30 Python Challenges for GCSE Computer Science

Thirty original, graded Python challenges that take students from their first input() to bubble sort, binary search, file handling and 2D lists – with a tested model solution, mark scheme and teaching notes for every one.

Each challenge is a single printable page: the task, a numbered list of what the program must do, an exact example run, a success-criteria checklist with marks, a hint and an extension task. Students tick off the criteria as they go and record their marks on the progress tracker.

Bronze (1–10, 6 marks each): variables, data types, input/output, selection, FOR and WHILE loops, Boolean operators.
Silver (11–20, 8 marks each): string manipulation, lists, functions with parameters and return values, validation, random numbers, Caesar cipher.
Gold (21–30, 10 marks each): bubble sort, linear vs binary search with comparison counts, high-score file, 2D seating plan, login system, binary converter, run-length encoding and a capstone class-results report.

What you get:

Student booklet (33-page PDF + editable Word) – no answers
Teacher pack (42-page PDF + editable Word) – mark schemes, model solutions, common errors, specification map
All 30 solutions as runnable .py files plus the sample data files

Every solution has been run and checked against the example output. Solutions use only the GCSE toolkit (no comprehensions, lambdas or classes) so the logic translates directly to OCR Exam Reference Language. Written for OCR J277 and AQA 8525; suitable for Edexcel and Eduqas. File handling (three Gold challenges) is on the OCR spec but not AQA – still worthwhile practice.

Use it for classwork, homework, cover lessons or Paper 2 revision. Each page is self-contained, so it works without you in the room.

More GCSE and A Level computing resources at learncomputing.org.