Subscribe cswithzak.com
Cambridge O Level · IGCSE · A Level Computer Science

Notes from ZAK’s classroom.

Blog for CS by Zafar Ali Khan [ZAK]. It shares ZAK's research, ideas, feelings, advices and day to day happenings.

Read the latest Free resources at cswithzak.com ↗
2210 · 0478 · 9618Every Cambridge CS syllabus, covered
Since 1999Teaching Computer Science in Karachi and online
FreeNotes, past papers, quizzes, code labs and AskZ

Latest posts

All posts →
How Cambridge grades your paper: grade thresholds, the A*, IBCC equivalence and the awards
A Level Cambridge Exams Grade Thresholds IBCC IGCSE O Level Results

How Cambridge grades your paper: grade thresholds, the A*, IBCC equivalence and the awards

UsSalam-o-AlaiKum. I first wrote this page in May 2011. It became the most read post on this blog, with more than twelve thousand visits, and students still send it to each other every August and January. That worried me, because parts of it are now out of date and two parts were never right. So I have thrown the old page away and written it again from the official documents. Every claim below carries a number in square brackets that leads to its source at the bottom. If you are a parent, a teacher or a student, you can check each line yourself. The short version There is no fixed percentage for a grade. The marks needed change with every paper and every series. There is no quota either. Cambridge does not give the A* to a "top 3 percent". The A* is arithmetic. It is the A threshold plus the gap between A and B. Your grade comes from your total marks, not from the grades of your papers. Percentage uniform marks are not printed on results in Pakistan, and IBCC doe...

Read → 0 comments
Computer Science after A Level or Inter: which degree, and why they are not the same thing
A Level Admissions Careers Intermediate Universities

Computer Science after A Level or Inter: which degree, and why they are not the same thing

UsSalam-o-AlaiKum. Every November the same message lands in my WhatsApp conversations. "Sir, CS or Software Engineering? Is AI better? My cousin says Computer Engineering has more scope." The student is in the middle of exam & tests preps. The parent is in the middle of prospectuses. Nobody has slept. So here is the short version I give in class, written down once. Read it before the exams. Decide after them. First, the truth nobody prints on the prospectus These are not different names for the same degree. They are different disciplines with different parent bodies. The ACM and the IEEE Computer Society write the curriculum guidelines most of the world copies. Their Computing Curricula 2020 report lists seven undergraduate computing disciplines: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Data Science and Cybersecurity. Pakistan's HEC curriculum for computing (2023 edition, revised in October 2025)...

Read → 0 comments
Why every cover of my new books is a heat map of the exam

Why every cover of my new books is a heat map of the exam

Bismillah. For years students have asked me one question more than any other: "Sir, which book should I follow?" Today I can finally give a complete answer. There is now a CS with ZAK book for every Cambridge Computer Science paper : 12 titles in all. 📖 Read a free chapter of any book → The series O Level 2210 / IGCSE 0478 (current syllabus) Book 1 · Paper 1 : Computer Systems, with workbook Book 2 · Paper 2 : Algorithms, Programming and Logic, with workbook. Pseudocode throughout, with the 15-mark scenario in Python, VB.NET and Java too. O Level / IGCSE Python Edition (exams from 2029) Book 1 · Paper 1 : Computer Systems, with workbook Book 2 · Paper 2 : Algorithms, Programming and Databases, with workbook The new syllabus is Python only, and so are these books. AS & A Level 9618 Book 1 · Paper 1 : Theory Fundamentals Book 2 · Paper 2 : Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills Book 3 · Paper 3 : Advanced Theory Book 4 · Paper 4 : Practical Programming Why th...

Read → 0 comments
Your Ultimate Guide To Ace Your A-Level Computer Science (9618) with Active Recall

Your Ultimate Guide To Ace Your A-Level Computer Science (9618) with Active Recall

If you're studying A-Level Computer Science (9618), you've likely faced the frustration of reviewing your notes only to feel like you've retained nothing. You're not alone! Thankfully, there's a powerful, research-backed method that transforms studying from tedious memorization into an engaging challenge:  Active Recall . What Exactly is Active Recall? Active recall is a simple yet incredibly effective study technique. Instead of passively rereading your textbooks or notes, you actively test yourself to remember information. Essentially, it’s about  retrieving information from your memory  rather than merely reviewing it. Think of your brain like a muscle: the more you actively retrieve information, the stronger your memory becomes. Why Active Recall Matters for 9618 Students The A-Level Computer Science syllabus is extensive, covering everything from Boolean algebra and network structures to complex algorithms and programming concepts. Active recall helps you manag...

Read → 0 comments
Your Mind Matters More Than Marks: Emotional First Aid for CAIEs

Your Mind Matters More Than Marks: Emotional First Aid for CAIEs

A Message from Zak: You Are Not Alone in CAIE Exam Stress Beloved students, I know how tough exam season can feel. Your mind may be on an emotional rollercoaster – full of overthinking, anxiety, exhaustion, sadness, stress, even anger or “laziness.”  These feelings are normal . In fact, Cambridge educators remind us that just hearing the word  “exams”  can send shivers down your spine  blog.cambridgeinternational.org . Exams ask you to recall, analyze, and synthesize lots of information under pressure  blog.cambridgeinternational.org , which is hard for anyone. You might even feel like the student shown below – overwhelmed and anxious. But take a deep breath: this is nothing you did wrong. During stress, your brain can go into  “freeze” mode , making you draw a blank on things you know  blog.cambridgeinternational.org . It’s not your fault! Our  amygdala  (the stress center) can temporarily hijack your ability to think clearly  blog.camb...

Read → 0 comments
Ultimate Guide to Acing Cambridge AS Level CS Paper 1 (June 2025)

Ultimate Guide to Acing Cambridge AS Level CS Paper 1 (June 2025)

Hello Champions and Educators! As we gear up for the June 2025 Cambridge AS Level Computer Science Paper 1 exam, I've conducted an extensive deep-dive analysis into past exam papers from 2022 to 2024. Today, I bring you powerful insights, strategic predictions, and battle-tested strategies to dominate Paper 1. What’s at Stake? Paper 1 isn't just an exam—it's a strategic challenge that covers Chapters 1 to 8 of the syllabus, focusing heavily on AO1 (Knowledge) and AO2 (Application). You'll encounter structured questions expecting clear definitions, calculations, explanations, and concise bullet points. To succeed, clarity, precision, and adaptability are your best friends. Insights from Past Exams Certain chapters are repeatedly prioritized: Heavyweights : Data Representation (Ch.1), Hardware & Logic (Ch.3), Processor Fundamentals (Ch.4), Databases (Ch.8), and System Software (Ch.5). Consistent but Moderate : Communication (Ch.2), Security (Ch.6). Occasional Surprise...

Read → 0 comments
Zafar Ali Khan, Zak: Architect of a New Era in Cambridge Computer Science Education

Zafar Ali Khan, Zak: Architect of a New Era in Cambridge Computer Science Education

Known formally as Zafar Ali Khan, but revered simply as Zak, he is a pioneer who has redefined teaching, inspiring, and leading in the world of Computer Science education. Since 1996, Zak has been a relentless force, especially across Cambridge O-Level, IGCSE, and A-Level syllabi (2210, 0478, and 9618). His teaching isn't just about preparing students for exams; it has launched careers, inspired innovations, and ignited passions. Zak's teaching philosophy is results-driven, no-nonsense, and motivational. He believes education is not about grades alone, stating,  "A grade is a byproduct. True success is when a student outgrows their fears," . He runs his classes like leadership academies, focusing on simplicity in delivery, ruthlessness against mediocrity, and an undying belief that every student can become exceptional. He expects the best from every student, using multiple teaching methods, both online and offline. His approach involves minimal homework and maximum le...

Read → 0 comments

Subscribe to this blog

A new post every Saturday. Follow the blog or add its feed to your reader, and you will not miss one.

Follow on Blogger RSS feed Add to Feedly

Followers

The students, teachers and readers who follow this blog.

The whole course, free, at cswithzak.com

Topic notes, every 2210 / 0478 / 9618 past paper, auto-marked quizzes, 1,600+ flashcards, a pseudocode & Python playground, SQL lab, assembler — and AskZ, the AI tutor trained on ZAK’s teaching.

Open cswithzak.com ↗ Join ZAK’s classes