The update also includes changes to all the mark schemes. Multiple choice answers have been revised to either be diagnostic or to match course key words. Terms definitions have been updated to match the precise wording in the specification where necessary.

To ensure the correct scope we used the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science Getting Started Guide and crossed referenced this with the official published scheme of learning PowerPoint slides.

We noticed that the slides contain significantly more detail than is required by the specification, which is important for context when you are teaching, but can be unhelpful when revising. We have taken a pragmatic approach with this to ensure all the subject specific terminology from the getting started guide is included but not the additional pink words in the scheme of learning. This should ensure the best focus for students.

This update does not include longer answer Advance questions, but we are turning our attention to these next. We anticipate the same level of forensic investigation and tweaking in addition to lots of new questions in the style of real examination papers.

The update is already live for 2025, 2026 and 2027 courses. There is nothing for the teacher to do. The next time students log in and select the course they will be advised there is new content.

There were some situations where it was not possible to completely update the year 11 (2025) course due to its legacy structure in the system. However the year 10 (2026) course is the best one yet. There are also some implications for the analytics reports for year 11 that will now be out of date, but they will rectify themselves the more that students use the system.

Our thanks to Tim Brady, the subject advisor at Pearson for his support with this update.