TCE Computer Science: Java, computer architecture and data in the TASC exam

Nine criteria, five of them examined

The course is split into two areas. Area 1 is problem solving and programming (criteria 1 to 3) and Area 2 is computer fundamentals and computer limitations (criteria 4 and 5). Internal tasks in the course document include ten programming tasks in Java, an algorithms task, a software development life cycle task, and tasks on logic laws, truth tables and Karnaugh maps, number representation, data representation and the TOY machine.

The exam

The specification describes a three-hour written exam, with 15 minutes of preparation time for notes. There are five sections, A to E, each taking about 36 minutes and worth 36 marks. Every section has three compulsory questions of 12 marks each, and questions may need written and diagrammatic responses. The Computer Science Information Sheet is provided, and TASC says the final rating algorithm takes account of every section carrying equal time weight.

Worked examples

Two's complement (Criterion 5)

Represent −5 in 8-bit two's complement. Start from +5 = 00000101, invert every bit to get 11111010, then add 1:

So −5 is 11111011. Check it by adding 5: 11111011 + 00000101 = 100000000, and the carry out of the eighth bit is discarded, leaving 00000000. Our Two's Complement calculator lets you try other values.

Tracing a Java method (Criteria 2 and 3)

public class Counter {
    private int count = 0;

    public void add(int n) {
        if (n > 0) {
            count = count + n;
        }
    }

    public int getCount() {
        return count;
    }
}

If you call add(4), add(−2) and add(3) on a new Counter, then getCount() returns 7, because the −2 fails the test n > 0 and is ignored. Say which part of the class hides the data (the private field), and why a method, not direct access, changes it. Both points address Criterion 3, objects in design.

Binary conversions are a staple. Try them in the Number Systems course, then press Mark:

Awards and ratings

For Computer Science, TASC uses 14 ratings: 9 from internal assessment and 5 from the exam. The minimum requirements are:

The ATAR uses your best Level 3 and Level 4 results across two years, with the TCE and at least Satisfactory Achievement in four TASC Level 3 or 4 courses needed for eligibility. Results are released on Wednesday 16 December 2026.

Dates

Use the daily paper as practice

Your provider sets its own trial exam. The free daily paper on the Year 12 Software Engineering track is a short timed practice paper: 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, marked as you go. It is not a TASC exam.

• It fits: number representation and floating point, processor architecture, Boolean algebra and logic gates, and object-oriented programming.
• It does not fit: SQL and databases, regular expressions and finite state machines are not named in the course document. The daily paper is language-neutral, while the TASC exam uses Java.
• Revise the Information Sheet alongside, since it is provided in the exam.

Exam answers

Answers and a worked mark scheme arrive with each daily paper once it has been marked. They are Uni-Sine's own, not TASC solutions.

Mistakes in TCE Computer Science

• Forgetting to add 1 after inverting the bits in two's complement.
• Writing Java that would run but doesn't answer the algorithm question asked in Section A.
• Treating every section as 12 marks of recall. Each question is worth 12 and wants a developed answer.
• Leaving a diagram question blank because a written answer feels safer.

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