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Exam technique. Study skills. Real talk.

Everything ZAK has written since 2008 — how examiners think, how to revise so it sticks, how to keep your head when results are weeks away, and what AI actually means for your learning. Every post opens in full on the original blog.

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posts
73
years of writing
18
categories
8

Latest

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CareersLatest

Computer Science after A Level or Inter: which degree, and why they are not the same thing

UsSalam-o-AlaiKum. Every November the same message lands in my WhatsApp conversations. "Sir, CS or Software Engineering? Is AI better?

8 minRead on Blogger

The archive

Search, filter by theme, or scroll the years. Blogger posts open in a new tab.

All 72 posts

2026

3 posts
Exam technique

Why every cover of my new books is a heat map of the exam

Bismillah. For years students have asked me one question more than any other: "Sir, which book should I follow?" Today I can finally give a complete answer.

2 minRead on Blogger
Exam techniqueOn this site

The 7 Pseudocode Mistakes That Cost You Marks in Paper 2

Forgetting ENDIF, using ELSE IF, off-by-one FOR loops — the examiner has seen every one of these. Here's the checklist to run before you put your pen down.

6 minRead
Exam techniqueOn this site

How to Read a Mark Scheme Like an Examiner

The mark scheme is the closest thing to the examiner's brain. Learn what 'any two from' really means, why command words matter, and how to stop dropping easy marks.

5 minRead

2025

10 posts
Video
Study skills

Your Ultimate Guide To Ace Your A-Level Computer Science (9618) with Active Recall

If you're studying A-Level Computer Science (9618), you've likely faced the frustration of reviewing your notes only to feel like you've retained nothing. You're not alone!

3 minRead on Blogger
Video
Wellbeing

Your Mind Matters More Than Marks: Emotional First Aid for CAIEs

A Message from Zak: You Are Not Alone in CAIE Exam Stress Beloved students, I know how tough exam season can feel.

7 minRead on Blogger
Video
Exam technique

Ultimate Guide to Acing Cambridge AS Level CS Paper 1 (June 2025)

Hello Champions and Educators! As we gear up for the June 2025 Cambridge AS Level Computer Science Paper 1 exam, I've conducted an extensive deep-dive analysis into past exam papers from 2022 to…

3 minRead on Blogger
Video
ZAK & Zakathon

Zafar Ali Khan, Zak: Architect of a New Era in Cambridge Computer Science Education

Known formally as Zafar Ali Khan, but revered simply as Zak, he is a pioneer who has redefined teaching, inspiring, and leading in the world of Computer Science education.

4 minRead on Blogger
Video
Exam technique

Cracking Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 Paper 4 (June 2025)

Your Ultimate Guide to Mastery and Success (June 2025) Welcome future tech innovators! Are you ready to conquer one of the most practical, skill-intensive challenges of your A Level journey?

3 minRead on Blogger
Video
Exam technique

Unlocking the Secrets of the 9618 P3 Exam: Predictions, Tips, and a Winning Strategy

Unlocking the Secrets of Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 Paper 3 (P3) – June 2025 By Zafar Ali Khan (Zak) Founder of CSwithZak, Creator of AskZ AI Teaching Assistant Introduction: Why P3…

4 minRead on Blogger
Video
Exam technique

Unlock the Secrets: Conquering Cambridge 9618 Paper 2 – Your Pseudocode Adventure Awaits!

Welcome, future Computer Science wizards, to the exciting world of Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618)!

6 minRead on Blogger
Video
Exam technique

Exam Technique Tips for Cambridge O Level 2210 and IGCSE 0478

Welcome to a comprehensive guide on acing the Cambridge O Level 2210 and IGCSE 0478 Computer Science exams. These examinations are known for their rigor and breadth, testing everything from factual…

22 minRead on Blogger
Video
AI & AskZ

AskZ: Your Personalized AI Education Partner

Introduction In today's fast-paced world, students and teachers are looking for smarter ways to learn and teach.

5 minRead on Blogger
AI & AskZ

Why AskZ Isn’t Just Another AI — It’s Your Exam-Focused Tutor

As an educator, I’ve watched the AI revolution unfold — and I’ve also seen students get lost in it. Chatbots are everywhere, but most of them are too general, too distracted, and too vague to truly…

2 minRead on Blogger

2023

12 posts
Study skills

Master Google Search Like a Pro

31 Advanced Google Search Tips for Teens Google is a potent tool in our digital world, with its capabilities extending far beyond a simple search box.

4 minRead on Blogger
AI & AskZ

Google's Latest Innovations. June 2023.

A Tech Wonderland for Teens Hey there, tech explorers! Welcome to our journey through the coolest new gadgets and features from our favorite tech giant: Google.

3 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

6 Transformative Habits of Learner-Centric Educators

A Gateway to Unprecedented Success in the Teaching Profession In the dynamic world of education, it's high time we shift our focus from traditional teacher-centric pedagogies to more innovative,…

3 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

Rekindling the Spark of Genuine Learning. A Student's Perspective on Schools with No Tuition Policy.

Awake at 7AM, school at 8AM, home at 3PM, tuition by 4PM, back home at 10PM – rise and repeat. This relentless cycle, unfortunately, epitomizes the reality of numerous O/A level students today.

3 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

Do students respect teachers less nowadays?

Respect is a fundamental value in any human relationship. It is especially important in the context of education, where teachers and students interact on a daily basis.

6 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

The Unfolding Chapter in the Wake of A-Levels: A Ballad of Awakening and Opportunities

In the wake of A-Levels' demanding ride, Stands a youth, future's door open wide. The echoes of past trials softly fade, As the dawn of adulthood begins to cascade.

1 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

Aamir's Journey: A Tale of Self-Discovery and Choosing One's Path

Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Karachi, there was a young man named Aamir. Aamir had just completed his A-Levels from one of the top schools in Pakistan and was awaiting his results.

3 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

A Call to Foster Empathy, Understanding, and Respect in Our Educational Ecosystem

Dear Educators, Parents, and Students, In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the dynamics of education are continually evolving.

3 minRead on Blogger
AI & AskZ

Enhancing Education with ChatGPT: A Guide for Teachers and Students

In the digital age, education is constantly evolving. One of the latest tools to enter the educational sphere is ChatGPT, an advanced AI developed by OpenAI.

3 minRead on Blogger
AI & AskZ

Chat GPT-4: The Dawn of a New Era in Education and Learning

The world of artificial intelligence (AI) has seen a significant breakthrough with the development of OpenAI's GPT-4.

3 minRead on Blogger
Study skills

Rediscovering the Art of Note-taking: Your Key to Success in Computer Science

Dear students, as we have transitioned back fully to in-person classes after the COVID-19 lockdowns and the era of online learning, I've noticed that many of you seem to have given up on note-taking.

2 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

The Theory of 24 Hours of Learning: A Guide to Effective Exam Preparation

Preparing for exams can often feel overwhelming. Many students are unsure whether to study in short, spaced-out sessions or pull all-nighters just before the paper.

2 minRead on Blogger

2020

5 posts
Exam technique

PRM - CS9608 - P2/P4 - Oct/Nov 20 - All Variants

Pre-release Material - CS 9608 - P2/P4 - Oct/Nov 20 - All Variants Complete Solutions Using Python, Visual Basic.net, PROLOG, Pseudocodes, Flowcharts & Structured English.

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

PRM - CS2210/0478 - P2 - Oct/Nov 20 - All Variants

Pre-release Material - CS 2210/0478 - P2 - Oct/Nov 20 - All Variants Complete Solutions Using Python, Visual Basic.net & Pseudocodes.

1 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

The CS Show | Computer Science Live YouTube Streamed Show

The CS Show is a 2020 O/A levels lecture cum discussion based streamed live show on the YouTube from Karachi, Pakistan.

1 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

What can COVID-19 teach us?

Superiority complex, especially where few think that they are better because they make more money and have more work capacity than others, needs to end.

1 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON TEACHERS

Before hotels, restaurants, public transport, borders, gatherings, processions, mosques, churches, marriages and cinemas were asked to observe lock down by government, all schools and tuition centres…

3 minRead on Blogger

2019

3 posts
Exam technique

Dealing with Exam Results’ Anxiety

You have just started enjoying the essence of Eid, you’re having a good time with your Friends and Family when out of nowhere, it hits you; CAIE results are just around the corner.

5 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

O/A Level Computer Science Online Resources

To help students further for preparation of Computer Science subject and for the reinforcement of knowledge gained during class lectures following resources should be used: Website: www.zakonweb.com…

2 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

Computer Science zakonweb app for Android

Computer Science zakonweb app for Android The new Computer Science zakonweb app for Android is here. Exciting new features are added like direct contact by ANY mean and in app notifications.

1 minRead on Blogger

2018

7 posts
Wellbeing

5 signs that scream you Procrastinate too Much

5 signs that scream you procrastinate too much You have an exam tomorrow, you had five days to cover your whole syllabus, but you “calculated” that you can complete it in five hours and decided to…

7 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

How Schools With No Tuition Policy can help Hobbyists, Lowering Tuition Culture and Put a Stop To The Death of Social Life. A students perspective...

Wake up at 7AM, reach school at 8AM, get home at 3PM, reach tuition center at 4PM, back home at 10PM and repeat. This is what represents the life of most O/A level students nowadays.

7 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

You’re Who You Surround Yourself With

You’re Who You Surround Yourself With We meet a lot of people throughout our lives, but there are a few we decide to call our friends; but as we’re advancing in time, it is witnessed that the word…

6 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

A rich Septennial history of signature #Zakathon events

Zafar Ali Khan & Computer Science Marathons ------ Zakathon The marathons that you usually hear about start off with multiple candidates but only one winner.

8 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

Students and Stress

Student life, a stressed commodity where supposedly every thing is in chaos, but amidst that chaos, some students emerge like the knight in shining armor.

7 minRead on Blogger
Careers

Computer Sciences vs Computer Engineering. What to choose?

Computer Sciences vs. Computer Engineering. What to choose? Its nearly that time of the year, when A2 and Second Year Students are searching for options and universities to apply in for their higher…

7 minRead on Blogger
Careers

Why choose Computer Science as a Career?

Computer Science as a Career? Almost every teenager in Pakistan after completing their High school education goes through the stressful thought process of choosing a career path.

7 minRead on Blogger

2016

2 posts
Teaching

6 Habits of Students-Centric Teachers

Teachers may use these habits to take their "student first" mantra beyond lip service and compete for bigger market share both in school/college jobs and personal tuition market.

5 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

5 Powerful Habits of the Most Influential Teachers

There are plenty of teachers who dream of having their big name, but few of them achieve the expert status often needed to gain students and peer support, recognition and turn the dream into a…

5 minRead on Blogger

2015

2 posts
Study skills

Theory of 24 Hours of Learning

Twenty-four hours of study is not always twenty-four hours of learning. The same hours are worth very different amounts depending on whether you spend them over a month, over a week, or in the last…

3 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

Computer Science Marathons; Motives and Behind the Scene Thought.

I have developed a series of resources that include websites, online discussion groups, social media initiative that includes constant encouraging images, challenges and responses, notes, learner's…

4 minRead on Blogger

2014

5 posts
ZAK & Zakathon

New Website For O/A Level Computer Science 2210 & 9608 Resources.

I am pleased to announce the launch of my new website www.zakonweb.com . This product is the result of a lot of work done by my team over the past 6 or 8 months.

1 minRead on Blogger
Careers

Get an Accredited Masters Degree from Georgia Tech US for just $6,600 While Sitting in Pakistan

A lot of you who have done BS in CS ask me from which university in Pakistan should we do our master? I always tell the students no matter how much we love Pakistan we should always face reality.

3 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

O/A Level Computers Marathon Workshops '14

O/A Level Computers Marathon Workshops '14 by: Zafar Ali Khan Boat Basin - Bahadurabad - Gulshan Limited seats available through registrations Only.

1 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

My Flipped Classroom :)

The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed.Short video lectures are viewed by students at home before the class session,…

1 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

Unlocking Knowledge: Providing Computing 9691 on-line, all for free. VIDEOS too.

As Dick K.P. Yue, Professor, MIT School of Engineering for their MIT OCW said: “The idea is simple: to publish all of our course materials online and make them widely available to everyone.” Our…

1 minRead on Blogger

2013

3 posts
Exam technique

Source-code errors found during compilation

There might be questions in CIE from chapter 3.2 asking about errors found during lexical, syntax and semantic stages of compilation.

3 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

10 Advices for Students to Choose the Best Teacher

Tuitions are very popular choice of students for revisions. When deciding for a teacher, every teacher is not the same.

7 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

P2 Observations required to be considered when appearing for CIE exam.

Following are the points need to be considered when you are finished with the P2 syllabus. 1. STRING MANIPULATION A. Dealing with string as an array B. Dealing with string with respect to ASCII 2.

1 minRead on Blogger

2012

5 posts
Careers

Why Computer Studies/Biology at O'Level.

The IBCC added Biology/Computer Studies as a subject for O level students as " necessary " - to get Matric Science Equivalency (way back in 2006).

2 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

A-Level Result: How to Tackle CIE result day

The big day has arrived or arriving, and with it many possible destinies. Let's look at some situations you may be faced with when you get your A-level results and gives the low-down on your options.

6 minRead on Blogger
Careers

Guide to the recognition and acceptance of CIE qualifications in Pakistan for university admissions

Universities in Pakistan recognise and welcome Cambridge international qualifications. The government of Pakistan recognises Cambridge qualifications and provides equivalence to the local system of…

4 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

New 7010 0420 Computer Studies Syllabus Website.

A new website for CIE 7010 0420 O Level Computer Studies syllabus is started recently. This website covers following: P1 Revision notes. P2 Project support. P3 Complete Guess paper.

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

CIE Criteria for High Achievers

This post is based on the response by the CIE. Top in the World refers to the learner who has gained the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject.

3 minRead on Blogger

2011

5 posts
Exam technique

Seven most important P3 topics of Computing 9691

Seven topics when they appear hold approximately 30% of total P3 marks. This simply implies (looking at the latest threshold) that passing P3 exam becomes easier with proper understanding of these…

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

The keywords in a question.

Each question may have a stem, but will then have a keyword at the start of the question sentence. These keywords have specific meanings: State A simple statement of fact, this may be a one word…

4 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

All about CIE Grading System, Grade Threshold, High Achievers Criteria, and IBCC Equivalence

About %ages: Your subjects are divided into two wide categories, namely quantitative and qualitative. Mostly science subjects, computing and accounts (I am not sure about a/c; ask your center if…

11 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

Tips for last hours before CIE exam.

Solve past papers in latest to oldest order. Write in bullets. See http://9691.blogspot.com/2008/10/correct-way-of-writing-answers-in.html for details.

2 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

Earning good grades by employing different strategies and unlikely subject choices.

It’s been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result.

2 minRead on Blogger

2009

4 posts
Exam technique

A Cautious Approach to CIE Exams. CIE may come after your center.

A strange happening has been reported from a member's source in a south east Asian country. A CIE center's candidate after appearing in 9691 exam and within 24 hours for no wicked reason naively…

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

OMG! CIE papers are being leaked out before hand.

Today one of my fellow teachers informed me about happenings in underworld CIE paper leakages. It could be wrong and a hype BUT a warning sign.

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

Significance of Computer lab assistants.

Computing 9691 subject requires major practical work during its two years course. Its P2 and P4 are practical heavy.

2 minRead on Blogger
Wellbeing

Procrastination delays sabotage the project work progress

Never in my teaching tenure students have done any project assignment on time. Their lenient attitude towards subject, generally taking Computing for granted and parents misconception that they are…

1 minRead on Blogger

2008

6 posts
Real talk

Find a new thing to do with Google today

You can do a lot more than search the web with Google nowadays, from reading newspapers in languages you don't speak to seeing the natural habitat of Komodo dragons.

1 minRead on Blogger
Teaching

Online Tuition through Virtual Classrooms

Education Services Outsourcing ( ESO ) or Online Tuition has taken the world like storms. Students and their parents prefer to stay home, spend less and get best possible education.

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

Correct way of writing answers in answer sheet.

It is becoming noticeable in the scripts that there is a significant number of candidates who are answering the questions in any order and even split up individual questions, answering the first part…

4 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

CIE Reporting System for Answer Sheets' Checking.

In few English education boards like Edexel, after students receive their results they are allowed to check their answer papers' marking by the examiners.

1 minRead on Blogger
Exam technique

Power of illustrations.

Today I was in a class and teaching Arrays and internally worshiping the idea to teach using illustrations. As the saying goes "A picture speaks for thousand words", I was in comfort zone…

1 minRead on Blogger
ZAK & Zakathon

New 9691Computing Syllabus Website.

A new website for CIE 9691 Computing syllabus is started recently. This website covers following: AS and A Level revision notes.

1 minRead on Blogger
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