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100+ Free National 5 Computing Science Practice Questions

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While testing a Python program, dividing by zero raises ZeroDivisionError. Which error type is this?

A
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C
D
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Key Facts: National 5 Computing Science Exam

C816 75

Course code

Qualifications Scotland

150 marks

Total marks (paper + assignment)

N5 Computing Science Course Specification

2 hours

Question paper duration

Qualifications Scotland

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

N5 Computing Science is graded A-D with C as the minimum pass. The 90-mark question paper (2 hours) covers programming, computer systems, data representation, databases and web design; the 60-mark assignment contributes towards the 150-mark total.

Sample National 5 Computing Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your National 5 Computing Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In Python, which data type would best store the value 17.5?
A.real (float)
B.integer
C.string
D.boolean
Explanation: 17.5 has a fractional part so it must be stored as a real number (a float in Python). Integers cannot hold a decimal component, strings would store it as text, and booleans only hold True/False.
2What is the result of 17 MOD 5?
A.2
B.3
C.3.4
D.5
Explanation: MOD returns the remainder after integer division. 17 divided by 5 is 3 remainder 2, so 17 MOD 5 = 2.
3Which operator tests whether two values are NOT equal in most exam reference languages?
A.!=
B.==
C.<>
D.=/=
Explanation: In Python and most reference languages used by SQA, != means 'not equal to'. Visual Basic uses <> instead, but Python's symbol is required in many N5 questions.
4What does the logical expression (age >= 18) AND (hasLicence == True) evaluate to when age is 17 and hasLicence is True?
A.False
B.True
C.17
D.Error
Explanation: AND requires both operands to be True. age >= 18 is False because 17 is less than 18, so False AND True = False.
5Which control structure should be used when a block of code must run exactly 10 times?
A.FOR fixed loop
B.WHILE conditional loop
C.IF statement
D.REPEAT-UNTIL loop
Explanation: A FOR loop is the fixed loop construct used when the number of iterations is known in advance. WHILE and REPEAT-UNTIL are conditional loops that stop when a condition is met.
6Look at the Python code: for i in range(1, 6): print(i). How many numbers are printed?
A.5
B.6
C.4
D.1
Explanation: range(1, 6) produces values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 — the stop value is exclusive. The loop prints 5 numbers in total.
7Which pre-defined function returns a random integer between 1 and 6 inclusive in Python?
A.random.randint(1, 6)
B.random.random(1, 6)
C.random.range(1, 6)
D.randint(1, 7)
Explanation: random.randint(a, b) returns an integer N such that a <= N <= b — both endpoints are inclusive. random.random() returns a float between 0 and 1 with no arguments.
8Which pre-defined function rounds 4.67 to the nearest whole number?
A.round(4.67)
B.int(4.67)
C.floor(4.67)
D.abs(4.67)
Explanation: round() returns the value rounded to the nearest integer, so round(4.67) = 5. int() truncates toward zero (giving 4), floor() always rounds down, and abs() returns the absolute value.
9A user-defined function adds VAT at 20 per cent. Which line correctly defines it in Python with a parameter price?
A.def addVAT(price):
B.function addVAT(price):
C.def addVAT price:
D.addVAT(price) =
Explanation: Python uses the keyword def followed by the function name, parentheses listing parameters, and a colon to begin the function body.
10What is a parameter in programming?
A.A value passed into a function when it is called
B.A loop counter variable
C.A keyword that begins a function
D.A type of error during execution
Explanation: A parameter is a variable listed in a function definition that receives a value (an argument) when the function is called. Parameters allow the same function to operate on different inputs.

About the National 5 Computing Science Exam

National 5 Computing Science (course code C816 75) is a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 5 qualification administered by Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA). The course is built around two areas — Software Design and Development, and Information System Design and Development — and is assessed by a 90-mark question paper of 2 hours plus a 60-mark assignment.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours for the question paper

Passing Score

Grade C is the minimum pass (A-D awarded; A is the highest)

Exam Fee

Entry fee is paid by the centre; no candidate fee for school candidates (Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA))

National 5 Computing Science Exam Content Outline

Area 1

Software Design and Development

Analysis, design (structure diagrams, flowcharts, pseudocode), implementation in Python/Visual Basic, data types, operators, control structures, functions, arrays, strings

Area 1

Software Testing and Errors

Normal, extreme and exceptional test data; syntax, logic and execution errors; white-box vs black-box testing; trace tables

Area 2

Information System Design — Data Representation

Data types, storage units (bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB), binary positive integers, 8-bit ASCII, bitmap and sound file size calculations, lossy vs lossless compression

Area 2

Information System Design — Computer Systems

CPU (control unit, ALU, MAR, MDR, clock speed), RAM vs ROM, secondary storage, input/output devices, fetch-execute cycle

Area 2

Information System Design — Databases

Flat vs relational databases, tables, records, fields, primary and foreign keys, validation rules, SQL (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY)

Area 2

Information System Design — Web Design

HTML elements, CSS selectors and properties, internal vs external CSS, JavaScript, navigation, usability and accessibility

How to Pass the National 5 Computing Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade C is the minimum pass (A-D awarded; A is the highest)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours for the question paper
  • Exam fee: Entry fee is paid by the centre; no candidate fee for school candidates

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

National 5 Computing Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work through past papers from sqa.org.uk under timed conditions — many marks are awarded for being able to read and trace code, not just write it
2Memorise the file size formulas for bitmap (w x h x bd / 8) and sound (SR x BD x time x channels / 8) — they appear nearly every year
3Practise writing structure diagrams, flowcharts and pseudocode by hand; the design questions need a clear, methodical layout
4Revise SQL keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY ASC/DESC, AND/OR) and HTML/CSS basics — they reliably appear in the question paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Who awards National 5 Computing Science?

National 5 Computing Science is awarded by Qualifications Scotland, the awarding body for Scottish national qualifications since 1 February 2026 (formerly known as SQA). The course code is C816 75.

How is National 5 Computing Science assessed?

A 90-mark question paper of 2 hours is combined with a 60-mark practical assignment, giving a total of 150 marks. The assignment is set by Qualifications Scotland and marked by the centre under specified conditions.

What grade is a pass at National 5?

National 5 is graded A, B, C and D, with C being the standard pass and A the highest. Candidates who fall short of D receive 'No award'.

What programming language is used in N5 Computing?

The course specification is language-agnostic but most Scottish centres teach Python or Visual Basic. Exam questions use generic reference-language pseudocode that maps onto either language.