Algorithm design and problem-solving
Flowcharts
The standard flowchart symbols, how to draw selection and loops, and how a flowchart becomes pseudocode.
Examples use Cambridge pseudocode for the 2026–2028 syllabus.
The symbols
Each shape has one meaning. Arrows (flow lines) show the order the steps run in.
| Shape | Name | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Rounded rectangle | Terminator | START and STOP |
| Rectangle | Process | Calculations and assignments, such as Total ← Total + Mark |
| Parallelogram | Input / output | INPUT Mark, OUTPUT Total |
| Diamond | Decision | A yes/no question, such as Mark >= 50?, with two exits |
| Rectangle with side bars | Subroutine | Calling a procedure or function defined elsewhere |
A loop in a flowchart
This flowchart adds up five marks. The decision checks whether five marks have been entered. If not, the No arrow loops back to input another mark.
- Start / end
- Process
- Input / output
- Decision
The same algorithm in pseudocode
Each shape becomes a line of pseudocode. The loop that repeats until a condition is true becomes REPEAT ... UNTIL.
DECLARE Total : INTEGER
DECLARE Count : INTEGER
DECLARE Mark : INTEGER
Total <- 0
Count <- 0
REPEAT
INPUT Mark
Total <- Total + Mark
Count <- Count + 1
UNTIL Count = 5
OUTPUT TotalExam tip. PseudoEditor's flowchart mode draws any program as a flowchart and turns your edits back into pseudocode. Press Run and it lights up each block as the program reaches it; see the flowchart mode lesson.
Check yourself
Which flowchart symbol is used for INPUT Age?Show answer
The parallelogram (input / output).
How many arrows leave a decision symbol?Show answer
Two: one for Yes and one for No.
References used to build these lessons
We used these official documents as references when building this course's lessons. They are the sources for the syllabus structure and course requirements.
Cambridge International · 2210 · Exams 2026–2028