IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Past Papers
Download free Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from 2020 to 2025. 18 exam sessions available with question papers for all variants.
About IGCSE Computer Science Exams
IGCSE Computer Science past papers test computational thinking, programming, data representation, hardware, software, and networks. Paper 1 covers theory while Paper 2 focuses on problem-solving and programming.
Exam tip: Practice writing pseudocode and trace tables. For Paper 2, ensure your algorithms handle edge cases and include validation.
What's included in each session:
Past Papers by Year
Computer Science 0478 Past Papers
LatestComputer Science 0478 Past Papers
Computer Science 0478 Past Papers
Computer Science 0478 Past Papers
Computer Science 0478 Past Papers
Computer Science 0478 Past Papers
0478 Paper Structure
How to revise with Computer Science past papers
1. Start recent, work backwards
Begin with the newest 2025 papers — they best reflect the current 0478 style and mark scheme wording — then work back through earlier years. The papers change less than students fear, so older sessions are still valuable practice once you've seen the latest format.
2. Sit one paper under timed conditions
Print the question paper, set a timer for the paper's real duration, and answer with no notes. Doing a paper "properly" once teaches you more about pacing and pressure than skimming three papers with the mark scheme open beside you.
3. Mark honestly, then diagnose
Mark against the official 0478 mark scheme and note the topic of every mark you dropped. Patterns show up fast — if the marks you lose cluster in one or two of the high-value topics above, that's your next revision session, not another full paper. Practice writing pseudocode and trace tables. For Paper 2, ensure your algorithms handle edge cases and include validation.
4. Read the examiner report
Each session's examiner report is the highest-value document in the bundle: it names the exact questions that tripped candidates up and what earned the marks. Read it before you re-attempt a paper, then use our Exam Hub to view the question, mark scheme, and report side by side.
Grade thresholds: turning your 0478 mark into a grade
Cambridge doesn't publish fixed grade boundaries in advance. After each session it sets the minimum mark for every grade based on how hard that specific paper turned out to be — a slightly harder paper gets slightly lower thresholds, which keeps grades fair between sessions. That's why the mark you need for an A* in Computer Science shifts a little from one series to the next.
Each session bundle above includes the official grade-threshold (GT) file, so you can convert your practice mark into the grade it would have earned that session. Two practical habits: aim a comfortable buffer above the threshold you're targeting (thresholds drift, so don't practise to the exact boundary), and track your converted grade across several sessions rather than judging yourself on a single paper.
Prepare for Your Computer Science Exam
Past papers work best alongside structured revision. Use our free study resources to master each topic before testing yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download IGCSE Computer Science past papers for free?
Which 0478 papers should I practice?
How do I use 0478 mark schemes effectively?
Pro tip: Use our Exam Hub to view question papers side-by-side with mark schemes or examiner reports. This makes it easy to check your answers and understand exactly what examiners are looking for — all in one view.