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100+ Free Wales GCSE Computer Science Practice Questions

Prepare for the Made-for-Wales GCSE Computer Science (WJEC) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Wales GCSE Computer Science Exam

50% / 50%

Unit 1 theory + Unit 2 programming weightings

WJEC GCSE Computer Science specification (teaching from 2025)

1h 30m + 2h

Official exam timings (Unit 1 + Unit 2)

WJEC specification summary of assessment

80 + 80

Marks per unit

WJEC specification

A*–G

Wales GCSE grading scale

Qualifications Wales Made-for-Wales GCSE policy

£46.80

2026/27 full single-award centre entry fee

WJEC Entry Fees 2026/27

3460QS

Qualification reference code

WJEC subject page

Sept 2025

First teaching (Wave 1)

WJEC / Qualifications Wales

Python

Unit 2 examination language

WJEC qualification outline / specification

WJEC Made-for-Wales GCSE Computer Science (qual 3460QS): two 50% units — digital theory exam (1h 30m, 80 marks) and on-screen Python programming exam with pre-release (2h, 80 marks). Graded A*–G. Centre entry fee £46.80 (2026/27). Distinct from England 9–1 GCSE CS. Free practice here is an MCQ study adaptation.

Sample Wales GCSE Computer Science Practice Questions

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

1Which CPU component performs arithmetic calculations and logical comparisons?
A.Control Unit
B.Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
C.Program Counter
D.Immediate Access Store only
Explanation: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) carries out arithmetic (for example addition and subtraction) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, comparisons). It works with registers under direction of the Control Unit during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
2What is the main role of the Control Unit in the CPU?
A.Store the operating system permanently
B.Decode instructions and send control signals to other components
C.Convert analogue sound to digital samples
D.Provide long-term magnetic storage
Explanation: The Control Unit fetches instruction meaning from the instruction register, decodes the opcode, and issues control signals so the ALU, registers and memory perform the correct operation in sequence.
3Which register holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched?
A.Accumulator
B.Memory Data Register (MDR)
C.Program Counter (PC)
D.Current Instruction Register (CIR)
Explanation: The Program Counter stores the address of the next instruction. After an instruction is fetched, the PC is normally updated to point to the following instruction (or a branch target).
4Cache memory is used primarily to:
A.Provide the largest possible long-term archive of user files
B.Store frequently used instructions and data close to the CPU for faster access
C.Replace the need for any RAM in a modern computer
D.Encrypt all network traffic leaving a LAN
Explanation: Cache is small, fast memory between CPU and main RAM. Keeping hot instructions/data in cache reduces average memory access time and improves performance.
5Which storage type is typically non-volatile and used for long-term file storage?
A.CPU registers
B.Cache Level 1
C.Solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk
D.The accumulator only
Explanation: Secondary storage such as SSDs and hard disks keeps data when power is removed (non-volatile) and holds the OS, applications and user files long-term.
6Convert the binary number 1011 to decimal.
A.9
B.10
C.11
D.13
Explanation: Place values from right to left are 1, 2, 4, 8. So 1011₂ = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11₁₀.
7What is the hexadecimal representation of binary 1111?
A.E
B.F
C.10
D.G
Explanation: Four binary bits map to one hex digit. 1111₂ = 15₁₀ = F₁₆. Hex digits run 0–9 then A–F.
8How many distinct values can be represented with 8 bits?
A.8
B.128
C.255
D.256
Explanation: n bits can represent 2ⁿ different patterns. 2⁸ = 256 values (commonly 0–255 for an unsigned byte).
9In a bitmap image, what does colour depth mean?
A.The physical thickness of the display panel
B.The number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel
C.The number of frames shown per second
D.The compression ratio of a ZIP archive
Explanation: Colour depth (bit depth) is bits per pixel. More bits allow more colours (for example 24-bit colour uses 8 bits each for red, green and blue).
10Which statement best describes lossless compression?
A.Some original data is permanently discarded to shrink the file
B.The original data can be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed form
C.It only works on sound files and never on text
D.It always produces a smaller file than lossy compression for photos
Explanation: Lossless methods (for example PNG, FLAC, ZIP/deflate) encode redundancy so decompression restores the exact original bits — essential for text, code and many archives.

About the Wales GCSE Computer Science Exam

Made-for-Wales GCSE Computer Science is the WJEC qualification designed for the Curriculum for Wales (first teaching September 2025, Wave 1). It is regulated by Qualifications Wales and is not the same as England GCSE Computer Science (AQA/OCR/Edexcel, 9–1). Assessment is unitised: Unit 1 Understanding Computer Science (digital exam, 50%) and Unit 2 Computer Programming (on-screen Python exam based on a pre-released brief, 50%). Grades use the Wales A*–G scale. Assessments are available in English and Welsh. DISCLOSURE: Official papers mix objective, short, extended and programming tasks — this free bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for revision, not a past-paper clone.

Assessment

Unitised, untiered single-award GCSE. Unit 1 digital exam 50% (80 marks, 1h 30m); Unit 2 on-screen programming exam with pre-released brief 50% (80 marks, 2h). Qual code 3460QS. First teaching September 2025; Unit 1 first available summer 2026; Unit 2 first available summer 2027.

Time Limit

Unit 1: 1 hour 30 minutes; Unit 2: 2 hours

Passing Score

A*–G overall grade (Wales GCSE scale)

Exam Fee

£46.80 centre entry fee for the full single-award Made-for-Wales GCSE (WJEC 2026/27 fees). Paid by the school/centre — learners do not typically pay a separate public exam fee. (WJEC (regulated by Qualifications Wales))

Wales GCSE Computer Science Exam Content Outline

50%

Unit 1: Understanding Computer Science

Computer architecture and components; peripherals and storage; data types, representation, storage and compression; data and file structures; automated systems; networks and infrastructure; cybersecurity and personal privacy; algorithms; software principles; program construction; logical operations; operating systems; systems development lifecycle; integrated legal, social, ethical, environmental and professional dimensions

50%

Unit 2: Computer Programming

Computational thinking (investigation, decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition); algorithm design and data modelling; Python implementation; user interfaces; testing, refinement and evaluation against a pre-released scenario set by WJEC each year

How to Pass the Wales GCSE Computer Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: A*–G overall grade (Wales GCSE scale)
  • Assessment: Unitised, untiered single-award GCSE. Unit 1 digital exam 50% (80 marks, 1h 30m); Unit 2 on-screen programming exam with pre-released brief 50% (80 marks, 2h). Qual code 3460QS. First teaching September 2025; Unit 1 first available summer 2026; Unit 2 first available summer 2027.
  • Time limit: Unit 1: 1 hour 30 minutes; Unit 2: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: £46.80 centre entry fee for the full single-award Made-for-Wales GCSE (WJEC 2026/27 fees). Paid by the school/centre — learners do not typically pay a separate public exam fee.

Keys to Passing

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

Wales GCSE Computer Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn Unit 1 theory deeply — architecture, data representation, networks, security and ethics underpin both papers
2Practise Python daily: selection, iteration, lists, functions, validation, file handling and simple interfaces
3Use trace tables and dry-run code on paper before relying on an IDE
4When the pre-release arrives, decompose requirements and design algorithms early — do not expect to take notes into the exam
5Revise legal and ethical impacts with real examples (privacy, bias, environment, professional practice)
6Use official WJEC Guidance for Teaching and Sample Assessment Materials when published — match command words and mark schemes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Made-for-Wales GCSE Computer Science the same as England GCSE Computer Science?

No. This is a WJEC qualification regulated by Qualifications Wales for centres in Wales (not available to centres in England). It uses the A*–G grade scale and a two-unit structure with a pre-released programming exam. England GCSEs use AQA, OCR or Edexcel boards and the 9–1 scale.

How is the Made-for-Wales GCSE Computer Science assessed?

Unit 1 Understanding Computer Science is a digital examination lasting 1 hour 30 minutes (50%, 80 marks) with objective, short and extended answers. Unit 2 Computer Programming is a 2-hour on-screen examination (50%, 80 marks) based on a pre-released brief, completed in Python. The qualification is unitised and not tiered.

Does this free practice test match the official exam format?

No. The official exams are not pure multiple-choice. Unit 1 mixes response types and Unit 2 is a programming performance exam. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation to build topic knowledge, algorithm reasoning and code-trace skills — use it alongside past SAMs, programming practice and the official pre-release workflow.

What is the pre-released brief for Unit 2?

WJEC issues a scenario with requirements the academic year before the Unit 2 exam (for example, September of the year before a summer sitting). Centres may introduce it when ready. Work on the brief before the exam is not formally assessed and cannot be taken into the examination; a copy of the brief is provided in the exam, which adds further requirements.

How much does the exam cost?

WJEC’s 2026/27 centre entry fee for a full single-award Made-for-Wales GCSE (including Computer Science) is £46.80. This is paid by the school or centre. Learners in typical school provision do not pay a separate public candidate fee for entry.

What languages is the qualification available in?

Assessments are available in English and Welsh (Cymraeg), consistent with other Made-for-Wales GCSEs offered by WJEC.

When was first teaching and when are first awards?

First teaching is September 2025 (Wave 1 Made-for-Wales). Unit 1 is first available in summer 2026; Unit 2 is first available in summer 2027. It is most appropriate for learners to sit Unit 2 in the final year of the course.

What programming language is used in Unit 2?

Python is the specified language for the Unit 2 on-screen examination.