Skip to content
VirtusAcademy

Pseudocode

FoundationHigherAQA

Revise Pseudocode for GCSE Computer Science with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525). Pseudocode describes an algorithm in structured English that is independent of any programming language.

Free downloads

These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA specification. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

Foundation

WorksheetFoundation · PDFMark SchemeFoundation · PDF

Higher

WorksheetHigher · PDFMark SchemeHigher · PDF

Topic overview

Pseudocode describes an algorithm using structured English, without the strict syntax rules of a programming language.

The point is that it can be read by anyone and translated into any language. Assignment uses a left arrow, so count ← 0 sets count to zero. Input and output use USERINPUT and OUTPUT. Selection uses IF, THEN, ELSE and ENDIF. Iteration uses WHILE and ENDWHILE, FOR and ENDFOR, or REPEAT and UNTIL.

Indentation matters because it shows which statements sit inside which structure. Every opening keyword needs its matching closing keyword, and a missing ENDIF or ENDWHILE makes the structure ambiguous — this is the most frequent error in written pseudocode.

Revision notes

Assignment and input or output

Assignment uses a left arrow: count ← 0 sets count to zero.

name ← USERINPUT reads a value from the user. OUTPUT name displays a value. The arrow always points from the value to the variable receiving it.

Selection and iteration keywords

Selection: IF condition THEN ... ELSE ... ENDIF.

Iteration: WHILE condition ... ENDWHILE, FOR i ← 1 TO 10 ... ENDFOR, or REPEAT ... UNTIL condition. Each opening keyword needs its matching closing keyword.

Why indentation matters

Indentation shows which statements sit inside which structure.

Statements inside an IF or a loop are indented one level further than the keyword. Without indentation, and without matching ENDIF or ENDWHILE, the structure of the algorithm is ambiguous.

Key points

  • Pseudocode uses structured English.
  • It has no strict syntax rules.
  • Assignment uses a left arrow.
  • USERINPUT reads a value from the user.
  • Every opening keyword needs a closing keyword.
  • Indentation shows the structure.

Worked examples

Example 1

Write a pseudocode line that sets a variable named total to zero. [1 mark]

Working

total ← 0use the assignment arrow with the variable on the left

Example 2

Write pseudocode to read a number from the user and output double its value. [3 marks]

Working

num ← USERINPUTread the value from the user
answer ← num × 2calculate double the value
OUTPUT answerdisplay the result

Example 3

Explain why pseudocode is used rather than a programming language when designing an algorithm. [2 marks]

Working

Pseudocode has no strict syntax rules, so the designer can focus on the logicstate the reason
and it can be understood by anyone and translated into any programming languagegive the second reason

Common mistakes

  • Using = instead of ← for assignment.

    Assignment uses the left arrow in AQA pseudocode.

  • Omitting the closing keyword.

    Every IF needs an ENDIF and every WHILE an ENDWHILE.

  • Writing real code instead of pseudocode.

    Pseudocode uses structured English, not language-specific syntax.

  • Not indenting the body of a structure.

    Indentation shows what sits inside what.

Exam tips

  • Use ← for assignment, not =.
  • Close every structure with its matching keyword.
  • Indent the body of each structure.
  • Focus on logic rather than syntax.

Key terms

Pseudocode
An algorithm written in structured English.
Assignment
Giving a variable a value, using ←.
USERINPUT
The keyword for reading a value from the user.
Indentation
Spacing showing which statements sit inside a structure.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA specification. Spotted an error? Let us know.