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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 review concepts for the National 5 Computing Science exam. 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.

Exam sponsor: Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 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 / Certification Fees

Entry fee is paid by the centre; no candidate fee for school candidates

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

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

Preparing for 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 / certification fees: Entry fee is paid by the centre; no candidate fee for school candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

National 5 Computing Science: Suggested Study Strategy

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.