← GCSE Computer Science

P17 3.2.8 String ↔ integer/real conversion

Currently Developing · last touched 2026-10-21

Text-join misconception did not recur on the cold retest (27 Sep). str() and real conversion untouched.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-21Developing → Developingpaper #10 Q12: 3/5 (chat answer after close), loss=technique — 'store in a variable called advice, output once' not followed; no print(advice) after the selectionsession 127
2026-10-15Developing → Developing15 Oct, cold, no reminder: int(input()) on the price line of the pseudo-code translation, 2 days after 13 Oct. 2/2 across two days unprompted. str() and real conversion still untouched.session 108
2026-10-13Developing → DevelopingSession 102, 13 Oct, typed, no reminder: int(input()) written in the Code Lab program (passed run 1) and again in the fresh two-line price item. 2/2 unprompted. str() and real conversion still untouched.standalone
2026-09-29Developing → Developing29 Sep starter, no notes, 4 days on: "4"+"5" → 45 and with int() → 9, unaided. Third cold success on the text-join item.session 58
2026-09-28Developing → DevelopingPlacement Q6: "4"+"5" → 45 and int("4")+int("5") → 9, both correct cold two days after the misconception, 2/2, 27 Sep.session 52
2026-09-25Gap → Developing25 Sep: taught int(input()) from zero — say-back in own words, worked example 3/3 lines first time, predictions 2/3 unaided ('4'+'5' → '9' before teaching, '45' after; '10'+'20' → '1020'). Then int() written unprompted on all four inputs across two handwritten programs. Taught, checked, applied: gap → developing, single level.session 48
2026-09-24Gap → Gap24 Sep exit ticket (handwritten while loop comparing input with 100): no int() on either input, so the comparison would fail at runtime. Task needed P17 while it is still a gap — set too early by the tutor; not evidence against the topic. She did write money = int(input()) unprompted on 22 Sep.session 45
2026-09-15Gap → Gap15 Sep warm-up after a 4-day gap: 10 / 5 prints 2.0, unaided, second session running. No float-producing expression arose later, so int() unprompted (watch #10) not observed. Proposed developing; not moved here.session 27
2026-09-11Developing → Gapaudit: session 22's promotion to developing jumped two levels (notstarted→developing) in one session, breaching the single-level-per-session rule. Reverted to gap; the cited retention evidence (float rule retained unaided after a 3-day gap) stands as a proposed developing, not a confirmed move.standalone
2026-09-11Not started → Developing11 Sep retrieval after a 3-day gap: said 10 / 5 prints 2.0, unprompted. This was the 8 Sep misconception (predicted 60 for a float expression), so the rule has survived a gapsession 22

In papers

AttemptPaperQMarksNote
Placement — Computer Science paper 1 (Python) — GCSE Computer Science sectionexam-skills #162/245 and 9 — both correct; the text-join misconception from 25 Sep did not recur. 2/2.

Materials

Craig'n'Dave: Data types and casting
Casting between string and integer/real — the int() and str() half of this topic.
video
Teach-ICT: String handling
String to integer and real conversion (casting).
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