Algorithms Exam Practice

This lesson brings together everything you have learned about algorithms and data structures, with exam-style questions, worked examples, and key tips for maximising your marks in the GCSE Computer Science exam.

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Exam Structure for Algorithms

In both AQA and OCR GCSE Computer Science exams, the algorithms topic typically appears in:

• Multiple-choice questions — testing definitions and comparisons
• Short-answer questions — explaining how an algorithm works
• Trace table questions — following an algorithm step by step
• Algorithm writing questions — writing pseudocode or flowcharts
• Comparison questions — comparing the efficiency of algorithms

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Worked Example 1: Trace Table Question

Question: Complete the trace table for the following algorithm.

a = 1
b = 1
OUTPUT a
OUTPUT b
FOR i = 1 TO 5
    c = a + b
    OUTPUT c
    a = b
    b = c
NEXT i

Answer: