← GCSE Computer Science

P02 3.2.2 Variables, constants and assignment; why named constants are used

Currently Secure · last touched 2026-10-21

int() on input that is compared as a number is the one thing on the handwriting checklist that is logic and counts. Test without the checklist next time.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-21Secure → Securepaper #10 Q12: 3/5 (chat answer after close) — variable named temp, indentation right, colon missing on else (ignored)session 127
2026-10-14Secure → Securepaper #9 Q15: 0/5, loss=not_attempted — no counter line, no input line writtensession 106
2026-09-25Secure → SecureCorrection (parent, 25 Sep): case in code is ignored by AQA and is not to be marked, counted or fed back in sessions; removed from the loose end. Status unchanged (secure).standalone
2026-09-25Developing → SecureCorrection (parent, 25 Sep): the 24 Sep demotion secure → developing was for mixed case in a third handwritten program. AQA 8525 mark schemes ignore case and minor syntax where the logic is unaffected, so handwriting hygiene is a loose end, not a status matter. Secure bar evidence stands: 22 Sep typed program 5/5 lines, names consistent and kept when changed; audit 22 Sep reconfirmed secure. Restored to secure.standalone
2026-09-25Developing → Developing25 Sep handwritten program 1: all names and keywords lower case, round brackets on input()/int()/print(), with the 4-item checklist read aloud before the photo — first clean handwritten program of four. Program 2: case and brackets clean, colon missed. Starter spot-the-error named the missing () and a capital unaided. No status change: needs a second clean program in a later session.session 48
2026-09-24Secure → DevelopingThird handwritten program with mixed case (18 Sep Cost/cost; 22 Sep Cost/Print; 24 Sep While and Key capitalised) — this time despite a 3-item checklist (lowercase, round brackets, colon) given immediately before. Loose end said a third demotes. secure → developing.session 45
2026-09-22Secure → Secureaudit: bar reconfirmed in session 41 — typed program 5/5 lines correct, lower-case names used consistently and kept when the name was changed. Handwriting slips (Cost/cost, Print) remain the existing loose end, not a bar failure; no status change.standalone
2026-09-22Secure → Secure22 Sep handwritten program: Cost on line 1, cost on lines 4–5, Print capitalised — mixed case by hand for the second session (18 Sep attempts 1–2, 22 Sep). Name cost kept for money raised despite being asked for total/raised; it says roughly what it holds. Typed version was consistently lower case.session 41
2026-09-18Secure → Secure18 Sep handwritten program: variables Save, Money, then save — they say roughly what they hold, not a third non-descriptive name after 'ha'; names and print were capitalised on attempts 1–2 and lower-cased on attempt 3 after being told.session 33
2026-09-17Secure → Secure17 Sep: named the product variable `ha` in Times table — second readability observation against the print(/naming loose end; told to use answer/product. Not a retrieval item.session 29
2026-09-15Secure → Secure15 Sep warm-up: named-constant justification first given as "because it is easyr"; after one prompt (what if VAT changes and 0.2 is in five places?) gave the full answer — change it in one spot. Exit ticket code used print("Adult") with no space before the bracket, one observation against the print( loose end; not enough to close it.session 27
2026-09-11Developing → Secure8 Sep: solved Code Lab 'Adding VAT' (constant, int() on input, arithmetic, int() on output) in 2 runs with no code supplied, a harder framing than 'Name badge' and in a later session than the 7 Sep teachingsession 21
2026-09-08Developing → DevelopingWarm-up 8 Sep: gave the 'why use a named constant' justification unprompted and in her own words (written once, so easier to change) — the loose end recorded on 7 Sep is closed. Applied VAT_RATE correctly in a working programsession 14
2026-09-07Developing → DevelopingCorrection to the 7 Sep evidence: the Code Lab task 'Name badge' was set before variables and input() had been taught, so the 13 runs measure a task set too early, not her grasp of P02. What stands: once taught, she wrote a working input/output program with named variables and fixed four bugs under guided questioning. No independent check yet.standalone
2026-09-07Not started → DevelopingCode Lab 'Name badge' solved 2/2 after 13 runs, 7 Sep: wrote a working input/output program using named variables; all four fixes came from guided questioning, no independent check yetsession 10

In papers

No marked question has been recorded against this topic yet.

Materials

Craig'n'Dave: Variables, constants and assignment
Covers why named constants are used, which is the part examiners ask about. Pair with Code Lab p02-badge and p02-vat.
video
Teach-ICT: Variables and constants
Assignment and why constants are used.
notes
PMT: Programming (notes, flashcards, questions)
Free, no login. Retrieval layer after teaching.
practice
AQA 8525 specification v1.3 (first teaching Sept 2025, exams June 2027 onwards)
THE document to teach to. Sections 3.1–3.8 are the syllabus; the right-hand 'additional information' column gives the depth limits. Verified 5 Sep 2026.
notes
AQA Summary of changes (8525), June 2025 — what was removed for 2027
Removed: Von Neumann as a named model, optical storage, LAN topologies, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, UDP, FTP, alternative link-layer names. Void these questions on any 2022–2026 paper.
notes
AQA 8525 overview page (specs, teaching guides, sample papers)
Stable entry point if any file link below dies. Lists both spec versions and the 2027 sample materials.
other
AQA subject-specific vocabulary (first exam 2027)
The terminology examiners expect. Use for retrieval starters and to check definitions in written answers.
notes
AQA Notes and guidance: Pseudo-code (8525/1)
Every algorithm in a question paper uses this pseudo-code. She must READ it fluently; she need not write in it.
notes
AQA Notes and guidance: Python (8525/1)
The exact Python style AQA uses in question papers and mark schemes. Use if Python 3 is the chosen language.
notes
AQA Notes and guidance: C# (8525/1)
The exact C# style AQA uses in question papers and mark schemes. Use if C# is the chosen language.
notes
AQA Notes and guidance: VB.NET (8525/1)
The exact VB.NET style AQA uses in question papers and mark schemes. Use if VB.NET is the chosen language.
notes
AQA Notes and guidance: 8525/1 Marking guidance (coded solutions)
FOR THE MARKER. AQA's examiner rulebook: logic over syntax, indentation rules per language, design marks, meaningful variable names, typing rules, records. Read before marking any code question. Verified 5 Sep 2026.
notes
Specimen Paper 1 (Python) 8525B/1 — sample assessment materials
Official specimen, 90 marks, 2h. Paper 1 content unchanged for 2027, so fully usable. Handwrite the code answers.
paper
Specimen Paper 1 (VB.NET) 8525C/1 — sample assessment materials
VB.NET variant of the same specimen. The C# variant (8525A/1) is on the AQA assessment-resources page.
paper
Specimen Paper 1 mark scheme (all three languages) 8525/1
Mark against the section for her language only. Shows the 'Mark A/B/C' feature-marking and 'max N if any errors' caps.
paper
Sample Paper 2 question paper — Sample set 1 (first exam 2027) 8525/2
The ONLY official Paper 2 on the 2027 content. Use as the first full Paper 2 mock. 90 marks, 1h45.
paper
Sample Paper 2 mark scheme — Sample set 1 (first exam 2027) 8525/2
Contains the level-of-response band descriptors and flags the Von Neumann question as no longer asked from 2027.
paper
June 2023 Paper 2 question paper 8525/2 (legacy spec)
LEGACY: void any question on Von Neumann, optical storage, topologies, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, UDP, FTP and reduce the maximum before marking.
paper
June 2023 Paper 1 (VB.NET) question paper 8525/1C (legacy spec)
Paper 1 is unaffected by the 2027 changes. The 1A (C#) and 1B (Python) variants of the same paper are on the AQA past-paper finder.
paper
June 2023 Paper 1 mark scheme 8525/1 (all languages)
Covers 1A, 1B and 1C. Note the examiner 'I.' (ignore) lists — the compile tolerance in practice.
paper
June 2023 Paper 1 examiner report 8525/1
What real candidates got wrong. Key lines: design marks exist even for wrong code; attempt every coding question; the indentation grids are misused.
notes
June 2022 Paper 1 mark scheme 8525/1 (all languages)
Legacy but Paper 1 content is unchanged. Question paper via the past-paper finder.
paper
AQA past-paper finder (2022–2024 papers, mark schemes, examiner reports, modified papers)
Search 8525. The most recent series (2025, 2026) are login-gated for about a year — ask the exam centre. 2027 is the first series on the new content.
other
AQA 8525 assessment resources page
The file list renders in-browser only. Filter by 'Sample papers' for the C# specimen (8525A/1).
other
AQA GCSE grade boundaries — June 2024 (contains 8525A/B/C rows, out of 180)
Legacy proxy only. The tracker holds the 8525C row. Look up 8525A or 8525B here once the language is chosen. No 2027 boundaries exist until August 2027.
other
AQA GCSE subject grade boundaries — June 2025
Most recent legacy series. Directional only.
other
AQA GCSE exam timetable May/June 2027 (version 1.0)
8525/1A/1B/1C Monday 10 May 2027 am; 8525/2 Wednesday 19 May 2027. Confirm with the centre.
other
AQA private candidates page
PARENT: the centre must sign the Practical Programming Statement (spec 5.1) and declare the Paper 1 language at entry. Confirm both in writing early.
other