Paper 3 – Advanced Theory (1 hour 45 minutes)

Focus Areas:
This paper tests your deep understanding of advanced computer science concepts, including networking, databases, object-oriented programming, system software, and machine learning principles.
Questions often assess your ability to analyze, evaluate, and justify using advantages, disadvantages, features, and recommendations.

Tips for Success:

1. Read carefully before you write – identify whether the question wants you to describe, compare, evaluate, or recommend.

2. Use time wisely:

   • Total time: 105 minutes

   • Plan roughly 1 minute per mark.

   • Keep 5–10 minutes at the end to recheck your answers.

3. When writing evaluative answers:

   • Include at least two advantages and two disadvantages.

   • Conclude with a recommendation — show judgment and reasoning.

   • Example: While using cloud-based databases allows global access, on-premise databases provide better control — therefore, a hybrid solution may be most suitable.

4. Focus on Features:

   • When a question asks about features, mention how each feature helps achieve a goal.

   • Example: Interrupt handling allows multitasking by prioritizing CPU attention to critical tasks.

5. Use precise technical language – clarity and accuracy earn marks. Avoid vague words like “thing” or “stuff.”

6. Include examples from real-world computing scenarios (e.g., OS scheduling, database indexing, or encryption protocols).

7. Practice past paper questions regularly, especially 8–10 mark evaluative ones that require logical reasoning and balanced discussion.