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J277 2 Paper 2 Section A mixed practice
Part 2 of 5 · J277 Paper 2 · Exam transition
Mixed Section A practice across the Paper 2 specification, usable as a full set or as a shorter diagnostic.
Students will:
- recognise which topic an unlabelled question is testing
- trace an algorithm and record each step in a trace table
- apply accurate knowledge to an unfamiliar context
- work at about one minute per available mark
- decide which topics to revisit from the feedback
Inside: 3 explanation cells, 1 trace table, 2 multiple-choice questions, 2 fill-in-the-blanks cells and 6 written answers. 31 author-set marks plus the trace-table rows, about 60 minutes.
Series: J277 Paper 2 · Exam transition, part 2 of 5.
Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher
- 14 cells
- About 60 minutes
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shared 17 Aug 2026
- Updated 9 Sept 2026
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Paper 2 Section A mixed practice
Section A mixes ideas from across the specification. You must recognise which topic a question is testing, retrieve accurate knowledge and apply it to unfamiliar contexts.
This is mixed practice rather than first teaching. Complete the selected questions without notes when checking your current understanding. Aim for about one minute per available mark, then use the feedback to choose the first topic to revisit.
- Decomposition
- Abstraction
- Algorithmic
- Authentication
- Iteration
Which condition must be met before a binary search can be used correctly?
- AThe data must be sorted
- BThe data must contain only integers
- CThe target must be the first item
- DThe list must contain an even number of items
A school is designing a system for borrowing sports equipment. Identify one input, one process and one output.
Use three labelled points. Each must be plausible for this particular system.
Students type their answer here.
Algorithm tracing
Trace the OCR Exam Reference Language exactly as written. Record changes after each loop iteration. Integer division, DIV, discards any remainder.
Complete the trace table for this algorithm. The input is 38.
Track `number`, `total`, the loop condition and output. Work one assignment at a time.
Use one row for each pass through the loop. Fill in a box only when that value changes on that row, and leave the rest blank.
Input: "38"
number = int(input("Enter number"))total = 0while number > 0total = total + (number MOD 10)number = number DIV 10endwhileprint(total)
| Row | number | total | number > 0 | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 |
Which data type is most suitable for storing whether a library book is currently on loan?
- AString
- BBoolean
- CReal
- DCharacter
(A OR B) AND NOT C in row order.
| A | B | C | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | label 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | label 2 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | label 3 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | label 4 |
- 0
- 1
Compare linear search and binary search when looking for a name in a long sorted list.
Give two direct comparisons involving method, prerequisite or likely number of comparisons.
Students type their answer here.
A booking program accepts whole-number quantities from 1 to 8 inclusive. Give one normal, two boundary, one invalid and one erroneous test value. Label each value.
Erroneous data has the wrong data type. Invalid data has the correct type but is outside the accepted range.
Students type their answer here.
A completed game will be distributed to players without its source code. Explain two benefits of compiling it.
For each benefit, state a compiler characteristic and link it to distribution or later execution.
Students type their answer here.
Name and describe two IDE facilities that would help a programmer find and correct an error.
Name each facility and add a specific use. Do not describe a variable or comment as an IDE facility.
Students type their answer here.
A student says, ‘A range check proves that an entered age is true.’ Correct this statement.
Explain what validation can and cannot establish.
Students type their answer here.
Mark and diagnose
Record marks by topic rather than only the total: computational thinking, algorithms, programming, robust programs, Boolean logic, and languages or IDEs. Revisit the explanation and practice in the weakest topic before attempting another mixed set.