AQA A-level Computer Science past papers and mark schemes
20 papers · June 2017 – June 2025
AQA A-level Computer Science (7517) has Paper 1 and Paper 2 listed here, each worth 100 marks with 2 hours 30 minutes allowed. You will find them under the codes 7517/1 and 7517/2, and some files use 7517/01 and 7517/02 instead.
There are 20 papers in total: 18 from 9 exam series between June 2017 and June 2025, plus 2 specimen papers. Every one has a mark scheme, and 1 file includes an insert. Most files are hosted by AQA, which sets the papers, while some open on Physics & Maths Tutor. With 2 hours 30 minutes per paper, it helps to try a few in full under timed conditions rather than only dipping into individual questions. Mark each attempt against the mark scheme straight away, while your reasoning is still fresh, and keep a short list of the topics that keep tripping you up so you know what to revisit.
Reschedule is a planner for A-level revision. You add your subjects, exam board, paper dates and the days and hours you can study, and it builds a daily plan down to individual subtopics. Past papers with mark schemes are slotted into the plan for each paper, and if you miss a day the unfinished tasks shift to your next study days.
Paper 17517/01, 7517/1
2 h 30 min · 100 marks
What this paper covers
- 4.1 Fundamentals of programmingProgramming basics · Subroutines · Files and exception handling · Programming language classification (4.1) · Recursive algorithms · Basic concepts of object-oriented programming · Functional programming (4.1)
- 4.2 Fundamentals of data structuresArrays · Files and exception handling · Queues · Lists · Stacks · Hash tables and dictionaries · Graphs · Trees · Vectors
- 4.3 Fundamentals of algorithmsSearching and sorting · Graph-traversal algorithms · Optimisation algorithms · Reverse Polish notation
- 4.4 Theory of computationWriting and interpreting algorithms · Abstraction and automation · Finite state machines · Big-O notation · Limits of computation · Sets · Regular expressions · The Turing machine · Backus-Naur Form
- 4.13 Systematic approach to problem solving
| Series | Code | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2024 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2023 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2022 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| November 2021 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2020 | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2019 | 7517/01 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2018 | 7517/01 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2017 | 7517/01 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| Specimen (Sample set 1) | 7517/1 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
Opens on AQA, Physics & Maths Tutor
Paper 27517/02, 7517/2
2 h 30 min · 100 marks
What this paper covers
- 4.5 Fundamentals of data representationNumber systems · Bits, bytes and binary · Binary arithmetic and the representation of fractions · Bitmapped graphics · Digital representation of sound · Data compression and encryption algorithms
- 4.6 Fundamentals of computer systemsHardware and software · Role of an operating system · Programming language classification (4.6) · Programming language translators · Logic gates · Boolean algebra
- 4.7 Fundamentals of computer organisation and architectureInternal computer hardware · The processor · The processor instruction set · Assembly language · Input-output devices · Secondary storage devices
- 4.8 Consequences of uses of computingThe challenges of the digital age
- 4.9 Fundamentals of communication and networkingCommunication methods · Network topology · Client-server and peer-to-peer · Wireless networking, CSMA and SSID · Structure of the Internet · Internet security · TCP/IP, standard application layer protocols · IP addresses · Client server model
- 4.10 Fundamentals of databasesClient server model · Entity relationship modelling · Relational databases and normalisation · Introduction to SQL
- 4.11 Big Data
- 4.12 Fundamentals of functional programmingFunctional programming (4.12) · Function application · Lists in functional programming
| Series | Code | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2024 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2023 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2022 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| November 2021 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| November 2020 | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2019 | 7517/02 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2018 | 7517/02 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| June 2017 | 7517/02 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
| Specimen (Sample set 1) | 7517/2 | Question paper | Mark scheme | — |
Opens on AQA, Physics & Maths Tutor
Common questions
- Where can I find AQA Computer Science mark schemes?
- Every paper on this page has its mark scheme linked in the same row. Each link opens the PDF where it is hosted.
- Which years of AQA Computer Science past papers are here?
- The page lists 18 papers from 9 exam series, June 2017 to June 2025, and 2 specimen or sample papers.
- Do any papers come with an insert?
- Yes. 1 of the papers here has a separate insert, linked in the same row as the paper.
- Are these the official AQA papers?
- They are the papers set by AQA. Links open the PDF where it is hosted: 14 on the AQA website and 6 on Physics & Maths Tutor. Reschedule is independent and not affiliated with any exam board.
- How do I fit past papers into my revision plan?
- Add Computer Science and AQA in Reschedule with the date of each paper. It builds a daily revision plan that schedules each subtopic before the paper that examines it and adds past papers for each paper, then re-fits the plan if you miss a day.
More AQA subjects
Computer Science on other boards
Reschedule is independent and not affiliated with any exam board.