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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

Identify the bus that carries memory addresses from the CPU to main memory. (1)

[1 mark]
  • AAddress bus
  • BControl bus
  • CData bus
  • DProgram counter
Mark scheme
  • A Address bus (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is address bus.
  • B is not correct because the control bus carries control signals
  • C is not correct because the data bus carries data and instructions
  • D is not correct because the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, it does not carry addresses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Address bus

Why: Correct option: the address bus carries memory addresses from the CPU to main memory (1).

No marks0/1

C Data bus

Why: Near-miss distractor: the data bus carries data and instructions between the CPU and main memory, not memory addresses (0).

No marks0/1

D Program counter

Why: Misconception: the program counter is a register that holds the address of the next instruction, it does not carry addresses to main memory (0).

2Multiple choice1 markSound Swap Remove

A sound wave is sampled and the amplitude of each sample is stored using 2 bits.

Identify the number of different amplitude values that can be stored for each sample.

[1 mark]
  • A2
  • B4
  • C8
  • D16
Mark scheme
  • B 4 (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is 4 (2 bits give 2^2 = 4 values).
  • A is not correct because 2 is the number of bits used to store each sample
  • C is not correct because 8 different amplitude values would need 3 bits
  • D is not correct because 16 different amplitude values would need 4 bits
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B 4

Why: Selects the only correct option (1).

No marks0/1

C 8

Why: Near miss: 8 values would need 3 bits, one more than this recording uses (0).

No marks0/1

A 2

Why: Typical misconception: 2 is the number of bits, not the number of amplitude values those bits can store (0).

3Short recall2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

An embedded system is a computer system built into another device to perform a specific function.

Give two examples of devices that contain an embedded system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

  • Microwave (oven) (1)
  • Washing machine (1)
  • Dishwasher (1)
  • Digital camera (1)
  • Satellite navigation/satnav system (1)
  • Traffic light(s) (1)
  • Central heating controller/thermostat (1)
  • Digital watch/fitness tracker (1)
  • Vending machine (1)
  • Car (as it contains embedded systems) (1)

Allow any other device that contains an embedded system.

Do not accept general purpose devices such as a laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone (these can run many different programs).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A microwave oven and a washing machine.

Why: Two creditworthy devices, a microwave oven (1) and a washing machine (1).

Some marks1/2

A dishwasher and a laptop computer.

Why: Dishwasher credited (1); laptop is a general purpose device, so not accepted.

No marks0/2

A desktop computer and a smartphone.

Why: Both are general purpose devices, so neither earns a mark.

4Short recall2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A solid state drive has a capacity of 5 gibibytes.

Give an expression to calculate the number of bits in 5 gibibytes. You do not need to do the calculation.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each of:

  • 5 × 1024^3 / 5 × 1024 × 1024 × 1024 / 5 × 2^30, for the number of bytes (1)
  • A fully correct expression with × 8 to convert bytes to bits, in any order, e.g. 5 × 1024^3 × 8, 8 × 5 × 2^30 (1)

Accept 5 × 1 073 741 824 × 8.

Accept 5 × 2^33 or 42 949 672 960 as a fully correct expression (2 marks).

Do not accept 5 × 1000^3 × 8, which uses decimal multiples.

Do not accept ÷ 8, which converts bits to bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

8 × 5 × 2^30

Why: 5 × 2^30 is the number of bytes (1) and × 8 converts bytes to bits (1).

Some marks1/2

5 × 2^30

Why: Correct number of bytes using the binary multiple 2^30 (1), but no conversion to bits.

No marks0/2

5 × 1000^3 × 8

Why: Uses decimal 1000^3 instead of binary 1024^3, so the expression is not fully correct; no creditworthy point.

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