A-Level Computer (AM 07) MATSEC | London | Oxford etc.

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A-Level Computer Syllabus 2011

INTRODUCTION

This MATSEC Advanced level Computing Syllabus has been prepared and compiled in line with previous
syllabi, latest Computing related developments and space for future syllabi to add and enhance the contents.
Furthermore, in line with the objectives clearly set in the previous version of this syllabus, the programming
language that is to be used throughout this syllabus is to be “Java”. This language will displace the use of the
“Pascal” programming language in every aspect of this syllabus wherever the use of a programming language is
required, including the implementation of the project.

It is also stressed that all theoretical treatment of topics should be adequately accompanied by practical (realworld)
examples when and wherever applicable.

The nature of the project and what it aims to exercise has also been amended in this syllabus. The project now
carries 20% of the global score for this subject and is primarily intended to consolidate and assess the freshly
acquired programming and logical-analytical skills of candidates, rather than the abstract-analytical, design,
project management skills, and software engineering rationale in general, which can be better assimilated in
later stages of the educational process, when it is felt that candidates’ thought processes have reached higher
levels of maturity.

Candidates are expected to have followed the Computer Studies stream at secondary level and have progressed
on to the SEC level Computer Studies thereby acquiring sound background knowledge of the history of
Computing, current and future trends, as well as the sector-specific and social applications of Information
Technology.

This syllabus is ideal for those students who wish to deepen their understanding of Computing possibly with an
eye to pursuing any undergraduate degree programme with a fundamental treatment of the technical aspects of
Computing.

This document is organized as follows. The next section briefly underlines the contents of the examination
itself while syllabus details are described in detail in Section 3. Section 4 lists recommended texts and reference
books that Computing educators can make use of to assist their students. Finally, detailed information about the
practical project is expanded in Section 5.

EXAMINATION
The examination shall consist of three parts, namely, two written papers each of three hours duration and a
project. The overall grade will be based on an overall aggregate score, and students must obtain a minimum
mark in each part of the examination, to be established by the Markers’ panel.

Paper I (100 marks) shall consist of twenty short compulsory questions from any part of the syllabus and that
require short to the point answers worth 5 marks. This paper carries 40% of the final (total) examination score.

Paper II (100 marks) shall consist of eight long questions of which candidates are expected to answer five. Each
question carries 20 marks and students are expected to understand precisely what is being asked and
demonstrate understanding by answering in some depth. This paper carries 40% of the final (total) examination
score.
Paper III (100 marks) is a project that is expected to take up about three months of the candidates’ study
programme in order to clearly test and demonstrate the range of logical and programming skills they have
acquired and possess. The project carries 20% of the final (total) examination score.

Note regarding use of calculators:

Calculators may NOT be used in any part of this examination.