This is the official Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Question Paper 1 (Variant 2) from the 2026 March examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.
Also referenced as: 0478_m26_qp_12 · 0478/12/f/m/26 qp · 0478/12 Feb/March 2026 qp
Paper 1: Theory of Computer Science — This is Paper 1: Theory of Computer Science, worth 75 marks with a duration of 1h 15m. Short-answer and structured questions covering data representation, hardware, software, security, internet technologies, and ethical issues. No programming required.
To self-assess your performance, use this question paper alongside the corresponding mark scheme (0478_m26_ms_12). Attempt the entire paper under timed conditions before opening the mark scheme — this trains both your subject knowledge and exam technique. Mark each question and record whether marks were lost due to knowledge gaps, method errors, or careless mistakes.
The most effective way to use this Computer Science question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in Computer Science (0478).
