Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210 syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Subject content

3 Hardware
3.1 Computer architecture

Candidates should be able to: Notes and guidance

1 (a) Understand the role of the central • The CPU processes instructions and data that
processing unit (CPU) in a computer are input into the computer so that the result
can be output
(b) Understand what is meant by a • A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit
microprocessor on a single chip
2 (a) Understand the purpose of the • Including:
components in a CPU, in a computer that – units: arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control
has a Von Neumann architecture unit (CU)
– registers: program counter (PC), memory
address register (MAR), memory data
register (MDR), current instruction register
(CIR) and accumulator (ACC)
– buses: address bus, data bus and control
bus
(b) Describe the process of the • How instructions and data are fetched from
fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle, random access memory (RAM) into the CPU,
including the role of each component in the how they are processed using each component
process and how they are then executed
• Storing data and addresses into specific
registers
• Using buses to transmit data, addresses and
signals
• Using units to fetch, decode and execute data
and instructions
3 Understand what is meant by a core, cache • The number of cores, size of the cache and
and clock in a CPU and explain how they can speed of the clock can a ect the performance
a ect the performance of a CPU of a CPU
4 Understand the purpose and use of an • An instruction set is a list of all the commands
instruction set for a CPU that can be processed by a CPU, and the
commands are machine code
5 Describe the purpose and characteristics of • An embedded system is used to perform a
an embedded system and identify devices in dedicated functions. For example in, domestic
which they are commonly used appliances, cars, security systems, lighting
systems or vending machines. This is di erent
to a general purpose computer that is used to
perform many di erent functions. For example
in, a personal computer (PC) or a laptop

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 Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210 syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Subject content

3.2 Input and output devices

Candidates should be able to: Notes and guidance

1 Understand what is meant by an input device • Including:
and why it is required – barcode scanner
– digital camera
– keyboard
– microphone
– optical mouse
– QR code scanner
– touch screen (resistive, capacitive and
infra-red)
– two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional
(3D) scanners
2 Understand what is meant by an output device • Including:
and why it is required – actuator
– digital light processing (DLP) projector
– inkjet printer
– laser printer
– light emitting diode (LED) screen
– liquid crystal display (LCD) projector
– liquid crystal display (LCD) screen
– speaker
– 3D printer
3 (a) Understand what is meant by a sensor and • Limited to:
the purposes of sensors – acoustic
– accelerometer
– flow
– gas
– humidity
– infra-red
– level
– light
– magnetic field
– moisture
– pH
– pressure
– proximity
– temperature
(b) Identify the type of data captured by each
sensor and understand when each sensor
would be used, including selecting the most
suitable sensor for a given context

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 Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210 syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Subject content

3.3 Data storage

Candidates should be able to: Notes and guidance

1 Understand what is meant by primary storage • Primary storage is directly accessed by the
CPU
• Including the role of:
– random access memory (RAM)
– read only memory (ROM)
• Including why a computer needs both RAM
and ROM, and the di erence between them
2 Understand what is meant by secondary • Secondary storage is not directly accessed by
storage the CPU and is necessary for more permanent
storage of data
3 Describe the operation of magnetic, optical • Magnetic storage uses platters which are
and solid-state (flash memory) storage and give divided into tracks and sectors. Data is read
examples of each and written using electromagnets. Including
hard disk drive (HDD)
• Optical storage uses lasers to create and read
pits and lands. Including: CD, DVD and Blu-ray
• Solid-state (flash memory) uses NAND or NOR
technology. Transistors are used as control
gates and floating gates. Including: solid-state
drive (SSD), SD card and USB drive
4 Describe what is meant by virtual memory, how • Pages of data are transferred between RAM
it is created and used and why it is necessary and virtual memory when needed
5 Understand what is meant by cloud storage • Cloud storage can be accessed remotely in
comparison to storing data locally
6 Explain the advantages and disadvantages • Physical servers and storage are needed to
of storing data on the cloud in comparison to store data in cloud storage
storing it locally

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 Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210 syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Subject content

3.4 Network hardware

Candidates should be able to: Notes and guidance

1 Understand that a computer needs a network
interface card (NIC) to access a network
2 Understand what is meant by, and the purpose • A network interface card is given a MAC
of, a media access control (MAC) address, address at the point of manufacture
including its structure • MAC addresses are usually written as
hexadecimal
• MAC addresses are created using the
manufacturer code and the serial code
3 (a) Understand what is meant by, and the • An IP address is allocated by the network and it
purpose of, an internet protocol (IP) address can be static or dynamic
(b) Understand that there are di erent types of • Including the characteristics of, and di erences
IP address between, IPv4 and IPv6
4 Describe the role of a router in a network • A router sends data to a specific destination on
a network
• A router can assign IP addresses
• A router can connect a local network to the
internet

4 Software
4.1 Types of software and interrupts

Candidates should be able to: Notes and guidance

1 Describe the di erence between system • System software provides the services that the
software and application software and provide computer requires, including operating system
examples of each and utility software
• Application software provides the services that
the user requires
2 Describe the role and basic functions of an • Including:
operating system – managing files
– handling interrupts
– providing an interface
– managing peripherals and drivers
– managing memory
– managing multitasking
– providing a platform for running applications
– providing system security
– managing user accounts

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