…day June 20XX – Morning/Afternoon

GCSE (9–1) Computer Science

J277/02 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

SAMPLE MARK SCHEME

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

MAXIMUM MARK 80

SAMPLE MARK SCHEME

Version 1.5

This document consists of 22 pages

R10049/17
 MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARATION FOR MARKING

SCORIS

1. Make sure that you have accessed and completed the relevant training packages for on–screen marking: scoris assessor Online Training;
OCR Essential Guide to Marking.

2. Make sure that you have read and understood the mark scheme and the question paper for this unit. These are posted on the RM
Cambridge Assessment Support Portal http://www.rm.com/support/ca

3. Log–in to scoris and mark the required number of practice responses (“scripts”) and the required number of standardisation responses.

YOU MUST MARK 10 PRACTICE AND 10 STANDARDISATION RESPONSES BEFORE YOU CAN BE APPROVED TO MARK LIVE
SCRIPTS.

Assessment Objective
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO1 1a Demonstrate knowledge of the key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO1 1b Demonstrate understanding of the key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO2 1a Apply knowledge of key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO2 1b Apply understanding of key concepts and principles of computer science.
AO3 Analyse problems in computational terms:
• to make reasoned judgements
• to design, program, evaluate and refine solutions.
AO3 1 To make reasoned judgements (this strand is a single element).
AO3 2a Design solutions.
AO3 2b Program solutions.
AO3 2c Evaluate and refine solutions.

2
COMPONENT 2 SECTION B SYNTAX GUIDANCE

In Section B, certain questions require candidates to answer in either the OCR Exam Reference Language or the high-level programming language
they are familiar with. The information in this section provides generic guidelines in relation to the marking of these questions.

Where a response requires an answer in OCR Exam Reference Language or a high-level programming language, a candidate’s level of precision
will be assessed. These questions are designed to test both a candidate’s programming logic and understanding of core programming structures.

Marks will be given for correctly using syntax to represent core programming constructs which are common across all programming languages. The
construct must be present in a recognisable format in a candidate’s answer.

Where the response requires a candidate to respond using the OCR Exam Reference Language or a high-level programming language, answers
written in pseudocode, natural English or bullet points must not be awarded marks.

The guidance below covers the elements of each core construct. As guidance, several examples are provided for each. These examples are not
exclusive but do present a variety of acceptable ways taken from a range of different languages.

3
Concept Examiner Guidance
Commenting
// //This function squares a number • Other examples allowable, e.g.:
function squared(number) o # this is a comment
squared = number^2 o /* this is another comment */
return squared
endfunction
//End of function
Variables
= x = 3 • Variables and constants are assigned using the = operator
const name = "Louise" • Constants are assigned using the const keyword (or similar)
global const vat = 0.2 • Identifiers should not have clear spaces within them or start with
global userID = "Cust001"
numbers
• String values must use quotation marks (or equivalent)
• Assignment must use =, :=,  (or a suitable alternative)
• variable identifier must be on the left when using OCR Exam
Reference Language and the value to be assigned on the right
• Some languages allow the value on the left- and the identifier on
the right-hand side
• Variables and constants are declared the first time a value is
assigned. They assume the data type of the value they are given
• Variables and constants that are declared inside a function or
procedure are local to that subroutine
• Variables in the main program can be made global with the
keyword global
• For input, a suitable command word for input and a variable
identifier to assign data to (if required)
e.g.
INPUT identifier
identifier = INPUT

4
Input/Output
input(…) myName = input("Please enter a • For output, a command word for output (e.g. output, print, cout)
name")
• Data to be output. If this is a string then quotation marks (or
print(…)
equivalent) are required
print("My name is Noni") • If multiple items are to output, a suitable symbol for concatenation
print(myArray[2,3]) such as +, &.

Casting
str() str(345) • Variables can be typecast using the int str and float functions

int() int("3")

real() real("4.52")

bool() bool("True")

Iteration
for … to … for i=0 to 9 • for keyword
print("Loop") • …with counter variable
next … next i
• Identification of number of times to iterate
• Clear identification of which section of code will be repeated (e.g.
for … to … step … for i=2 to 10 step 2 using indentation, next keyword or equivalent, {braces} )
print(i)
next … next i

for i=10 to 0 step -1

print(i)
next i

5
while … while answer != "Correct" • While / do..until key words or equivalent
answer = input("New answer") • …with logical comparison
endwhile endwhile
• clear identification of which section of code will be repeated (e.g.
using indentation, endwhile/until keyword or equivalent, braces)
do do
answer = input("New answer")
until … until answer == "Correct"
Selection
if … then if answer == "Yes" then • if key word followed by logical comparison
elseif … then print("Correct") • key word for elseif or equivalent followed by logical
else elseif answer == "No" then
comparison
print("Wrong")
endif
else
• key word for else or equivalent with no comparison
print("Error") • clear identification of which section of code will be executed
endif depending upon decision

switch … : switch day : • May be referred to differently in some languages. The format to
case … : case "Sat": the left will be used in all questions
case … : print("Saturday")
• switch/select key word or equivalent followed by variable/
default: case "Sun":
value being checked
endswitch print("Sunday")
default: • key word for each case followed by variable/ value to compare to
print("Weekday") • key word for default case (last option)
endswitch • clear identification of which section of code will be executed
depending upon decision

6
String handling/operations
.length subject = "ComputerScience" • Suitable key word to indicate length and string
subject.length gives the value 15 identifier e.g. len(string)

.substring(x , i) subject.substring(3,5) returns "puter" • Suitable string and characters required identified
.left(i) subject.left(4) returns "Comp" • Use of key words such as left, right, mid,
.right(i)
subject.right(3) returns "nce" etc, are all acceptable as long as these are precise
• Treating a string as an array of characters is
acceptable

+ (concatenation) print(stringA + string) • Alternate symbol used indicate two strings or values
print("Hello, your name is : " + name) are being concatenated is acceptable e.g. stringA
& stringB or stringA.stringB
• Use of comma e.g. print(stringA, stringB)is
acceptable to output multiple values but examiners
should be aware that this is not concatenation.

.upper subject.upper gives "COMPUTERSCIENCE" • Suitable key word to indicate string to be converted
.lower subject.lower gives "computerscience" and whether this is to be converted to upper or
lower case e.g. lower(stringname)
ASC(…) ASC ('A') returns 65 (numerical)
CHR(…) • Suitable keyword to indicate conversion and
CHR(97) returns 'a' (char)
whether this is to or from ASCII. Where converting
from ASCII, an integer value must be given and
where converting to ASCII, a single character must
be given.

7
File handling
open(…) myFile = open("sample.txt") • open keyword (or equivalent)
.close() myFile.close() • read or write clearly identified
• write or read keyword (or equivalent)
.readLine() myFile.readLine()returns the next line in the file • close file keyword (or equivalent)
.writeLine(…) myFile.writeLine("Add new line") • newFile keyword (or equivalent)

.endOfFile() while NOT myFile.endOfFile()

print(myFile.readLine())
endwhile

newFile() newFile("myText.txt")

Arrays
array colours[…] array colours[5] • Array identifier
• Index number to be accessed in square brackets,
rounded brackets or curly braces (all acceptable)

array colours = ["Blue", "Pink", "Green", • Array identifier assigned to initial values in one step
"Yellow", "Red"]
array gameboard[…,…]
• For 2D arrays, the two indices should be given in one
array gameboard[8,8]
bracket separated by a comma or in two separate
names[…] = … names[3] = "Noni"
brackets, e.g.
gameboard[4,6]
gameboard[…,…] = … gameboard[1,0] = "Pawn"
gameboard[4][6]

Where 2D arrays are represented by tables in a

question, candidates are expected to use the same
row/column or column/row format as given in the
question. This will always be given.

8
Sub programs
procedure name (…) procedure agePass() • function or procedure key word (or equivalent)
print("You are old enough to ride") • … followed by identifier
endprocedure endprocedure • Any parameters passed in are contained within
brackets and come after identifier name
procedure printName(name)
• Clear identification of which section of code is
print(name)
contained within the subroutine (e.g. indentation,
endprocedure
endsub key word, braces)
procedure multiply (num1, num2)
print(num1 * num2)
endprocedure

procedure(parameters) agePass()

printName(parameter)

multiply(parameter1, parameter2)

function name (…) function squared(number)

• functions only: a suitable method of returning a value
… squared = number^2 (e.g. return keyword or assignment of value to
return … return squared function identifier)
endfunction endfunction
e.g.
def newfunction(x,y)
total = x + y
function(parameters) print(squared(4))
newfunction = total
newValue = squared(4)

9
Random numbers
random(…,…) myVariable = random(1,6) • random key word (or equivalent)
• identification of either smallest and largest number to
myVariable = random(-1.0,10.0) be chosen or just largest number

e.g.
randnumber(10)
rand(1,6)

Comparison operators • = or == are both acceptable for equal to.

== Equal to <= Less than or equal to • <> is acceptable for not equal to.
!= Not equal to > Greater than • Care must be taken by candidates to ensure that > and < are not mixed up.
< Less than >= Greater than or equal to • Candidates must understand that < and > are non-inclusive, so that <9 does not
include 9. This is different than <=9 which is inclusive and therefore does include
Boolean operators
9.
AND Logical AND
• Alternative symbols for arithmetic operators are acceptable where these appear
OR Logical OR in other high-level languages (such as % for MOD or ** for exponentiation).
NOT Logical NOT
Arithmetic operators • 6 x 5 is not an acceptable alternative for multiplication.
+ Addition • Alternative logical operators are acceptable where these appear in other high-
- Subtraction level languages (such as && for AND).
* Multiplication • Alternative Arithmetic Operators may be used as well (such as % for modulus).
^ Exponent • Candidates must be aware that logical operators must be used correctly:
/ Division
if x > 0 AND x < 10 is logically correct.
MOD Modulo
if x > 0 AND < 10 is not logically correct.
DIV Quotient

10
SECTION A
Question Answer Marks Guidance
1 a A B P 2 1 mark for each correct answer in table
(AO1 1b)
1 ‘True’ or ‘T’ are also credit worthy.
1

b 1 Correct Answer Only

(AO1 1b)

2 a • input("enter first number") 5 Allow equivalent pseudocode expressions

• if (AO3 2b) Variables must not have speech marks around them
• num2
• print (num1)
• print (num2)

b • use of condition controlled loop (while or do/until)… 5 e.g. 1

• …checking condition of number larger than or equal to 0 (AO3 2b) store 10 in number
while number is greater than or equal to 0 do the
• Input number from user within loop (FT if no loop)
following:
• multiply number input by 2… Take input from the user, store in number
• ….output value in number Multiply number by 2
Output number

e.g. 2
while number >= 0
number = input()
output(number * 2)
Ignore non-initialisation of value used in condition for
loop.

11
SECTION A
Question Answer Marks Guidance
3 • SELECT StudentName, Subject, Grade 1 Correct Answer Only
• FROM Results (AO1 1b)
2 Accept SELECT *
• WHERE Subject = "Art"
(AO3 2a)

4 a • RebEl 1 Correct Answer Only (allow any case)

(AO2 1b)
b i • uitFr 1 Correct Answer Only (allow any case)
(AO2 1b)
ii 6 1 mark for each correct bullet to a maximum of 6.
• Taking firstname, surname and teacher or student as (AO3 2b)
input If used, a flowchart should represent the bulleted steps
• Checking IF role is teacher/student (using in the answer column.
appropriate selection)
• For teacher ...Generating last 3 letters of surname
using appropriate string manipulation
• ...Generating first 2 of letters of firstname and adding
to previous
• For student.... correctly calculating as before
• Correct concatenation and output

e.g.
Ask the user to input the data, store in variables firstname,
surname and role.
Check whether the role entered is teacher. If it is, join the
right 3 most letters in surname with the left 2 letters in
firstname. Store this in username.
If it is not teacher, join the left 3 letters from firstname with
the left 2 letters from surname. Store this in username.
Output the value in username.

12
SECTION A
Question Answer Marks Guidance
5 a • To convert it to binary/machine code 1 Maximum 1 mark
• The processor can only understand machine code (AO1 1a)

b • Compiler translates all the code in one go… 4 1 mark to be awarded for the correct identification and
• …whereas an interpreter translates one line at a time (AO1 1b) one for a valid description up to a maximum of 4 marks.
• Compiler creates an executable… No more than 2 marks for answers relating only to
• …whereas an interpreter does not/executes one line interpreters and no more than 2 marks for answers only
at a time relating to compilers.
• Compiler reports errors at the end…
• …whereas an interpreter stops when it finds an error

6 a crime bait fright victory nibble loose 4 1 mark for each row from rows 2–5. Allow multiple
(AO2 1b) swaps in one stage, where it is clear that a bubble sort
bait crime fright victory nibble loose has been applied.
bait crime fright nibble victory loose
bait crime fright nibble loose victory
bait crime fright loose nibble victory

13
SECTION A
Question Answer Marks Guidance
6 b • Comparing zebra to orange 4 1 mark per bullet (multiple ways through, marks
• Greater, so split and take right side (AO2 1b) awarded for appropriate comparison and creation of
sub groups).
• Further comparison (1 or 2 depending on choices
made)
• Correct identification of zebra using methodology
above

e.g.

compare zebra to orange

greater, split right

compare to wind

greater, split right

compare to zebra

7 a 1 mark for naming the example and 1 mark for an example 4

related to that method (AO2 1b)

E.g
• Comments/annotation…
• …E.g. any relevant example, such as line 4 checks
the input is valid

• Indentation…
• …E.g. indenting within IF statement

• Using constants…
• …E.g. π

14
SECTION A
Question Answer Marks Guidance
7 b • radius 2 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 marks.
• area (AO1 1b)
c i • 3.142 1 1 mark for one correct identification.
• 2 (AO2 1a)
• 1
• 30
c ii • The number does not need to be changed while the 1 Maximum of 1 mark.
program is running (AO1 1a)
• The number can be updated once and it updates
throughout
d • HAS been used 3
• HAS been used AO2 1b
• HAS NOT been used
e • Error diagnostics (any example) 2 1 mark per bullet to a maximum of 2 marks.
• Run-time environment (AO1 1a) Only 1 example per bullet, e.g. auto-correct and auto-
• Editor (any feature such as auto-correct, auto-indent) indent would only gain 1 mark.
• Translator
• Version control
• Break point
• Stepping

15
SECTION B
Question Answer Marks Guidance
8 a Integer (1)… 1 One mark for appropriate data type identified.
(AO3 2a)
• …number of seconds not important (1) 1 One mark for appropriate justification linked to the data
• … level of accuracy not needed so round to nearest (AO3 1) type chosen.
minute (1)
• …using a decimal to store seconds (0-60) is not
appropriate (1)

Real (1)…
• … number of seconds may be important (1)

• … allows parts/fractions to be stored over integers (1)

8 b i • or 3
• >300 // >= 301 (AO3 2b) High-level programming language / OCR Exam
Reference Language response required
• print
Do not accept pseudocode / natural English.

MP2 do not accept ‘greater than’, must use the HLL

syntax > or >=
MP3 must be a suitable output command word that
could be found in a HLL e.g. print (Python),
console.writeline (VB), cout (C++)

b ii • Suitable invalid test data (i.e. > 300, e.g. 350) 2

• "Value accepted" or equivalent (AO3 2c)

16
SECTION B
Question Answer Marks Guidance
8 c print (minsPlayed[0,4]) 1 High-level programming language / OCR Exam
(AO3 2b) Reference Language response required

Do not accept pseudocode / natural English.

print may be a suitable output command word that

could be found in a HLL e.g. print (Python),
console.writeline (VB), cout (C++)

The array elements may be accessed together [0,4]

(VB.NET) or separately [0][4] (Python)
8 d • Initialises total as 0 and prints out total the end (as per 4 High-level programming language / OCR Exam
original program) (AO3 2c) Reference Language response required
• Uses iteration, e.g. FOR, WHILE
Do not accept pseudocode / natural English.
• …that repeats 5 times
• …correctly adds up values using loop index MP1 must have appropriate identifier, = and then the
numeric 0
e.g. MP2 must have for or while
total = 0 MP3 must have the for stopping condition 4/5
for x = 0 to 4 MP4 must have the same identifier for MP1 and equal
total = total + hoursplayed[2, x] and + to add the data in the array (using either [x,y]
next x
or [x][y]. This could be total = total + …. Or
console.writeline(total)
total += ….
e.g.
total = 0
for x in range (0, 4)
total += hoursplayed[2][x]
next x
print (total)

17
SECTION B
Question Answer Marks Guidance
e.g.
total = 0;
for (int x = 0; x <= 4; x++){
total = total + hoursplayed[2][x];
}
System.out.println (total);

8 e 4
(AO3 2c) one mark for first row
x y output
one mark for row 2 and 3
MP1 15 0 one mark for rows 4, 5, and 6

14 1 one mark for the correct output (the only value in the
MP2 output column, in any position)
12 2

9 3

MP3 5 4

0 5

MP4 5
8 f 1 mark per bullet 4 Mark test data first, both must meet different criteria.
• Test data either 0 or less characters, or 20 or more (AO3 2c) Then mark output for each.
characters
• Stating correct output

• Test data between 1 and 19 characters (inc)

• Stating correct output

18
SECTION B
Question Answer Marks Guidance
8 g i Input 2
• Number of hours and minutes (AO3 2a)

Output
• Number of minutes

g ii • Program calls function correctly using hours and minutes 4 hours = input("Please enter number of
variables (AO3 2a) hours played")
• Parameters used appropriately
• Calculation is computed accurately minutes = input("Please enter number of
• Final total is returned suitably minutes played")

finalTotal = totalMins(hours, minutes)

print (finalTotal)

function totalMins(hours,minutes)

total = (hours * 60) + mins

return total

endfunction

1. Parameters named in function must be used

within the function itself
2. Does not matter if function uses different names
to those declared in main program
3. Return must be included with the correct local
variable for total

19
SECTION B
Question Answer Marks Guidance
8 g iii • Takes input from the user 4 High-level programming language / OCR Exam
• Compares if input is larger than 120… (AO3 2b) Reference Language response required
• …if true, outputs "You played games for too
long!" Do not accept pseudocode / natural English.
• …if false, outputs "You are under your time
limit!" Example algorithm given below

minutes = input("Enter minutes played")

if minutes > 120
print "You played games for too long!"
else
print "You are under your time limit!"
endif

Accept alternative (but suitable) output messages.

Accept logical comparison of input less than or equal to

120 and appropriate True/False statements.

20
Summary of updates
Date Version Details
February 2024 1.5 Mark scheme syntax guidance table:
• String handling/operations on page 7: added single quotations around ('A') and corrected formatting of 'a'.
• Arithmetic operators on page 10: updated Modulus to Modulo.

October 2023 1.4 Updated the advice on the front cover to include timing recommendations for Section A and B. Timing
recommendation has been added at the start of Section A and updated at the start of Section B.

July 2020 1.3 • Question 2a increased to 5 marks. Reflected in the mark scheme.
• Question 8b(ii) reduced to 2 marks. Reflected in the mark scheme.

June 2020 1.2 • Updated question 8(c) from ‘Write program code’ to ‘Write a line of code’
• Updated mark scheme guidance on page 19 for question 8(g)(ii) from total = hours + mins * 60 to
total = (hours * 60) + mins
• Syntax ‘Guide’ updated to Syntax ‘guidance’
• Within the syntax guidance, added concatenation and an additional way of declaring 1D arrays
• Corrected typos

October 2019 1.1 • Updated question 1(a) and the mark scheme to reflect that teachers more commonly use ‘0’ and ‘1’ rather than
‘True’ and ‘False’.
• Question 8(f) on page 17 - updated the ‘v’ in ‘valid’ to lower case
• Mark scheme on page 10 - minor reformatting of the Operators table
• Mark scheme on page 17 – added ‘while’ to the MP2 guidance column
• Mark scheme on page 20 - updated ‘mins’ to ‘minutes’ and capitalised ‘E’ in ‘Enter’

September 2019 1 To clearly differentiate the updated approach for the external assessment of Practical Programming skills for first
teach 2019 / first assessment 2022, we have updated our qualification code from J276 to J277.

September 2019 1 We’ve introduced sectioning – Section A and Section B. Section B contains questions that relate to the updates
made to our qualification for first teach 2020 / first assessment 2022 where we assess Practical Programming skills
in the examination. Some questions in Section B require candidates to answer in either the OCR Exam Reference
Language or a high-level programming language.

21
 Mapping of questions:

J277 SAM J276 SAM

1(a) 3 (c)
1(b) new
2(a) new
2(b) new
3 new
4(a) updated 4(a)
4(b) (i) and 4(b) (ii) 4(b)
5(a) 5(a)
5(b) 5(b)
6(a) 7(a)
6(b) 7(b)
7(a) 8(a)
7(b) 8(b)
7(c)(i) and 7(c)(ii) 8(c)(i) and (c)(ii)
7(d) new
7(e) 8(d)
8(a) new
8(b)(i) new
8(b)(ii) new
8(c) 6(c)(i)
8(d) new
8(e) new
8(f) 6(d)
8(g)(i) new
8(g)(ii) 6(e)
8(g)(iii) new

September 2019 1 We’ve reviewed the look and feel of our papers through text, tone, language, images and formatting. For more
information please see our assessment principles in our ‘Exploring our question papers’ brochure on our website.

22