Choose an A Level IT tutor who knows the updated Cambridge 9626 syllabus, practises the practical papers with your child through screen-sharing and teaches theory answers that apply knowledge to the scenario. A Level IT combines theory papers with practical tasks in common software, and students often lose marks through small practical errors or generic theory answers. This guide explains the course and how to choose a tutor.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches A Level subjects one-to-one.

Key takeaways

• 9626 combines theory and practical papers.
• The syllabus was updated for first assessment in 2025.
• Practical accuracy and speed improve with timed practice.
• Theory answers must be applied to the context given.

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What is A Level IT?

Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology (9626) is a course on how IT systems are structured and used, how to build practical IT solutions, and how new and emerging technologies affect society. Cambridge updated the syllabus for first assessment in 2025, restructuring content and adding examples. See Cambridge’s 9626 page.

Stage	Papers
AS Level	A theory paper and a practical paper
A Level	Adds an advanced theory paper and an advanced practical paper

IT vs Computer Science

	A Level IT (9626)	A Level Computer Science (9618)
Focus	Applying IT systems and software	Programming and computational theory
Practical work	Spreadsheets, databases, graphics and other applications	Writing programs
Suits	Applied, practical learners	Future programmers

If your child takes Computer Science instead, see our A Level computer science tutors.

Where do students lose marks?

Practical marks are mostly lost through not following the task precisely and slow working, while theory marks are lost through generic answers that ignore the scenario. Common problems:

• spreadsheet formulae that work but aren’t what was asked;
• database queries with wrong criteria;
• missing evidence of work;
• theory answers that list features without explaining their use in context.

Signs your child needs an IT tutor

• slow or inaccurate on practical tasks;
• low theory marks despite good knowledge;
• unfamiliar with some software required;
• little lab time at school.

How to choose an A Level IT tutor: step by step

1. Confirm the syllabus is 9626 and the exam year.
2. Ask which paper is weakest.
3. Book a trial lesson on a past practical task with screen-sharing.
4. Check how the tutor teaches accuracy against the brief.
5. Ask about applied theory answers.
6. Agree a plan alternating practical and theory.

Browse our Cambridge International A Level tutors; we can match an IT specialist.

What should a good IT tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
9626 knowledge	Updated syllabus
Software fluency	Practical papers
Applied theory	Scenario-based questions
Timed practice	Practical papers are tight
Emerging technologies	Part of the content

What does a good IT lesson look like?

1. A theory question applied to a scenario.
2. One practical skill demonstrated.
3. A past practical task done with screen-sharing.
4. Checking against the brief and mark scheme.
5. A practice task for the week.

How to write an applied theory answer

1. Identify the scenario: who uses the system and why.
2. Name the feature or technology.
3. Explain how it works in that context.
4. Give a benefit or drawback for those users.
5. Conclude if the question asks for a judgement.

How parents can help

• make sure the right software is available at home;
• encourage regular practical practice;
• check past practical papers are being completed.

Questions to ask an IT tutor

1. Have you taught the updated 9626 syllabus?
2. How do you practise practical papers online?
3. How do you improve theory answers?

How much tutoring is enough?

One hour a week suits most students, with extra practical sessions before mocks.

A sample term plan

Weeks	Focus
1–2	Diagnostic practical and theory tasks
3–5	Spreadsheets and data handling
6–8	Databases and other applications
9–10	Theory: systems and emerging technologies
11–12	Timed past papers

How to tell tutoring is working

• practical tasks are completed within time;
• fewer marks lost for not following the brief;
• theory answers refer to the scenario;
• confidence with all the software in the syllabus.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online A Level tutoring, including IT.

• A tutor matched to 9626.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our A Level tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring the brief → follow every instruction.
• Generic theory → apply to the scenario.
• No timed practice → time practical tasks.
• Missing evidence → save and present all required work.

Talk to us

For related subjects, see our guides to an A Level computer science tutor and an IGCSE ICT tutor. Contact our team to be matched. If you already study with Tutopiya, log in and raise a ticket from your portal dashboard by clicking the + icon in the bottom-right corner.

Summary: choose an A Level IT tutor who knows the updated 9626 syllabus, practises practical tasks with screen-sharing and teaches applied theory answers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cambridge A Level IT? +

Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology (9626) develops IT skills and understanding: IT systems and their uses, practical solutions using common software, and new and emerging technologies and their impact.

Is A Level IT the same as Computer Science? +

No. IT focuses on using and applying IT systems and software, while Computer Science focuses on programming, algorithms and computational theory.

Has the 9626 syllabus changed? +

Cambridge updated 9626 for first assessment in 2025, restructuring the content and refreshing learning outcomes for new technologies. The overall content is largely the same.

Can practical papers be practised online? +

Yes. With screen-sharing, the tutor can watch the student work in the software, point out errors and suggest faster methods in real time.

Does Tutopiya offer A Level IT tutors? +

Yes. Tutopiya's curriculum includes Cambridge International A Level IT, taught one-to-one online. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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