2025 OCR AS Level Computer Science Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Combined (H046/01 Computing principles)
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2025 OCR AS Level Computer Science Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Combined (H046/01 Computing principles)
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2025 OCR AS Level Computer Science Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Combined (H046/01 Computing principles)

  • Purpose / role: This is the first external assessment component of the AS-Level OCR Computer Science course. It tests foundational computing concepts — hardware, software, data, data exchange, ethics and more — as defined by the OCR H046 specification. 

  • Format: A written exam lasting 1 hour 15 minutes. Calculators are not allowed

  • Total marks: 70 marks. 

  • Weighting (of AS-Level): This paper accounts for 50% of the AS Level grade (the other 50% comes from Paper 2: Algorithms & Problem Solving). 

  • Content / Syllabus topics covered: According to the specification, the topics include: 

    • Characteristics of contemporary processors; CPU structure; input, output, and storage devices. 

    • Types of software; different software development methodologies. 

    • Data exchange between different systems (e.g. networking, storage, data transfer). 

    • Data types, data structures and algorithms (fundamental concepts, not heavy programming). 

    • Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues related to computing and data use. 

  • Question types: A mixture of short-answer questions, longer-answer questions, and “higher-tariff” (extended response) questions. All questions are compulsory. 

  • Mark scheme: A mark scheme is published by the awarding body for this paper (e.g. 2024 mark scheme is publicly available). 

  • Use case: The 2025 H046/01 paper + mark scheme is used by students revising for the AS-Level, teachers for marking or teaching, and institutions for past-paper practice.