ICT Edexcel 4IT0
Exam Revision Notebook — Theory Notes, Chapters 1–12
How to use this notebook
Go chapter by chapter. Bold highlighted words are key terms — learn the full definition, not just the word, because examiners give marks for detail, not for repeating the word back. Each chapter ends with a quick recap, key vocabulary and review questions with full mark-scheme answers. Tick off chapters in the revision checklist as you go.
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Exam Preparation — Edexcel International GCSE ICT (4IT0)
Command words, technique tips, and a revision checklist to work through before the exam.
Command words & how many marks they're worth
| Word | What it asks you to do | Typical marks |
|---|---|---|
| State / Give / Name | Recall one fact — no explanation needed. | 1 mark per point |
| Identify | Pick out a key detail from the question or a resource. | 1 mark |
| Define | Give a precise meaning of a term. | 1 mark |
| Describe | Give an account of what something is or how it works. | 2–4 marks |
| Explain | State a point and give a reason — look for "because"/"so that". | 2–4 marks |
| Compare | Give both similarities and differences between things. | levels-marked |
| Discuss | Explore more than one side of an issue, then reach a conclusion. | 8 marks |
| Justify | Give reasons that support a decision or opinion. | levels-marked |
Technique tips
- Match your answer's length to the mark allocation — one clear point per mark for "state" questions.
- For "Explain", always add the reasoning: what happens and why/what the effect is.
- For "Discuss", cover a benefit and a drawback, then finish with a short conclusion.
- Use precise ICT vocabulary from the notebook (e.g. "bandwidth", not "internet speed").
- Read the number of marks before you answer — it tells you how many separate points are needed.
- Don't repeat the question back — spend every line on new, creditable information.
Revision checklist
Tick off each chapter as you revise it — your progress is saved on this device.