Question 1
Why does a computer convert all data, including text, sound and images, into binary before it processes it?
IGCSE Computer Science syllabus 2026 to 2028
Ten topics and two written papers, each worth half the grade. Paper 1 is computer systems; Paper 2 is algorithms, programming and logic, written in pseudocode.
26 weeks, 104 hours in all
Start with Section 5
Programming and databases: 19.2 of your hours. It is 8 of the 40 questions on our timed checks, 20%.
| Section | Your hours | Share of the checks |
|---|---|---|
| Section 5: Programming and databases | 19.2 | 20% |
| Section 1: Data representation and transmission | 16.8 | 18% |
| Section 2: Hardware and software | 16.8 | 18% |
| Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving | 16.8 | 18% |
| Section 3: The internet, security and emerging technologies | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 6: Boolean logic | 12 | 13% |
Week by week
- Week 1Section 5: Programming and databases
- Week 2Section 5: Programming and databases
- Week 3Section 5: Programming and databases
- Week 4Section 5: Programming and databases
- Week 5Section 5: Programming and databases, Section 1: Data representation and transmission
- Week 6Section 1: Data representation and transmission
- Week 7Section 1: Data representation and transmission
- Week 8Section 1: Data representation and transmission
- Week 9Section 1: Data representation and transmission
- Week 10Section 2: Hardware and software
- Week 11Section 2: Hardware and software
- Week 12Section 2: Hardware and software
- Week 13Section 2: Hardware and software
- Week 14Section 2: Hardware and software, Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving
- Week 15Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving
- Week 16Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving
- Week 17Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving
- Week 18Section 4: Algorithm design and problem-solving, Section 3: The internet, security and emerging technologies
- Week 19Section 3: The internet, security and emerging technologies
- Week 20Section 3: The internet, security and emerging technologies
- Week 21Section 3: The internet, security and emerging technologies
- Week 22Section 6: Boolean logic
- Week 23Section 6: Boolean logic
- Week 24Section 6: Boolean logic
- Week 25A timed check and two written questions, then review every lost mark
- Week 26A timed check and two written questions, then review every lost mark
| Paper 1 | Computer systems, 1 hour 45 minutes, 75 marks, 50% |
|---|---|
| Paper 2 | Algorithms, programming and logic, 1 hour 45 minutes, 75 marks, 50% |
| Calculators | Not allowed in either paper |
| Series | June and November (and March in India) |
The ten topics
Paper 1: 1 Data representation; 2 Data transmission; 3 Hardware; 4 Software; 5 The internet and its uses; 6 Automated and emerging technologies. Paper 2: 7 Algorithm design and problem-solving; 8 Programming; 9 Databases; 10 Boolean logic.
Where marks come from
Across the qualification, 40% of the marks reward knowledge, 40% reward applying it to a context or a program, and 20% reward evaluating systems and writing working solutions. Paper 1 leans on knowledge; Paper 2 leans on application.
The syllabus for 2029
From 2029 a new 0478 syllabus is examined in Python only, with a different final question. This course is built for 2026 to 2028, so if you sit your exams in 2029 or later, check with your school which syllabus you are taking.
Try 2 questions
Question 2
A program accepts the number of guests at a table from 1 to 8. Which value is extreme test data?
Next step
Questions people ask
Which years does this syllabus cover?
Exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in the June and November series (and March in India).
Is there coursework or a practical exam?
No. Two written papers make up the whole grade, but practical programming is the best way to prepare for Paper 2.
Is a calculator allowed?
No. Conversions, file sizes and binary arithmetic are all done by hand.