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Explaining the purpose of an algorithm past paper questions

O Level Computer Science 2210 · Algorithm design and problem-solving. Explain the purpose of a given algorithm Including identifying each stage and performing these tasks for each stage: – analysis: abstraction, decomposition of the problem, identification of the problem and requirements – design: decomposition, structure diagrams, flowcharts, pseudocode – coding: writing program code and iterative testing – testing: testing program code with the use of test data Including: – inputs – processes – outputs – storage Including: – structure diagrams – flowcharts – pseudocode Including: – stating the purpose of an algorithm – describing the processes involved in an algorithm

In Cambridge O Level Computer Science 2210, Explaining the purpose of an algorithm came up in 9 of the 34 papers on Paperstreak, for about 4 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Test data and trace tables, Finding and correcting errors, Writing and amending algorithms.

14 questions, newest first

  1. 2210/22/O/N/25 Question 2 part (c(i)) · 2 marks
  2. 2210/22/O/N/25 Question 5 part (b) · 3 marks
  3. 2210/22/M/J/25 Question 2 · 3 marks
  4. 2210/22/M/J/25 Question 6 parts (b) (c) · 4 marks
  5. 2210/22/O/N/24 Question 1 · 1 mark
  6. 2210/22/O/N/24 Question 3 part (a) · 4 marks
  7. 2210/22/O/N/24 Question 7 part (b) · 1 mark
  8. 2210/23/O/N/24 Question 10 part (b) · 3 marks
  9. 2210/21/M/J/24 Question 6 part (b) · 3 marks
  10. 2210/22/M/J/24 Question 3 · 3 marks
  11. 2210/22/M/J/24 Question 9 part (b) · 2 marks
  12. 2210/22/O/N/23 Question 6 part (b) · 2 marks
  13. 2210/21/M/J/23 Question 7 part (c) · 2 marks
  14. 2210/22/M/J/23 Question 9 part (b) · 2 marks

More in Algorithm design and problem-solving: Development life cycle and decomposition, Standard methods (searching, sorting, totalling, counting), Validation and verification, Test data and trace tables, Finding and correcting errors, Writing and amending algorithms.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.