Diagnostic assessment for GCSE computer science
CO412 Online course
Learn how to use quality-assured, free subject knowledge tests for diagnostic assessment of students of computer science GCSE.
Skip to course bookingAssessment of subject knowledge is important to inform teaching. This short session introduces the free, quality-assured test banks provided by the National Centre for Computing Education, designed to reduce teacher workload. Two assessment packages will be presented:
Diagnose gaps in KS3 computing curriculum knowledge to ensure students have firm foundations at transition, or upon the return to classroom teaching;
Assess the breadth of the GCSE Computer Science curriculum, providing an additional source of data to support centre-assessment of summer exams.
You’ll learn how to easily adapt tests to fit your curriculum expectations, and how to assign tests to classes of students. Each test produces a rich set of assessment data that can be used to adapt teaching and target interventions.
Who is it for?
Teachers and subject leaders of KS3 computing and GCSE computer science.
Topics covered
This course will cover the online diagnostic assessment tools you can use with your students to assess their progress in GCSE Computer Science.
How long is this course?
This course will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
How will you learn?
This online, self-paced course can be completed flexibly. You can join and start this course at any time after the advertised date, and keep access for a year after booking.
Outcomes
By the end of this online course you will be able to:
• Know the content and structure of quality-assured tests for GCSE computer science• Be able to allocate tests to your classes• Understand how to access and utilise assessment data to inform teaching
This course is part of Teach secondary computing
Teach secondary computing
Our nationally recognised qualification will give you confidence to take your computing teaching to the next level and to apply those skills in the classroom.
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Available from 31 January 2026.
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