The following tasks are optional but will help you prepare for the course.  If you've never done computer science before, we would recommend you have a go at some of these tasks to make sure the course is right for you. 

Pseudocode and Algorithms

Pseudocode is somewhere between English and a programming language and it's how you write answers to algorithm questions in the exam.  An algorithm is like a set of instructions that we give a computer in order for it to complete a task.   OCR have published a GCSE pseudocode guide (we encourage students to write pseudocode in the same way that OCR does).   Have a go writing some algorithms in pseudocode.  See https://revisecs.computerscienceuk.com/algorithm-a-day/ for some easy ones or for harder ones look in OCR's Coding Challenges booklet. 

Structured Query Language (SQL) 

SQL is the standard language used with databases.  You will learn how to write SQL to create records in a database table, delete records and select records from one or more tables.  A great resource to get you started with SQL is w3schools.

Java

We learn Java from the first week as it fits very well with the programming theory of the course.  You won't need to write any for the exam - you will write pseudocode (see above) - but you might like to have a look.  It's quite different to Python which you might have studied at GCSE.  Learn how to write a Hello, world! program, create variables, write if statements and loops with https://www.learnjavaonline.org .  

JavaScript with the The Coding Train

Even if you've done no programming before Dan will get you coding fun stuff with JavaScript and the fantastic P5.js library in no time.  Click here to start learning.  If you are already a competent JavaScript programmer, delve into some of the more tricky tutorials like Fractal Trees. 

All things A level Computer Science

The whole of the OCR A level specification has been covered on the Craig'n'Dave YouTube channel.