IGCSE ICT Revision Materials

This page is your digital toolkit to help you conquer the ICT GCSE. Here, you'll find resources, tips, and practice exercises to prepare you for your exam. Remember, the materials on this page are just a starting point. Be sure to explore other resources, such as textbooks, online tutorials, and coding challenges, to gain a well-rounded understanding of ICT.

A Note on Practice

• Practice, Not Revision: Unlike traditional subjects, ICT requires hands-on practice. The more you create and experiment, the better prepared you'll be for the practical paper.
• Device and Software: Ensure your device is capable of running the necessary software, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Illustrator. These tools will be essential for your projects.

What software do I need to install on my device?

Students should bring their own laptops to lesson with them. These can be either Windows or Mac OS based machines. Apple or Android tablets are not suitable for this course. They should have their machines setup so that they can practice for Paper 2 which a practical exam. 

• Microsoft Office (Note: Microsoft Access is required which is not available for a Mac based PC)
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft OneNote
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Audacity

Course Textbook

Additional Books

The books below are also available for you to use. Ask your teacher if you are unsure about which one to use!

Course Specification

Top Tips - How to prepare for the exam

Paper 1 (Theory):

Focus on CIE Syllabus:

• Understand Key Concepts:
  • Data Representation: Binary, denary, hexadecimal, ASCII, images, sound.
  • Systems: Input/output devices, central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage.
  • Software: System software (operating systems), application software (word processors, spreadsheets).
  • Networking: LAN, WAN, internet, protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP), security (firewalls, encryption).
  • Social and Ethical Issues: Data protection (GDPR), copyright, plagiarism, cyberbullying, digital divide, e-commerce.
  • Health and Safety: Ergonomics, eye strain, RSI.
• Practice Past Papers: Use the past papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format, question types, and difficulty level. Analyze your answers to identify areas for improvement.

Paper 2&3 (Practical):

• Spreadsheet Skills:
  • Formulas and Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, nested functions, data validation.
  • Charts and Graphs: Create and customize various chart types (bar, line, pie, scatter).
  • Data Manipulation: Sort, filter, pivot tables, data analysis.
• Database Skills:
  • Design: Create relational databases with tables, fields, data types, and relationships.
  • Queries: Write SQL queries to retrieve specific information from the database.
  • Forms and Reports: Design user-friendly forms and generate professional reports.
• Presentation Skills:
  • Slide Design: Create visually appealing slides with appropriate use of text, images, multimedia, and animations.
  • Delivery: Practice delivering your presentation confidently and effectively.
• Website Design:
  • HTML and CSS: Understand basic HTML tags for structure and CSS for styling.
  • Usability: Design user-friendly websites with clear navigation and easy-to-find information.
• Online Safety and Security:
  • Data Protection: Understand data protection legislation (e.g., GDPR) and how to keep personal information secure.
  • Cybersecurity: Be aware of online threats (phishing, malware, viruses) and how to protect yourself.

General Tips for All Papers:

• Practice Regularly: Work on past papers and practice exercises consistently to build your skills and confidence.
• Use ICT Tools: Become proficient in using word processors, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and basic HTML/CSS.
• Plan and Organize: Plan your work effectively, especially for the practical tasks.
• Seek Help: Don't hesitate to ask your teacher for clarification or assistance if you encounter any difficulties.

Past Papers