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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 693 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 component that stores instructions and data during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[1 mark]
  • AArithmetic logic unit
  • BClock
  • CMain memory (RAM)
  • DProgram counter
Mark scheme
  • C Main memory (RAM) (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is main memory (RAM); accept 'main memory', 'RAM' or 'random access memory'.
  • A is not correct because the arithmetic logic unit performs arithmetic and logical operations
  • B is not correct because the clock sends regular pulses to synchronise the components of the CPU
  • D is not correct because the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, not the instructions and data
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Main memory (RAM)

Why: Correct option: main memory (RAM) stores instructions and data during the fetch-decode-execute cycle (1).

No marks0/1

D Program counter

Why: Near-miss distractor: the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, not the instructions and data (0).

No marks0/1

A Arithmetic logic unit

Why: Misconception: the ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations, so it does not store instructions and data (0).

2Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A company stores films on optical media.

Identify the optical storage medium that can store the most data.

[1 mark]
  • ABlu-ray Disc
  • BCD
  • CDVD
  • DMagnetic tape
Mark scheme
  • A Blu-ray Disc (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Blu-ray Disc.
  • B is not correct because a CD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 700 MB
  • C is not correct because a DVD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 4.7 GB (single-layer) or 8.4 GB (dual-layer)
  • D is not correct because magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Blu-ray Disc

Why: Correct option (1): a Blu-ray Disc has the greatest capacity of the optical media.

No marks0/1

C DVD

Why: Near miss scoring 0: a DVD is optical but stores less than a Blu-ray Disc (mark scheme line C). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D Magnetic tape

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates pick tape for its large capacity but magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium (mark scheme line D).

3Short recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The central processing unit (CPU) contains an arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

State two types of operation carried out by the ALU.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • An arithmetic operation, e.g. addition/subtraction/multiplication/division (1)
  • A logical operation, e.g. comparing two values (is A > B?) / using AND, OR, NOT (1)

Do not accept decoding instructions, fetching instructions or controlling the timing of the CPU, as these are carried out by the control unit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction, and logical operations such as comparing two values to see if one is greater than the other.

Why: Arithmetic operation (1) and logical operation (1).

Some marks1/2

It adds numbers together and works out the result.

Why: Arithmetic operation, addition (1). No logical operation.

No marks0/2

It decodes the instructions that have been fetched from main memory.

Why: Decoding and fetching are the control unit's role; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this.

4Explain2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A hard disk drive stores data on a spinning magnetic platter.

Explain how data is read from a magnetic hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

  • The read/write head moves over the surface of the platter (1) and detects whether each area of the disk is magnetised (1)
  • The platter spins/rotates (1) so the read/write head can pass over the whole surface/tracks of the disk (1)
  • The pattern of magnetised and non-magnetised areas detected by the read/write head (1) is read as binary 1s and 0s (1)
  • The drive head detects the direction of magnetisation of each area (1) so the data can be read as binary (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow one mark for stating that data is read magnetically / that the read/write head detects the magnetisation of the disk without a linked reason.

Do not accept answers that describe how data is written to the disk, such as the head magnetising the platter, rather than how it is read.

Do not accept 'a laser reads the pits and lands' - this describes optical storage, not magnetic storage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The platter rotates so the read/write head passes over the whole surface of the disk and it detects whether each area is magnetised or not. The pattern of magnetised areas is then read as 1s and 0s.

Why: Linked point (1) rotation of the platter with reason (1) the head reaches the whole surface, and the second line about magnetised areas is also present.

Some marks1/2

The read/write head detects the magnetic charges on the disk.

Why: Allow line (1): states the head detects the magnetisation of the disk, but gives no linked reason (e.g. the platter rotating so the head covers the whole surface), so only one mark.

No marks0/2

A laser shines onto the disk and reads the pits and lands, then the data is sent to the CPU.

Why: Describes optical storage. Do not accept 'a laser reads the pits and lands' - a magnetic disk is read by a head detecting magnetisation.

Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

Build a paper on this topic 58
Adding Binary Numbers 6 questions Binary and Hexadecimal Basics 10 questions Binary Shifts 6 questions Binary to Denary Conversion 6 questions Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Binary Conversion 6 questions Denary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Negative Binary Conversion 6 questions Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion 6 questions

2.2 Data representation

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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Embedded Systems 17 questions Fetch Decode Execute Cycle 15 questions Primary Memory 15 questions Secondary Memory 15 questions Stored Program Computers 15 questions

3.2 Software

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File Management 18 questions Memory Management 16 questions Peripheral Management 11 questions Process Management 12 questions Purpose & Function of Operating Systems 17 questions Software Basics 13 questions User Management 18 questions Utility Software 19 questions

3.3 Programming languages

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Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

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Addressing 16 questions LANs & WANs 16 questions Network Speed 5 questions Packet Switching 16 questions Protocols & Layers 17 questions The Internet 16 questions Topologies 17 questions Wired Connections 17 questions Wireless Connections 18 questions

4.2 Network security

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Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

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E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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