O/A/IGCSE Computer Science Blog

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...

Your Ultimate Guide to Mastery and Success (June 2025) Welcome future tech innovators! Are you ready to conquer one of the most practical, skill-intensive challenges of your A Level journey? Cambridge International A Level Computer Science Paper 4 (9618/04) awaits, and with the right preparation, you'll turn this challenge into your strongest performance yet! Unlocking the Secrets of Paper 4 Paper 4 isn't just an exam—it's a showcase of your coding mastery, your algorithmic agility, and your strategic brilliance. Unlike any other exam in your Computer Science journey, Paper 4 exclusively tests your practical programming skills from Chapters 19 and 20 of your syllabus, focusing entirely on your ability to Design, Program, and Evaluate (AO3). Forget low-level assembly language or declarative programming distractions—your battle here is purely with high-level, object-oriented, and procedural programming prowess. Your mission: write complete, correct, and efficient program code...

Unlocking the Secrets of Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 Paper 3 (P3) – June 2025 By Zafar Ali Khan (Zak) Founder of CSwithZak, Creator of AskZ AI Teaching Assistant Introduction: Why P3 Matters More Than Ever If you are preparing for the Cambridge International A Level Computer Science 9618 Paper 3 (P3) exam in June 2025, you are not just facing another exam — you are stepping into one of the most rewarding challenges of your academic journey. P3 tests your  deep understanding and practical application  of some of the most powerful concepts in computer science. Covering  Chapters 13 to 20 , P3 examines everything from  floating-point numbers  to  assembly language programming , from  Boolean logic  to  artificial intelligence . It demands mastery of  knowledge (AO1)  and  application (AO2)  — the two pillars Cambridge expects you to demonstrate. But here's the good news: with the right strategy and focus,  P3...

Welcome, future Computer Science wizards, to the exciting world of Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618)! You've tackled theory, and now it's time for the practical challenge:  Paper 2 . Often seen as the "make or break" of the AS Level, this  2-hour, 75-mark written exam  focuses squarely on your  problem-solving and programming skills , specifically demonstrated through  pseudocode . It's not just about memorizing syntax; it's about understanding how to devise and write algorithmic solutions under pressure. Let's dive into what the sources reveal about mastering this paper! The Pulse of Paper 2: What Shows Up? Based on analysis of past papers (like 2023, 2024, and 2025 sample content), the sources highlight recurring themes and question types. Think of these as your core toolkit: Data Structures in Action:  Get ready for questions on fundamental data structures. You'll likely encounter  Stacks  and  Queues , needi...

Welcome to a comprehensive guide on acing the Cambridge O Level 2210 and IGCSE 0478 Computer Science exams. These examinations are known for their rigor and breadth, testing everything from factual recall to applied problem-solving. Students often face challenges such as a vast syllabus, tricky question phrasing, and intense time pressure. In fact, Paper 1 emphasizes knowledge recall (with about 60% of its marks testing direct understanding) while Paper 2 heavily tests application and problem-solving skills . The goal of this report is to provide practical tips and strategies to tackle these challenges and boost your exam performance. By mastering exam technique – not just the content – you can approach the exam with confidence and turn your knowledge into top marks. Understanding the Exam Structure and Syllabus Exam format and sections:  Both the O Level 2210 and IGCSE 0478 Computer Science exams are divided into distinct components that include various question types. Typically, ...

Introduction In today's fast-paced world, students and teachers are looking for smarter ways to learn and teach.  AskZ is designed to be a comprehensive AI-powered educational agent , acting as both a  virtual tutor for students  and a  teaching assistant for educators . Our vision is to provide  personalized, accessible, and engaging learning assistance  to students of all levels, specifically aligned with  Cambridge and Pearson education curricula  (like IGCSE, O-Level, A-Level, and International Primary). Watch Podcast:   AskZ — Your 24/7 AI Tutor for OL, IGCSE, and AL Success! AskZ leverages advanced AI, including large language models, to adapt to your unique needs and support learning globally. It's built to be a helpful companion for students and a powerful tool to save teachers time and enhance instruction. For Students: Learn Smarter with AskZ AskZ offers a range of features designed to make learning more effective and enjoyable...

As an educator, I’ve watched the AI revolution unfold — and I’ve also seen students get lost in it. Chatbots are everywhere, but most of them are too general, too distracted, and too vague to truly help you score in Cambridge exams. So, I built something different. AskZ is not a chatbot. It’s a teacher. Built on strict Cambridge logic and structured around real exam technique, AskZ is designed to do one thing only — make students better. How AskZ Stands Apart from Generic LLMs While popular tools like ChatGPT try to do everything, AskZ stays in one lane: It teaches only IGCSE, O Level, and A Level students It understands only subjects that matter to your grade It doesn’t chat — it trains No small talk. No “let’s discuss AI ethics.” You ask about recursion — you get recursion. You ask for a pseudocode fix — it marks and corrects it, Cambridge-style. What AskZ Can Do for Students AskZ is your digital teacher. It: Explains topics with clarity based on your syllabus Tests your knowledge wi...