Understanding Computer Science

Demonstrate understanding of a computer science concept 

Digital Technologies | Level 2 | AS 91898 (2.9) | 3 Credits 

*** In 2026 this external will be an Online Examination held on FRIDAY 27th NOVEMBER - PM ***

This standard provides students with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of essential computer science topics relevant to modern society. This exam asks students to show their understanding of an important computer science idea from one of the following topics: computer security, encryption, error control complexity and tractability, artificial intelligence. Students need to understand the concept, explain how it works, how it’s used, what impacts it has, and what problems or challenges come with it.

Every year, TWO topics are named in the NZQA Assessment Specifications for Teachers and Students to focus on. In the exam students choose to answer questions for ONE topic only

In 2025 the TWO topics are: Computer Security or Encryption.

From the NZQA 91898 Assessment Specifications 2026:

Candidates will be required to respond in short and / or extended answers (800–1500 words in total) to questions relating to their choice of ONE of the following computer science concepts: 

• computer security OR 

• encryption 

For 2026, questions on impacts will focus on human factors and social impact. 

* Topics will focus on use in schools. 

There are two main directions you can teach this:

1. The whole class learns the same topic, allowing them to understand the concept through to the indepth application of it. 

2. If you have the time, teach the fundamentals of both topics and then students choose the topic they best understand to go into more depth

Why you should look at the Assessment Report

Every year an assessment report is released to support teachers and students understand how the exam was marked. There can be some specific detail which is worth reading through to help support students understand the grade recieved. 

We recommend reading through the whole report yourself. These are found under the different years below but here are some of the key points:

• candidates' overall performance in response to the given questions was higher than in the previous few years. 

• While the use of generative AI, alongside other published materials and online resources, is encouraged during preparation, relying on it solely for rote learning may diminish learners' authentic voices and lead to marginal assessment responses. 

• Candidates were asked to explain selected computer science topics by considering underlying algorithms, practical applications, and social impacts. 

• In 2024, Candidates had a choice of answering questions on artificial intelligence (AI), computer security, or error control. There was an even spread amongst the topics chosen to answer. Candidates did equally well on all topics. 

• Using subject-specific language successfully is important. This was particularly apparent in the artificial intelligence question about chatbots, where terms such as ‘natural language processing’ were used. 

• Candidates who attempted all questions were advantaged. 

Assessment Reports, Assessment Schedules, Exemplars (and the blank exam)

In the drop downs below you will find the Assessment Report, the Assessment Schedule and any exemplars NZQA provided

Note: Pervious to 2025 the 91898 external was a DCAT.