Paper 2 · Electives Overview
Weighting: 25% · Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes · Pick any 2 of 3.
Paper 2 contains three elective sections — 2A, 2B, 2C — and you answer the two corresponding to the electives you have studied. Each elective contributes ~30 minutes and ~30 marks.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | 2A · Databases | 2B · Web Application Development | 2C · Algorithm & Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum hours | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| Main languages | SQL (SQL-92) | HTML / CSS / JavaScript / PHP (from 2026) | Python, C++ (Pascal until 2027) |
| Prerequisite Compulsory module | A · Information Processing | C · Internet & its Applications | D · Computational Thinking & Programming |
| Strengths required | Logic, attention to syntax | Mix of design and coding | Algorithmic thinking, debugging |
| Difficulty | Medium | Medium | Higher |
| Predictability | High | Medium | Lower |
| Best pair | 2B (most popular combo) | 2A or 2C | 2A or 2B |
Detailed elective pages
- 2A · Databases — relational concepts, SQL deep dive, ER diagrams, normalisation
- 2B · Web Application Development — networking, HTML/CSS/JS/PHP, sessions
- 2C · Algorithm & Programming — algorithms, data structures, file handling, sensors
Programming languages by year
| Year | Compulsory D | 2B | 2C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Python (also C++, Pascal) | JavaScript | Python (also C++, Pascal) |
| 2026 | Python (also C++, Pascal) | PHP added | Python (also C++, Pascal) |
| 2027 | Python (also C++, Pascal) | JS + PHP | Python (also C++, Pascal) |
| 2028 → | Only Python or C++ | JS + PHP | Only Python or C++ |
Choosing wisely
- 2A + 2B is the most common combo — predictable mark schemes, shared web+DB toolchain.
- 2A + 2C suits maths-strong students.
- Avoid 2C alone with weak coding fundamentals — 2C tests deep algorithmic logic.
Live SQL workspace for 2A practice
The fastest way to internalise SQL is to write a query, run it, see the output, change one clause, run it again — every day. Open SQL Books in a browser tab; each account ships with its own MySQL sandbox plus structured SQL Books courses covering SELECT → WHERE → JOIN → sub-queries. Schools can also share databases with classmates for collaborative work.