minLocked

    Part 3: Data representation

    1 unit, 5 lessons

    1. Unit 7: Data representation

      1 hr 55 minLocked

    Part 4: Computer systems

    3 units, 12 lessons

    1. Unit 8: Computer systems

      2 hr 15 minLocked

    2. Unit 9: Boolean logic

      1 hr 10 minLocked

    3. Unit 10: Languages and translators

      1 hr 5 minLocked

    Part 5: Networks and security

    2 units, 10 lessons

    1. Unit 11: Networks and protocols

      1 hr 55 minLocked

    2. Unit 12: Cyber security

      1 hr 45 minLocked

    Practice exams and topic tests

    A topic test ends every unit. Practice exams are timed at full exam length and marked when you hand them in.

    Questions

    Does Computer Science Essentials match my course at school?

    It covers the topics of the courses on the Helps with line at the end of this page, as a complete course of its own.

    What is free?

    All of the first unit, Algorithms (7 lessons), the first screen of every other lesson, and each unit's topic test.

    Do I need an account?

    No. Progress saves in this browser; sign in to keep it on every device.

    How long does it take?

    About 24 hr 35 min of lessons in 12 units. Lessons take 20 to 45 minutes each.

    Helps with: GCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), Cambridge IGCSE

    AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR are trade marks of their owners. Brainlag is independent of every exam board; all questions are original.