AQA 8525 Paper 2 Revision: Computing Concepts & SQL

Topics to work through

3.3 Fundamentals of data representation: binary, hexadecimal, data sizes and representation.
3.4 Computer systems: hardware, CPU, storage and software.
3.5 Networks: network structures, protocols and communication.
3.6 Cybersecurity: threats, vulnerabilities and prevention.
3.7 Relational databases and SQL: entities, tables and basic queries.
3.8 Ethical, legal and environmental impacts: apply knowledge to scenarios.

Paper 1 and Paper 2 may include ideas from across the specification. Use the AQA subject-content pathway for the published order.

Worked example: SQL filtering

SELECT Name, Score
FROM Results
WHERE Score >= 60;

The query returns only the Name and Score columns from rows in Results where Score is at least 60. `WHERE` filters rows; the column names after `SELECT` choose what to display.

Try without notes: Write an SQL query to display Title from Books where Year is after 2020. 3 marks

Check an example answer and feedback

SELECT Title FROM Books WHERE Year > 2020; (assuming these identifiers are valid in the given database).

Practise different skills

Complete a binary conversion showing each place value.
Explain a CPU or networking concept using correct technical vocabulary.
Match a security threat with a suitable control and explain why it helps.
Write and interpret a simple SQL query.
Use an ethical scenario to argue a decision with benefits and risks.

Continue with binary revision, networks and longer-answer technique.

Specification check

AQA 8525 subject content and assessment scheme. The revised qualification is first examined in summer 2027.