SEAB’s 2027 SEC private-candidate directories list different software for Computing at G1, G2 and G3. G1 K127 lists Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, together with Scratch. G2 K237 lists Excel, PowerPoint and Scratch. G3 K349 lists Excel, Python and JupyterLab Desktop. Start with your exact subject level and syllabus before setting up a practice computer.
Treat the software list as the starting point. Read the syllabus and available specimen materials to see what each assessment asks you to do. Then check any examination instructions SEAB issues about software versions, files and the exam setup. A home setup is for practice, and the examination centre’s instructions govern the sitting.
- Match your Computing level to K127, K237 or K349.
- Use the software listed for that level.
- Open the syllabus and identify the assessed tasks.
- Rehearse completing, naming and saving practice files.
- Check the exam instructions when they are issued.
Set up the right tools for your level
For G1, keep Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Scratch on your practice checklist. For G2, use Excel, PowerPoint and Scratch. For G3, practise with Excel and the listed Python and JupyterLab Desktop environment. Compare the exact directory row before installing software or paying for access.
If you currently use a browser-based substitute or a different application, compare what it does with the official practice setup. Check the steps that matter for the tasks in your syllabus. A difference in file handling or menus can slow you down even if the underlying concept is familiar.
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Make a practice routine you can repeat
Choose a task from the applicable syllabus or specimen materials. Start from a fresh file and note the input, the action you need to perform and the expected output. Complete the task, save the result and reopen it to check that it works. If the exercise gives naming or folder instructions, follow them literally. Use invented data for practice unless the official materials provide a file.
When something fails, record where it went wrong. For a spreadsheet this might be a formula that refers to the wrong cell. For a program it might be an input that produces the wrong result. Correct the smallest error you can identify, then run the same test again.
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Worked example
A learner expects to sit G2 Computing and has been following a Python course. They check K237 and find Scratch, Excel and PowerPoint on the official list. They open the G2 syllabus and specimen materials, then practise with the relevant tools. They keep general problem-solving notes from the Python course while changing the software used for their timed rehearsals.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the G1 software list the same as G2?
The published lists overlap, but G1 also lists Word. Check the row for your level.
Should I bring my own computer?
Follow the official reporting and equipment instructions for your sitting. The syllabus directory’s software list identifies the tools to check.
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