A-level
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Paper 1
June 2024
Teacher’s Notes Confidential
To be given immediately to the teacher responsible for A-level Computer Science.
This booklet contains important information for centres preparing for Paper 1, an on-screen
exam to be held in June 2024, in advance of the examination.
The purpose of this booklet is to:
• give instruction in the preparation of the centre’s network to be used in the examination
• provide support and guidance for centres in their management of the examination.
In the electronic version of this document, there are links throughout to the Joint Council for
Qualifications (JCQ) website and the contact for AQA Programmers referred to in Section 4.
This document should be read in conjunction with the JCQ document
Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) 2023–2024
which is available on the JCQ website.
IB/G/Jun24/G4001/E7 7517/1/TN
, 2
Contents
Page
Specification Entry Codes (specific to programming language) ......................................................... 3
1 The responsibilities of the Head of Centre ................................................................................ 3
2 Security ....................................................................................................................................3
3 Materials a centre can expect to receive via Centre Services ................................................... 4
4 Preliminary Material, Skeleton Program and Electronic Answer Document............................... 5
5 Timetabling ...............................................................................................................................6
6 Accommodation ........................................................................................................................7
7 Candidates who are taught at a centre other than that which entered them for the exam ......... 8
8 Preparation of your centre’s computer network ......................................................................... 8
9 Immediately before candidates start the exam.......................................................................... 9
10 Conduct of the exam .............................................................................................................. 10
11 Printing ................................................................................................................................... 11
12 At the end of the exam............................................................................................................ 11
13 Malpractice ............................................................................................................................. 12
14 Emergencies .......................................................................................................................... 12
Appendix 1 Advice on using the Paper 1 Electronic Answer Document (EAD)............................... 14
Appendix 2 What centres must do to amend AQA’s Skeleton Program to the program
environment used at their centre ................................................................................. 17
Appendix 3 Important Information for centres entering candidates for the A-level Paper 1 exam
using the Java programming language ....................................................................... 18
IB/G/Jun24/7517/1/TN
, 3
Specification Entry Codes (specific to programming language)
For this Computer Science specification you will enter candidates using the entry code specifically for
the programming language(s) a centre is using. This is so that, for Paper 1, AQA can allocate an
examiner(s) specifically for the programming language(s) the centre is using.
To align with the entry code, AQA will provide an Electronic Answer Document (EAD) for each
programming language (see Section 4.5 for guidance). After the exam, you must post the candidates’
EADs using the correct labels provided by AQA.
The Paper 1 Question Paper (7517/1), generic for all programming languages, will be sent in hard
copy to your Examinations Officer. It must be opened only on the day of the exam in front of
candidates.
1 The responsibilities of the Head of Centre
It is the responsibility of the Head of Centre to ensure:
• that appropriate security systems are in place to prevent unauthorised access to exam materials,
including candidates’ work
• that AQA’s requirements for the availability of the Preliminary Material (including the Skeleton
Programs and any data files) to candidates for the exam are met in advance of the exam
• proper conduct of the exam in accordance with these Teacher’s Notes and the JCQ
Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) 2023-2024
• a sufficient provision of resources and appropriate system security as detailed in this document
• that candidates are made aware of the requirements of the exam.
2 Security
The centre must be able to demonstrate to a JCQ Inspector, should they visit, that appropriate security
systems are in place to prevent unauthorised access to the exam materials. These systems must
ensure that:
• electronic exam materials are stored securely at all times, including before, during and after the
exam. All wireless capabilities must be disabled or otherwise made secure
• candidate exam password information is stored securely and given to candidates only at the start of
the session for the exam. Only exam administrators and the candidate can have access to a
candidate’s password which gives the candidate access to the on-screen exam
• expertise to access, administer and support the exam is available.
IB/G/Jun24/7517/1/TN Turn over ►
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Paper 1
June 2024
Teacher’s Notes Confidential
To be given immediately to the teacher responsible for A-level Computer Science.
This booklet contains important information for centres preparing for Paper 1, an on-screen
exam to be held in June 2024, in advance of the examination.
The purpose of this booklet is to:
• give instruction in the preparation of the centre’s network to be used in the examination
• provide support and guidance for centres in their management of the examination.
In the electronic version of this document, there are links throughout to the Joint Council for
Qualifications (JCQ) website and the contact for AQA Programmers referred to in Section 4.
This document should be read in conjunction with the JCQ document
Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) 2023–2024
which is available on the JCQ website.
IB/G/Jun24/G4001/E7 7517/1/TN
, 2
Contents
Page
Specification Entry Codes (specific to programming language) ......................................................... 3
1 The responsibilities of the Head of Centre ................................................................................ 3
2 Security ....................................................................................................................................3
3 Materials a centre can expect to receive via Centre Services ................................................... 4
4 Preliminary Material, Skeleton Program and Electronic Answer Document............................... 5
5 Timetabling ...............................................................................................................................6
6 Accommodation ........................................................................................................................7
7 Candidates who are taught at a centre other than that which entered them for the exam ......... 8
8 Preparation of your centre’s computer network ......................................................................... 8
9 Immediately before candidates start the exam.......................................................................... 9
10 Conduct of the exam .............................................................................................................. 10
11 Printing ................................................................................................................................... 11
12 At the end of the exam............................................................................................................ 11
13 Malpractice ............................................................................................................................. 12
14 Emergencies .......................................................................................................................... 12
Appendix 1 Advice on using the Paper 1 Electronic Answer Document (EAD)............................... 14
Appendix 2 What centres must do to amend AQA’s Skeleton Program to the program
environment used at their centre ................................................................................. 17
Appendix 3 Important Information for centres entering candidates for the A-level Paper 1 exam
using the Java programming language ....................................................................... 18
IB/G/Jun24/7517/1/TN
, 3
Specification Entry Codes (specific to programming language)
For this Computer Science specification you will enter candidates using the entry code specifically for
the programming language(s) a centre is using. This is so that, for Paper 1, AQA can allocate an
examiner(s) specifically for the programming language(s) the centre is using.
To align with the entry code, AQA will provide an Electronic Answer Document (EAD) for each
programming language (see Section 4.5 for guidance). After the exam, you must post the candidates’
EADs using the correct labels provided by AQA.
The Paper 1 Question Paper (7517/1), generic for all programming languages, will be sent in hard
copy to your Examinations Officer. It must be opened only on the day of the exam in front of
candidates.
1 The responsibilities of the Head of Centre
It is the responsibility of the Head of Centre to ensure:
• that appropriate security systems are in place to prevent unauthorised access to exam materials,
including candidates’ work
• that AQA’s requirements for the availability of the Preliminary Material (including the Skeleton
Programs and any data files) to candidates for the exam are met in advance of the exam
• proper conduct of the exam in accordance with these Teacher’s Notes and the JCQ
Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) 2023-2024
• a sufficient provision of resources and appropriate system security as detailed in this document
• that candidates are made aware of the requirements of the exam.
2 Security
The centre must be able to demonstrate to a JCQ Inspector, should they visit, that appropriate security
systems are in place to prevent unauthorised access to the exam materials. These systems must
ensure that:
• electronic exam materials are stored securely at all times, including before, during and after the
exam. All wireless capabilities must be disabled or otherwise made secure
• candidate exam password information is stored securely and given to candidates only at the start of
the session for the exam. Only exam administrators and the candidate can have access to a
candidate’s password which gives the candidate access to the on-screen exam
• expertise to access, administer and support the exam is available.
IB/G/Jun24/7517/1/TN Turn over ►
