Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science (1CP2)
Exam structure at a glance for Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science: every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus tiers, practicals and the links you need.
Learn how – Exam course packs: watch the 1-minute video · print (PDF) · also Teacher Information Packs
- Board
- Pearson Edexcel
- Specification code
- 1CP2
- Tiers
- No tiers (one paper set for all)
- First teaching
- 2020
- First exams
- 2022
- Exam papers
- 2 · 3 h 30 min in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
The national curriculum content behind this GCSE: KS4 Computing programme of study.
Plan the whole year: open this course in the Year Planner – every lesson dated around your term dates, with a coverage check. Free.
Track your class against these statements with Classfern Pro. What's in Pro Join Classfern Pro
Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Principles of Computer Science | 1 h 30 min | 75 | 50% | Written paper on topics 1-5: computational thinking, data, computers, networks, issues and impact. Five compulsory questions, one per topic, with multiple choice, short to extended answers, tables and diagrams. |
| Paper 2: Application of Computational Thinking | 2 h | 75 | 50% | On-screen practical exam on topic 6: design, write, test and refine programs in Python 3 using the school's chosen IDE, with coding files, a paper copy of the questions and the Programming Language Subset. Six compulsory questions. |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole GCSE. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- Question types (our summary): Paper 2 is taken on screen (Python 3).
Not yet confirmed by us: Calculator use not stated on the at-a-glance pages read.. Check the specification.
Key dates
Summer 2027 exam series
- Entries deadline: Sun, 21 February 2027
- First exam: Mon, 10 May 2027
- Last GCSE exam: Fri, 18 June 2027
- Contingency day: Wed, 23 June 2027
- GCSE results day: Thu, 19 August 2027 (from a provisional board timetable)
Sources: JCQ key dates June 2027 (final (JCQ key dates)); JCQ key dates and timetables; JCQ timetable commentary. Check each board's final timetable for paper dates. Last checked 2026-10-20.
Specification, past papers and grade boundaries
- Pearson Edexcel: Specification at a glance (board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Specification (PDF, board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Past papers and mark schemes (board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Grade boundaries (board website)
Facts checked against: qualifications.pearson.com, qualifications.pearson.com.
More packs
Exam facts (paper names, times, marks, weightings, tiers, codes) are taken from each exam board's own specification pages and summarised in our own words; no specification text, papers or mark schemes are reproduced. Exam details checked against the board's specification on 2026-10-20. Always check the current specification on the board's website.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Ofqual and DfE pages on GOV.UK). Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, Ofqual, JCQ, AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR or WJEC Eduqas.
Questions teachers ask
How long are the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science exams?
Paper 1: 1 h 30 min; Paper 2: 2 h.