AQA Computer Science NEA for A levels

If you read this: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level/computer-science-7516-7517/subject-content-a-level/non-exam-assessment-the-computing-practical-project
You'll find that they mark it based on completeness as well as the technical complexity of the program. There are different tiers of complexity, with the top ones being the more difficult ones to implement but being the higher marked ones. It's not enough to just add 1-2 of the top tier to qualify for marks in that tier though, it requires a general usage of that tier to be marked. For example, if you just used 2 from the top tier, 3 from the next tier and 2 from the bottom tier it doesn't mean you're in the top tier, etc.
Also, the things you implement need to make sense. Don't just add a stack or merge sort or any other algorithm if it doesn't fit your code. Databases are sort of the bare backbones of the project, we used MS Access and they'll probably expect you to as well. Alternatives such as SQL server are fine but not really suitable for beginners and definitely not necessary for this project on such a small scale.
As for programming languages, you can use any that AQA mark on. But it is usually advised that you use your college's programming language as that is the one you're most familiar with. And also, it is usually the department marking your project before it is passed to AQA who will randomly moderate it so they'll need to know how your language works.
You are right about MS Access not working on Mac OS though. The best option without having to splurge on buying a new PC solely for this project is just to work on the database stuff in college where there will most definitely be Windows PCs available.
Good luck

If you read this: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level/computer-science-7516-7517/subject-content-a-level/non-exam-assessment-the-computing-practical-project
You'll find that they mark it based on completeness as well as the technical complexity of the program. There are different tiers of complexity, with the top ones being the more difficult ones to implement but being the higher marked ones. It's not enough to just add 1-2 of the top tier to qualify for marks in that tier though, it requires a general usage of that tier to be marked. For example, if you just used 2 from the top tier, 3 from the next tier and 2 from the bottom tier it doesn't mean you're in the top tier, etc.
Also, the things you implement need to make sense. Don't just add a stack or merge sort or any other algorithm if it doesn't fit your code. Databases are sort of the bare backbones of the project, we used MS Access and they'll probably expect you to as well. Alternatives such as SQL server are fine but not really suitable for beginners and definitely not necessary for this project on such a small scale.
As for programming languages, you can use any that AQA mark on. But it is usually advised that you use your college's programming language as that is the one you're most familiar with. And also, it is usually the department marking your project before it is passed to AQA who will randomly moderate it so they'll need to know how your language works.
You are right about MS Access not working on Mac OS though. The best option without having to splurge on buying a new PC solely for this project is just to work on the database stuff in college where there will most definitely be Windows PCs available.
Good luck

If you read this: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level/computer-science-7516-7517/subject-content-a-level/non-exam-assessment-the-computing-practical-project
You'll find that they mark it based on completeness as well as the technical complexity of the program. There are different tiers of complexity, with the top ones being the more difficult ones to implement but being the higher marked ones. It's not enough to just add 1-2 of the top tier to qualify for marks in that tier though, it requires a general usage of that tier to be marked. For example, if you just used 2 from the top tier, 3 from the next tier and 2 from the bottom tier it doesn't mean you're in the top tier, etc.
Also, the things you implement need to make sense. Don't just add a stack or merge sort or any other algorithm if it doesn't fit your code. Databases are sort of the bare backbones of the project, we used MS Access and they'll probably expect you to as well. Alternatives such as SQL server are fine but not really suitable for beginners and definitely not necessary for this project on such a small scale.
As for programming languages, you can use any that AQA mark on. But it is usually advised that you use your college's programming language as that is the one you're most familiar with. And also, it is usually the department marking your project before it is passed to AQA who will randomly moderate it so they'll need to know how your language works.
You are right about MS Access not working on Mac OS though. The best option without having to splurge on buying a new PC solely for this project is just to work on the database stuff in college where there will most definitely be Windows PCs available.
Good luck

How do I get started? looking at the complexity requirements in all honesty I have no idea what many of the algorithms even do, and so barely understand what might be included in my ideas. If there's any way I could see ideal NEA frameworks explained easily that would be great 🙂

Part of the NEA is analysis & design which means you'll need to detail the algorithms on how they function and research you did around them, meaning you could learn about these and include them in your project report which will get you a substantial amount of marks if done properly. For me, I did this with annotated algorithms explaining how things worked (ie. how merge sort works) accompanied by a more detailed explanation as well as information on my implementation.
Explaining all these core concepts is quite difficult to do in a TSR post, especially when it is only a few Google searches away. Good luck
(But I am very confused as to how so many people are not taught about the NEA or the components? Are you not working on this in class? Most (if not all, I can't remember) of these concepts are part of the AQA's specification for the theory and programming papers so you should technically know a good bit about most of these)

Hi,
I have some questions about the NEA Project. I started year 13 and I have to start my NEA like very soon. My teacher asked the class to do the analysis part of the project. I'm a bit confused on how to do the analysis part as in I don't know where to start. I have completed my project proposal as well. My exam board is AQA. Could you please provide me with some video tutorial links that were helpful for you in completing the analysis section? Anything that would help me complete the analysis would be amazing! My teacher didn't provide much details hence the confusion.
Thank you so much.

i got a pretty good mark last year in AQA CS nea so i'll give some advice.
Best thing I did was look at examples from other ppl in the year above at the same school, so ppl who got around 68 etc.
Refer to MrBrown CS and Joe (can't remeber the whole name but he's got a lego pfp, just type nea aqa cs nea on YT) for what to include.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AglgGxB2tO8
I think you can find other ppls ones on Reddit somewhere.
Here's a rough list of what to include in Analysis (or what I did but you might need to add some stuff to it depending on your project):
Project Identification, Problem Statement, Target Users (Interview with Prospective Users, Survey (conducted on Google Forms) with Prospective Users, Analysis of Existing Systems (I analysed 3 but this might be too much), Modelling of Existing Systems (DFDs and whatnot), Limitations of your project (what your project will not include), Solution Requirements (what your project needs to succeed), Project Objectives, Solutions of your project (how can your project be created? (list a few ideas and write pros and cons of each) what language will you use? etc.).
That's analysis done pretty much.
One thing I will say is don't stress too much of this NEA, focus more on the papers tbh and don't overcomplicate something. Also, START EARLY. Do a little every day or every week. Don't leave it to the last minute. I slept 4 hours in 4 days finishing my stuff off.
If anyone needs any advice on CS AQA NEA, let me know

i got a pretty good mark last year in AQA CS nea so i'll give some advice.
Best thing I did was look at examples from other ppl in the year above at the same school, so ppl who got around 68 etc.
Refer to MrBrown CS and Joe (can't remeber the whole name but he's got a lego pfp, just type nea aqa cs nea on YT) for what to include.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AglgGxB2tO8
I think you can find other ppls ones on Reddit somewhere.
Here's a rough list of what to include in Analysis (or what I did but you might need to add some stuff to it depending on your project):
Project Identification, Problem Statement, Target Users (Interview with Prospective Users, Survey (conducted on Google Forms) with Prospective Users, Analysis of Existing Systems (I analysed 3 but this might be too much), Modelling of Existing Systems (DFDs and whatnot), Limitations of your project (what your project will not include), Solution Requirements (what your project needs to succeed), Project Objectives, Solutions of your project (how can your project be created? (list a few ideas and write pros and cons of each) what language will you use? etc.).
That's analysis done pretty much.
One thing I will say is don't stress too much of this NEA, focus more on the papers tbh and don't overcomplicate something. Also, START EARLY. Do a little every day or every week. Don't leave it to the last minute. I slept 4 hours in 4 days finishing my stuff off.
If anyone needs any advice on CS AQA NEA, let me know