← GCSE Computer Science

P03 3.2.2 Selection (IF / ELSE IF / ELSE)

Currently Developing · last touched 2026-10-21

Boundaries right in a cold task (27 Sep). Reads 'store in a variable' as 'print' — instruction reading, check on the next task with a named output variable.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-21Developing → Developingpaper #10 Q12: 3/5 (chat answer after close, portal 'j'), loss=technique — if/elif/else with correct boundaries <5, <=20, elsesession 127
2026-09-28Developing → DevelopingPlacement Q9: if age < 5 / elif age < 16 / else — bands and boundaries all correct, 2/3; every branch printed rather than assigning to price, and age re-read from input although the question said it already held a value, 27 Sep.session 52
2026-09-25Developing → Developing25 Sep starter: condition from words 'until bigger than 50' produced while number < 51: unaided — boundary correct in production, which was the loose end (24 Sep wrote < 100 for 'bigger than 100'). Program 1 boundary <= 100 also correct unprompted. Still no independent selection task with an unseen boundary; status unchanged.session 48
2026-09-24Developing → Developing24 Sep starter: temp > 25 with temp = 25 → 'fine' correct unaided (prediction). In production (exit ticket, while condition) wrote < 100 for 'bigger than 100'; fixed to < 101 when asked.session 45
2026-09-22Developing → DevelopingStarter Q3, 22 Sep, no notes: speed >= 30 at 30/29 → "slow down" / "fine" unaided. Fifth correct boundary read of >=. Secure still needs an independent selection task with an unseen boundary in a later session.session 41
2026-09-21Developing → DevelopingStarter Q2, 21 Sep: prediction at an unseen boundary, temp >= 25 → 25 "hot", 24 "fine", unaided. Fourth correct boundary read of >=.session 36
2026-09-18Developing → DevelopingStarter Q3, 18 Sep: prediction at an unseen boundary, temp >= 18 → 18 "warm", 17 "cold", unaided.session 33
2026-09-17Gap → Developing17 Sep cold retest, later session, no notes: if/elif/else at boundary 50 → Merit unaided; spot-the-error named `else score < 40:` as the fault unaided. 2/2, 0 blank. This is the later-session confirmation the 15 Sep audit asked for (gap → developing, single level); secure still needs an independent harder retest.session 29
2026-09-15Developing → Gapaudit: session 27 moved P03 notstarted → developing, a two-level jump breaching the single-level-per-session rule (see P17 correction, 11 Sep). Reverted to gap; the session's evidence (comparison ops 3/3, boundary predictions 4/4, two Code Lab tasks in one run each, exit ticket 4/4 unaided) stands as a proposed developing, to confirm in a later session.standalone
2026-09-15Not started → DevelopingTaught 15 Sep from the top: comparison operators 3/3 True/False at the boundary; boundary predictions 40→Pass, 39→Fail, 20→Mild, 15→Mild all unaided; Code Lab 'Pass or fail' 3/3 first run no hint; 'Grade bands' 4/4 first run with a hint (had written else with a condition, self-diagnosed); exit ticket cinema age bands (if/elif/else, typed, not run) 4/4 unaided. Single-level move; secure needs an independent retest in a later session.session 27

In papers

AttemptPaperQMarksNote
Exam practice — week 43 · lang, lit, cs — GCSE Computer Science sectionexam-skills #10123/5PORTAL: 'j', 1 min. Typed in exam-skills chat 15:29, after close; student reports glitch. Marked from chat. A 1 int(input()). B 1 <5. C 1 elif <=20/else (colon missing, ignored). D 0 prints in branches, advice unused. E 0 no single output. loss=technique x2. Dad to decide if it stands.
Placement — Computer Science paper 1 (Python) — GCSE Computer Science sectionexam-skills #192/3Mark 1: if age < 5 branch present (prints 'Free' rather than assigning) — awarded on the condition. Mark 2: elif age < 16 correct boundary — awarded. Mark 3: not awarded — every branch prints, nothing assigned to price; also re-reads age from input although the question said it already holds a value. 2/3.

Materials

Craig'n'Dave: The three basic programming constructs
Selection: IF / ELSE IF / ELSE. Pair with Code Lab p03-pass and p03-grade.
video
Teach-ICT: Sequence, selection and iteration
Selection written up with Python examples.
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