PMT

GCSE
COMPUTER SCIENCE
8525/1A, 8525/1B, 8525/1C
Paper 1 Computational thinking and programming skills
Mark scheme
June 2023

Version: Final 1.0

*236G8525/1/MS*
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.

Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk

The following annotation is used in the mark scheme:

; - means a single mark

// - means alternative response
/ - means an alternative word or sub-phrase
A - means acceptable creditworthy answer. Also used to denote a valid answer that goes beyond
the expectations of the GCSE syllabus.
R - means reject answer as not creditworthy
NE - means not enough
I - means ignore
DPT - in some questions a specific error made by a candidate, if repeated, could result in the
candidate failing to gain more than one mark. The DPT label indicates that this mistake should
only result in a candidate losing one mark on the first occasion that the error is made. Provided
that the answer remains understandable, subsequent marks should be awarded as if the error
was not being repeated.

Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use,
with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use
within the centre.

Copyright © 2023 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

2
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Note to Examiners

In the real world minor syntax errors are often identified and flagged by the development environment.
To reflect this, all responses in a high-level programming language will assess a candidate’s ability to
create an answer using precise programming commands/instructions but will avoid penalising them for
minor errors in syntax.

When marking program code, examiners must take account of the different rules between the languages
and only consider how the syntax affects the logic flow of the program. If the syntax is not perfect but
the logic flow is unaffected then the response should not be penalised.

The case of all program code written by students is to be ignored for the purposes of marking. This is
because it is not always clear which case has been used depending on the style and quality of
handwriting used.

Examiners must ensure they follow the mark scheme instructions exactly. If an examiner is unsure as to
whether a given response is worthy of the marks they must escalate the question to their team leader.

Level of response marking instructions

Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level.

Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.

Step 1 Determine a level

Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the
lower levels of the mark scheme.

When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be
placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.

Step 2 Determine a mark

Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer

3
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.

You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.

Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.

An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.

4
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
01 1 2 marks for AO1 (recall) 2

A sequence / series of steps / instructions;

(that can be followed) to complete a task / to solve a problem;

A. set of instructions / steps

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
01 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

C 10;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
01 3 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

D San FranciscoAlcatraz Island;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
01 4 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

D traz;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
01 5 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

C 4;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

5
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
02 1 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

A Line number 2;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
02 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

A 0;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
02 3 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

C 4;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
03 2 marks for AO1 (understanding) 2

1 mark for the advantage, 1 mark for the expansion point.

Maximum of 2 marks from:

● Structured programs are easier to read / understand / modify; as they

use logical structures // because the code is split into smaller
subroutines / chunks / modules / sections;
● Easier to test / debug a program; that is divided into smaller
subroutines / chunks / modules / sections;
● Subroutines can be reused; which reduces development time;
● Structured programs are easier to maintain; as they use clear
well-documented interfaces // local variables / parameters / return
values // as each subroutine is relatively independent of the other;
● Easier to divide projects up between teams; as code is split into
subroutines / chunks / modules / sections;

Note to examiners: both mark points can be taken from different

bullets, so long as the explanation is relevant to the advantage

eg: Structured programs are easier to understand. This makes it easier

to divide projects between teams (2 marks).

Maximum 1 mark if the explanation is not relevant to the stated

advantage.
Maximum 1 mark if there are two advantages but no explanation of
either.

6
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
04 1 3 marks for AO2 (apply) 3

Maximum 2 marks if Output shows numbers or text only with no other

errors OR fully correct but contains additional characters.

Maximum 1 mark if Output shows numbers or text only or is

inconsistent AND there is at least one error, even if additional
characters present.

First user Second user Third user

Output
input input input

5 6 –1 Area 30

10 4 0 Volume 0

3 5 10 Volume 150

I. quotation marks in the Output column

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
04 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

Maximum of 1 mark from:

● Add validation; A. by example eg check width/length are positive

numbers // check height is –1 or a positive number;

● Change data types used in the question to float / single / double /

decimal / real for inputs;

7
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
05 3 marks for AO2 (apply) 3

a b c

0 1 1

1 1 2

1 2 3

2 3 5

1 mark for correct first row;

1 mark for correct second row;
1 mark for correct third and fourth rows;

Maximum 2 marks if any errors

I. different rows used as long as the order within columns is clear

I. duplicate values on consecutive rows within a column

Note to examiners: Check vertically as well as horizontally for the

effect of duplicate values.

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
06 4 marks for AO3 (design) 4

1 mark for each correct answer

USERINPUT

username

'' R. ""

User not found

I. case / spelling mistakes so long as it is clear which option from

Figure 6 has been selected.

Note to Examiners: If the student has re-written the entire line and
added in the correct missing item, award the mark.

8
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
07 2 marks for AO3 (design), 4 marks for AO3 (program) 6

Program Design
Note that AO3 (design) marks are for selecting appropriate techniques
to use to solve the problem, so should be credited whether the syntax of
programming language statements is correct or not and regardless of
whether the solution works.

Mark A for inputting the number in the group and storing in a variable;
Mark B for using selection;

Program Logic

Mark C for correctly multiplying the number in the group by 15;

Mark D for using an appropriate correct Boolean condition(s) that covers
all paths through the problem, eg >=6 // >5 or equivalent;
Mark E for using an appropriate method to reduce the total charge by
£5;
Mark F for outputting the final total in a logical place;

Maximum 5 marks if any errors in code.

I. Case
I. Messages or no messages with input statements
I. Gaps/spaces throughout the code, except where to do so would
explicitly alter the logic of the code in a way that makes it incorrect.
C# Example 1 (fully correct)
All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

int group = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());

int total = group * 15; (C)
if (group >= 6) { (D)
total = total - 5; (E)
}
Console.WriteLine(total); (F)

I. Indentation in C#
A. Write in place of WriteLine

Python Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

group = int(input())
total = group * 15 (C)
if group >= 6: (D)
total = total - 5 (E)
print(total) (F)

9
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

Dim group As Integer = Console.ReadLine()

Dim total As Integer = group * 15 (C)
If (group >= 6) Then (D)
total = total - 5 (E)
End If
Console.WriteLine(total) (F)

I. Indentation in VB.NET
A. Write in place of WriteLine

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
08 4 marks for AO1 (understanding) 4

Maximum of 4 marks from:

● The list is (repeatedly) divided into sub-lists (half the size / at the
midpoint) until each sub-list is of length 1 (singleton lists) // The list is
divided recursively until each sub-list is of length 1 (singleton lists);

● The algorithm compares / sorts individual elements as pairs;

● (After comparing) the individual items are then (repeatedly) merged

back together into sub-lists // (After comparing) the sub-lists are then
(repeatedly) merged back together;

● (Finally,) one list is produced in the right order (which is the sorted
list);

Note to Examiners: It is perfectly acceptable for the response given to

be based on the contents of Figure 7 rather than a generic explanation.

10
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
09 1 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

A 2;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
09 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

A hulk.year  2003;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
09 3 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

C LEN(filmCollection) – 1;

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
09 4 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

antMan.beingShown  True

//

filmCollection[0].beingShown  True;

A. antMan  Film('Ant-Man', '12A', 2015, True) R.

quotation marks around 2015

I. Case
A. = instead of 
R. Ant-Man
R. Quotation marks around True

11
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
10 1 5 marks for AO2 (apply) 5

1 mark for count column correct;

1 mark for column i correct;
1 mark for the first Natalie row, including j and result correct – not
including i and count;
1 mark for the second Natalie row, including j and result correct –
not including i and count;
1 mark for all of Alex and Roshana rows correct as for Natalie above;

count i person j result

0 0 Natalie 0 78

1 1 81

2 1 Alex 0 27

3 1 51

4 2 Roshana 0 52

5 1 55

I. different rows used as long as the order within columns is clear

I. duplicate values on consecutive rows within a column
I. quotes used around letters (person column)
I. minor spelling mistakes in the person column

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
10 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

C Change line number 7 to: FOR j  0 TO 2

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

12
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
11 1 4 marks for AO3 (test) 4

Test type Test data validChoice difference

startYear 1995
Normal False -1
endYear 2010

startYear 2015
Erroneous False -1
endYear 2000

startYear 2000
Boundary True 23
endYear 2023

1 mark for Normal validChoice result correct;

1 mark for Normal difference result correct;
1 mark for both Erroneous results correct;
1 mark for both Boundary results correct;

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
11 2 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

IF startYear ≥ 2000 THEN // change the ‘less than’ symbol to a

‘greater than or equal to’ symbol;

13
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
12 1 4 marks for AO2 (apply) 4

animalToFind validAnimal start finish mid

wolf False 0 7 3

4 5

6 6
7 7
True

1 mark for correct animalToFind, validAnimal and finish

columns and no other values;
1 mark for correct start column and no other values;
1 mark for having 5 as second value in mid column;
1 mark for the rest of mid column being correct and no other values;

Maximum 3 marks if any errors.

I. different rows used as long as the order within columns is clear

I. duplicate values on consecutive rows within a column

14
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
12 2 3 marks for AO3 (design), 4 marks for AO3 (program) 7

Note to Examiners: As the question asks them to write a routine for the
list fruits, if they have used a series of connected selection
statements rather than an iteration statement they can still gain marks C
and D.

Program Design
Note that AO3 (design) marks are for selecting appropriate techniques
to use to solve the problem, so should be credited whether the syntax of
programming language statements is correct or not and regardless of
whether the solution works.

Mark A for asking the user to input a word and storing the input in a
variable;
Mark B for using iteration;
Mark C for attempting to check each index location within the list/array
fruits;

Program Logic

Mark D for a loop which starts at one end of the list/array fruits and
could correctly iterate through each index to the other end;
Mark E for correctly comparing all 6 fruits against the word to find;
Mark F for code which correctly processes a match;
Mark G for outputting only one of the two messages True and False
depending on the result of the match;

Maximum 5 marks if they have not written their own linear search.
Maximum 6 marks if any errors in code.

I. Case
I. Messages or no messages with input statements
I. Gaps/spaces throughout the code, except where to do so would
explicitly alter the logic of the code in a way that makes it incorrect.
I. any rewritten code that defines fruit

15
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

C# Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)
string[] fruits = { "banana", "apple", "orange",
"pear", "grape", "pineapple" };
string wordToFind = Console.ReadLine();
bool found = false;
int count = 0;
while (found == false && count < fruits.Length) (Part of D,
{ Part of F)
if (fruits[count] == wordToFind) (E)
{
found = true; (F)
}
count += 1;
}
if (found == true) (Part of D)
{
Console.WriteLine("True"); (Part of G)
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("False"); (Part of G)
}
I. Indentation in C#
A. Write in place of WriteLine

C# Example 2 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

string[] fruits = { "banana", "apple", "orange",

"pear", "grape", "pineapple" };
string wordToFind = Console.ReadLine();
bool found = false;
foreach (string fruit in fruits) (Part of D)
{
if (fruit == wordToFind) (E)
{
found = true; (Part of F)
break; (Part of F)
}
}
if (found == true) (Part of F)
{
Console.WriteLine("True"); (Part of G)
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("False"); (Part of G)
}

I. Indentation in C#
A. Write in place of WriteLine

16
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Python Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

fruits = ["banana", "apple", "orange", "pear",

"grape", "pineapple"]
wordToFind = input()
found = False
count = 0
while found == False and count <= len(fruits) - 1: (Part of D,
Part of F)
if fruits[count] == wordToFind: (E)
found = True (Part of F)
count += 1 (Part of D)
if found == True:
print("True") (Part of G)
else:
print("False") (Part of G)

Python Example 2 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

fruits = ["banana", "apple", "orange", "pear",

"grape", "pineapple"]
wordToFind = input()
found = False
for fruit in fruits: (D)
if fruit == wordToFind: (E)
found = True (Part of F)
break (Part of F)
if (found == True): (Part of F)
print("True") (Part of G)
else:
print("False") (Part of G)

17
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

Dim fruits() As String = {"banana", "apple", "orange",

"pear", "grape", "pineapple"}
Dim wordToFind As String = Console.ReadLine()
Dim found As Boolean = False
Dim count As Integer = 0 (Part of D,
While found = False And count <= fruits.GetLength(0) – 1 Part of F)
If fruits(count) = wordToFind Then (E)
found = True (Part of F)
End If
count = count + 1 (Part of D)
End While
If found = True Then
Console.WriteLine("True") (Part of G)
Else
Console.WriteLine("False") (Part of G)
End If
I. Indentation in VB.NET
A. Write in place of WriteLine

VB.NET Example 2 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

Dim fruits() As String = {"banana", "apple",

"orange", "pear", "grape", "pineapple"}
Dim wordToFind As String = Console.ReadLine()
Dim found As Boolean = False
For Each fruit in fruits (D)
If fruit = wordToFind Then (E)
found = True (Part of F)
Exit For (Part of F)
End If
Next
If found = True Then (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine("True") (Part of G)
Else
Console.WriteLine("False") (Part of G)
End If

I. Indentation in VB.NET
A. Write in place of WriteLine

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
12 3 Mark is for AO2 (apply) 1

The list / array fruits is not ordered / sorted;

18
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
12 4 3 marks for AO2 (apply) 3

1 mark for each error corrected.

Maximum 2 marks if any logic errors

I. syntax and other minor errors while rewriting, eg spelling, missing

colons, brackets.
I. other terms for SUBROUTINE as long as they make sense.

Line 1
SUBROUTINE diffCurrencies(x) ;

Line 6
FOR i  7 TO 0 STEP -1 ;;

Total
Question Part Marking guidance
marks
13 2 marks for AO3 (design), 4 marks for AO3 (program) 6

Program Design
Note that AO3 (design) marks are for selecting appropriate techniques
to use to solve the problem, so should be credited whether the syntax of
programming language statements is correct or not and regardless of
whether the solution works.

Mark A for using the variable check within their own code;
Mark B for using selection or equivalent to check the grid references;

Program Logic

Mark C for correctly using an appropriate technique

(slicing/indexing/substring function) with correct syntax to extract the
left and right characters of input // for correctly comparing all nine
possible valid grid references;
Mark D for using one appropriate correct Boolean condition, eg =”A” //
=”2” or equivalent;
Mark E for having all the appropriate correct Boolean conditions to
check the letters and numbers AND for check being set appropriately
in all cases;
Mark F for outputting an appropriate message in a logically appropriate
location if their checks have failed;

Maximum 5 marks if any errors in code.

I. Case
I. Gaps/spaces throughout the code, except where to do so would
explicitly alter the logic of the code in a way that makes it incorrect.

19
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

C# Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

bool check = false;

while (check == false) {
string square = "";
while (square.Length != 2) {
Console.Write("Enter grid reference: ");
square = Console.ReadLine();
square = square.ToUpper();
}
char letter = square[0]; (Part of C,
char number = square[1]; Part of C)
if ((letter == 'A' || letter == 'B' || letter (D)
== 'C') && (number == '1' || number == '2' || (E)
number == '3'))
{
check = true;
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("Not valid, try again."); (F)
}
}

I. Indentation in C#
I. Duplicate } at the end of the program (as if student has missed the bracket in
the writing lines)
A. use of double quotes for Mark E
A. Write in place of WriteLine

Python Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

check = False
while check == False:
square = ""
while len(square) != 2:
square = input("Enter grid reference: ")
square = square.upper()

letter = square[0] (Part of C,

number = square[1] Part of C)

if letter in "ABC" and number in "123": (D)(E)

check = True
else:
print("Not valid, try again. ") (F)

A. use of single quotes for Mark E

20
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

Dim check As Boolean = False

While check = False
Dim square As String = ""
While square.Length <> 2
Console.Write("Enter grid reference: ")
square = Console.ReadLine()
square = square.ToUpper()
End While
Dim letter As String = square(0) (Part of C,
Dim number As String = square(1) Part of C)
If (letter = "A" Or letter = "B" Or letter = (D)
"C") And (number = "1" Or number = "2" Or number (E)
= "3") Then
check = True
Else
Console.WriteLine("Not valid, try again. ") (F)
End If
End While

I. Indentation in VB.NET
I. Duplicate End While at the end of the program (as if student has missed the
bracket in the writing lines)
A. Write in place of WriteLine
A. use of single quotes for Mark E

21
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 2 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A and B)

Dim check As Boolean = False

While check = False
Dim square As String = ""
While square.Length <> 2
Console.Write("Enter grid reference: ")
square = Console.ReadLine()
square = square.ToUpper()
End While
Dim letter As String = square.substring(0,1) (Part of C,
Dim number As String = square.substring(1,1) Part of C)
If (letter = "A" Or letter = "B" Or letter = (D)
"C") And (number = "1" Or number = "2" Or number (E)
= "3") Then
check = True
Else
Console.WriteLine("Not valid, try again. ") (F)
End If
End While

I. Indentation in VB.NET
I. Duplicate End While at the end of the program (as if student has missed the
bracket in the writing lines)
A. Write in place of WriteLine
A. use of single quotes for Mark E

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
14 3 marks for AO2 (apply) 3

1;
i;
method;

Note to Examiners: If the student has re-written the entire line and
added in the correct missing item, award the mark.

22
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
15 3 marks for AO3 (design), 5 marks for AO3 (program) 8
Any solution that does not map to the mark scheme refer to lead
examiner

Program Design
Note that AO3 (design) marks are for selecting appropriate techniques
to use to solve the problem, so should be credited whether the syntax of
programming language statements is correct or not and regardless of
whether the solution works.

Mark A for storing a user input in a variable with a meaningful name;

Mark B for using an iteration structure which attempts to pay the bill;
Mark C for using a selection structure with ELSE / ELSEIF // use of
multiple selection constructs;

Program Logic

Mark D for getting the user input for the total amount of the bill (outside
the loop) AND deducting a payment towards the bill (within the loop);
A. if there is no loop and both elements are present in the right order.
Mark E for a mechanism which will correctly terminate the iteration
structure, in all situations, when the bill is fully paid;
Mark F for two conditions. One which checks / handles if the amount
left to pay is 0 (or less, ie bill is paid), AND one which checks if the
amount left to pay is less than 0 (for tip);
Mark G for outputting in an appropriate place Tip is and the tip as a
number; R. if tip is outputted when the amount left to pay is not less than
zero
Mark H for outputting Bill paid and the amount left to pay in
logically appropriate places;

Maximum 7 marks if any errors in code.

I. Case
I. Gaps/spaces throughout the code, except where to do so would
explicitly alter the logic of the code in a way that makes it incorrect.
I. Messages or no messages with input statements

23
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

C# Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

bool billPaid = false; (Part of E)

decimal total = Convert.ToDecimal (Part of D)
(Console.ReadLine());
while (billPaid == false) (Part of E)
{
decimal partPayment = Convert.ToDecimal (Part of D)
(Console.ReadLine());
total = total - partPayment; (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine(total); (Part of H)
if (total == 0) (Part of F)
{
Console.WriteLine("Bill paid"); (Part of H)
billPaid = true; (Part of E)
} else if (total < 0) (Part of F, G)
{
Console.WriteLine("Tip is " + -total); (Part of G)
billPaid = true; (Part of E)
}
}

I. Indentation in C#
A. Write in place of WriteLine

Python Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

total = float(input()) (Part of D)

billPaid = False (Part of E)
while billPaid == False: (Part of E)
partPayment = float(input()) (Part of D)
total = round(total – partPayment, 2) (Part of D)
print(total) (Part of H)
if total == 0: (Part of F)
print("Bill paid") (Part of H)
billPaid = True (Part of E)
elif total < 0: (Part of F, G)
print(f"Tip is: {-total}") (Part of G)
billPaid = True (Part of E)
A. without rounding / round() statements

24
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B and C)

Dim billPaid As Boolean = False (Part of E)

Dim total As Decimal = Console.ReadLine() (Part of D)
While billPaid = False

Dim partPayment As Decimal = Console.ReadLine() (Part of D)

total = total - partPayment
Console.WriteLine(total) (Part of D)
If total = 0 Then (Part of H)
Console.WriteLine("Bill paid") (Part of F)
billPaid = True (Part of H)
ElseIf total < 0 (Part of E)
Console.WriteLine("Tip is " & -total) (Part of F, G)
billPaid = True (Part of G)
End If (Part of E)
End While

I. Indentation in VB.NET
A. Write in place of WriteLine

25
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks
16 4 marks for AO3 (design), 7 marks for AO3 (program) 11
Any solution that does not map to the mark scheme refer to lead
examiner

Note to Examiners: For marks E and J be careful not to penalise the

same error twice. For example, if they have used 6 instead of 7 in mark
E and then 21 instead of 22 in mark J apply a DPT

Program Design
Note that AO3 (design) marks are for selecting appropriate techniques
to use to solve the problem, so should be credited whether the syntax of
programming language statements is correct or not and regardless of
whether the solution works.

Mark A for attempting to randomly generate two numbers;

Mark B for use of selection to check the current score against 21;
Mark C for using iteration to keep rolling the dice;
Mark D for outputting the dice rolls in appropriate places;

Program Logic

Mark E for generating two random numbers between 1 and 6 inclusive;

Mark F for correctly adding the two dice values cumulatively to the
previous score;
Mark G for a loop that terminates if the current score is less than 21 and
player chooses not to roll again;
Mark H for a correct mechanism to end the game if the player has a
score greater than or equal to 21;
Mark I for a selection statement which correctly checks if the player has
lost (final score is greater than 21) OR won (final score is 21);
Mark J for generating a random number between 15 and 21 inclusive in
a logically correct place AND checking if the result is greater than the
final score;
Mark K for at least one correct set of messages output in appropriate
places to show whether the user has won or lost;

A. yes/y, no/n or any other appropriate equivalents

Maximum 10 marks if any errors in code.

I. Case
I. Gaps/spaces throughout the code, except where to do so would
explicitly alter the logic of the code in a way that makes it incorrect.
I. Messages or no messages with input statements

26
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

C# Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B, C and D)

Random r = new Random();

int score = 0;
string rollAgain = "yes";

while (rollAgain == "yes") (C, Part of G,

Part of H)
{
int dice1 = r.Next(1, 7); (Part of A,E)
int dice2 = r.Next(1, 7); (Part of A,E)
score = score + dice1 + dice2; (F)
Console.WriteLine("Roll 1: " + dice1); (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine("Roll 2: " + dice2); (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine("Current score: " + score); (Part of D)
if (score < 21) (Part of G)
{
rollAgain = Console.ReadLine(); (Part of G)
} else
{
rollAgain = "no"; (Part of H)
}
}
if (score > 21) (Part of I)
{
Console.WriteLine("You lost! ");
(Part of K)
} else if (score == 21)
(Part of I)
{
Console.WriteLine("You won! ");
(Part of K)
} else
(Part of I)
{
if (r.Next(15, 22) > score)
(J)
{
Console.WriteLine("You lost! ");
} else (Part of K)
{
Console.WriteLine("You won! ");
} (Part of K)
}

I. Indentation in C#
A. Write in place of WriteLine

27
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

Python Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B, C and D)

import random
score = 0
rollAgain = "yes"

while rollAgain == "yes": (C, Part of G,

Part of H)
dice1 = random.randrange(1, 7) (Part of A,E)
dice2 = random.randrange(1, 7) (Part of A,E)
score = score + dice1 + dice2 (F)
print(f"Roll 1: {dice1}") (D)
print(f"Roll 2: {dice2}")
print(f"Current score: {score}")
if score < 21: (Part of G)
rollAgain = input() (Part of G)
else:
rollAgain = "no" (Part of H)
if score > 21: (Part of I)
print("You lost! ") (Part of K)
elif score == 21: (Part of I)
print("You won! ") (Part of K)
else: (Part of I)
if random.randrange(15,22) > score: (J)
print("You lost!") (Part of K)
else:
print("You won! ")
(Part of K)

A. random.randint(1, 6)
A. random.randint(15, 21)

28
 PMT

MARK SCHEME – GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 8525/1 – JUNE 2023

VB.NET Example 1 (fully correct)

All design marks are achieved (Marks A, B, C and D)

Dim r As Random = New Random()

Dim score As Integer
Dim rollAgain As String = "yes"
Dim dice1, dice2 As Integer

While rollAgain = "yes" (C, Part of G,

Part of H)
dice1 = r.Next(1, 7) (Part of A,E)
dice2 = r.Next(1, 7) (Part of A,E)
score = score + dice1 + dice2 (F)
Console.WriteLine("Roll 1: " & dice1) (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine("Roll 2: " & dice2) (Part of D)
Console.WriteLine("Current score: " & score) (Part of D)
If score < 21 Then (Part of G)
rollAgain = Console.ReadLine() (Part of G)
Else
rollAgain = "no" (Part of H)
End If
End While

If score > 21 Then (Part of I)

Console.WriteLine("You lost! ") (Part of K)
ElseIf score = 21 Then (Part of I)
Console.WriteLine("You won! ")
(Part of K)
Else
(Part of I)
If r.Next(15, 22) > score Then
(J)
Console.WriteLine("You lost! ")
(Part of K)
Else
Console.WriteLine("You won! ")
(Part of K)
End If
End If

I. Indentation in VB.NET
A. Write in place of WriteLine

29