CIE · IGCSE · Computer Science
CIE IGCSE Computer Science Syllabus
The complete CIE IGCSE Computer Science specification mapped to 50 topics. Click any topic for free revision notes and practice questions.
Algorithm design and problem-solving
program development life cycle and the role of algorithms
pseudocode and flowcharts — sequence, selection and iteration constructs
searching algorithms (linear search, binary search)
sorting algorithms (bubble sort, merge sort, insertion sort)
0 Qs
trace tables and dry-running algorithms
0 Qs
Data representation
binary arithmetic including addition and overflow
binary shifts (logical left and right shifts)
data storage units and file sizes
number systems (binary, denary, hexadecimal) and conversion between them
text, sound and image representation (ASCII, Unicode, sampling, resolution, colour depth)
0 Qs
two's complement (representation of negative numbers and subtraction)
Data transmission
encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS)
methods of error detection (parity bits, majority voting, checksums, echo checking)
types of transmission (serial, parallel, simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex)
Databases
data validation and verification, use of SQL for querying databases
0 Qs
Hardware
central processing unit (CPU) architecture, components and their functions (ALU, CU, registers, buses, cache)
embedded systems
0 Qs
fetch-execute cycle and the effect of CPU characteristics on performance (clock speed, cores, cache size)
input devices and their uses
output devices and their uses
primary memory (RAM and ROM) and secondary storage (types, characteristics and uses)
Programming concepts
arrays (1D and 2D) — declaration, access and manipulation
exception handling (use of try/except or equivalent)
file handling (opening, reading, writing and closing text files)
0 Qs
input/output, assignment and arithmetic, comparison and logical operators
procedures and functions, including parameter passing and return values
sequence, selection (IF, CASE/SWITCH) and iteration (FOR, WHILE, REPEAT-UNTIL) constructs
string handling operations (length, substring, concatenation, case conversion, character conversion)
variables, constants, data types (integer, real, char, string, boolean)
0 Qs
Software
operating systems and their functions (memory management, scheduling, file management, peripherals and drivers, security)
0 Qs
types of software and programming languages (high-level, low-level, assembly language, compilers, interpreters, assemblers)
0 Qs
Testing and validation
types of test data (normal, boundary, erroneous), test plans and validating program solutions
0 Qs
The internet and networking
hardware used in networks (router, switch, hub, NIC, WAP) and wired/wireless connections
IP addressing, MAC addressing and domain name system (DNS)
0 Qs
network security threats (malware types, phishing, pharming, social engineering) and protection methods (firewalls, antivirus, proxy servers)
0 Qs
networks (LAN, WAN, topologies, client-server, peer-to-peer)
0 Qs
protocols and layers (TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP) and the role of layers
0 Qs
All topics
Algorithm Design and Problem-Solving
0 Qs
Boolean algebra and simplification of logic expressions
Boolean Logic
0 Qs
Communication and Internet Technologies
0 Qs
Data Representation
0 Qs
Databases
0 Qs
Ethics and Emerging Technologies
0 Qs
Ethics, privacy and intellectual property (impact of technology, computer-use policies, copyright, open-source vs proprietary software)
Hardware
0 Qs
Logic gates and logic circuits (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR) and truth tables
Programming
0 Qs
Security
0 Qs
Software
Practise the whole syllabus.
Free, instantly-marked CIE IGCSE Computer Science questions across every topic above.
Start Free →