Computer Science 0478 · Cambridge O Level / IGCSE
Paper 1: Computer Systems
1 hour 45 minutes · 75 marks · 50%
- Duration
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- Marks
- 75
- Practice here
- 90
What is on this paper
- Short-answer and structured questions
- Questions will be based on Topics 1–6 of the subject content
- All questions are compulsory
- No calculators are permitted
- Externally assessed
How it is weighted
- 50%
Which papers you sit
All candidates take two components. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.
Assessment details are taken from the official Cambridge Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2026-2028. Read the syllabus ↗
Practise the topics on Paper 1
All Computer Science topics →90 original questions, each with a full worked solution. Free to read, no account needed.
Number Systems
Convert positive integers between denary, binary and hexadecimal; add two 8-bit binary integers and recognise…
CPU Architecture and the Fetch–Decode–Execute Cycle
Describe the role of the CPU in a Von Neumann architecture, including registers (PC, MAR, MDR, CIR, ACC), buses and…
Representing Text, Sound, Images and Storage
Explain how computers represent text (ASCII/Unicode), sound (sample rate and resolution) and images (resolution and…
Cyber Security and Digital Currency
Describe common cyber security threats (malware, phishing, pharming, DDoS, social engineering, brute-force attacks)…
The Internet and the World Wide Web
Distinguish the internet from the world wide web; explain URLs, HTTP/HTTPS, how a browser locates and displays a web…
Data Transmission, Error Checking and Encryption
Describe packet structure and packet switching; compare serial, parallel, simplex and duplex transmission; apply…
Storage Devices and Network Hardware
Identify common input, output and storage devices and sensors; compare primary, secondary, virtual and cloud storage…
Software Types and Language Translators
Distinguish system and application software and the role of an operating system and interrupts; compare high-level and…
Automated Systems, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Explain how sensors, microprocessors and actuators combine into automated systems; describe robot characteristics and…