← GCSE Computer Science

A07 3.1.1 Trace tables and determining an algorithm's purpose

Currently Gap · last touched 2026-10-23

Headings were supplied this time. Next: set a trace with no headings given and see if she draws columns per variable unprompted.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-23Gap → Gap23 Oct: finished 19 Oct trace (7,3,0 running total) on paper, headings and before-loop row present, OUTPUT 10 correct; only slip x=0 on the first row, fixed when asked what x is before input. Headings were given.session 136
2026-10-20Gap → Gap19 Oct: first reply to a headings-only trace was the algorithm copied out. After rows 1-2 were set out she completed the x*2 table alone, all right (output 4), and later traced her own program on 7,3,0 unaided, right. Stays gap, proposed developing for adjudication.session 117
2026-10-16Gap → GapSession 114, 16 Oct, trace on paper from three headings only (i, total, OUTPUT), no grid or row labels, unseen loop (total <- total + i, FOR i <- 1 TO 4): table drawn by her unaided, photo 13:36 - first from headings alone. Values: no before-loop row, total held i (1, 2, 3), three passes, OUTPUT 3. 'The new total, not i' -> 6; passes -> '3'; inclusive bound taught; final -> 10. Layout hers; values 0/1 unaided, right after three questions. Stays gap. Retrieval: retry.standalone
2026-10-15Gap → Gap15 Oct, REPEAT...UNTIL trace with input (cat, dog, stop) on paper. Three headings given; first row typed by her unaided (counter 0). Then 'please explane what you are asking me': grid with row labels (before / pass 1-3 / after) given; table on paper 10:03 with every value right - 0, cat 1, dog 2, stop 3, OUTPUT 3; OUTPUT written on the pass-3 row not the after row. Confirmed with a scaffold; no table from headings alone yet: stays gap.session 108
2026-10-06Gap → Gap6 Oct, REPEAT...UNTIL trace on paper (n doubles until n > 10, with count). Opened - layout taught, one guided item; apply not run. Set first as an independent task before the layout was taught (planning fault): two replies gave a count (3, then four with her own reason) and no table. After headings and two rows were given: rows 4/2, 8/3, 16/4 and OUTPUT 4 correct, stopped on the right pass. 'Why 16 not 8' 0/1 open, right after a true/false. No unaided table: stays gap.session 79
2026-09-28Not started → GapPlacement rule (parent, 28 Sep): attempted below 70% → gap. Placement paper 1 Q11 trace table, 27 Sep: rows (3,3) (0,4) right, pre-loop row (5,2) omitted, output -1 from an extra pass — 2/4. notstarted → gap.standalone
2026-09-28Not started → Not startedPlacement Q11 trace of a while loop: rows (3,3) and (0,4) correct, starting row (5,2) omitted, output given as -1 — one pass too many after a > 0 became false. 2/4, 27 Sep.session 52

In papers

AttemptPaperQMarksNote
Placement — Computer Science paper 1 (Python) — GCSE Computer Science sectionexam-skills #1112/4Rows: (3,3) ✓, (0,4) ✓; starting row (5,2) absent; output given as -1 (an extra pass). Marks 2 and 3 awarded, 1 and 4 not. 2/4.

Materials

Craig'n'Dave: SLR 07 Algorithms (video playlist)
Trace tables are thin here. Code Lab tasks a07-trace1, a07-trace2 and a07-trace-linear carry the drilling.
video
PMT: Fundamentals of Algorithms (notes, flashcards, questions)
Free, no login. Exam questions here include trace tables — require the full table, not just the answer.
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