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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 · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

An operating system provides file management.

Define the term file management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The part/function of the operating system (1)
  • That manages/organises files (and folders) (1)
  • On a storage device/disk (1)
  • So files can be stored/found/retrieved (1)

Do not accept managing processes/peripherals/users as the whole definition.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The function of the operating system that organises files and folders on a disk so they can be found and retrieved.

Why: Names the operating system function (1) and managing/organising files on a disk so they can be retrieved (1).

Some marks1/2

Organising files.

Why: Names managing/organising files (1), but does not name the operating system, storage location or retrieval.

No marks0/2

Managing the CPU and peripherals.

Why: Describes process and peripheral management, not file management.

2Short recall2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A user must log in before using a computer.

State two methods, other than a password, that an operating system can use to authenticate a user.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Fingerprint scan (1)
  • Face recognition (1)
  • Iris/retina scan (1)
  • Voice recognition (1)
  • Palm print/vein scan (1)
  • Smart card (1)
  • Security token (1)
  • Authenticator app (1)

Allow one-time passcode (OTP) for authenticator app.

Do not accept password (given in the question).

Do not accept username/user ID (it identifies the user but does not authenticate them).

Do not accept 'two-factor authentication' on its own (it is a combination of methods, not a method itself).

Do not accept 'encryption'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Fingerprint scan and a smart card.

Why: Fingerprint scan (1) and smart card (1) are two accepted methods.

Some marks1/2

Fingerprint scan and a username.

Why: Fingerprint scan (1); username is not accepted because it does not authenticate the user.

No marks0/2

A username and two-factor authentication.

Why: Username is not accepted because it does not authenticate the user, and two-factor authentication alone is not accepted because it is a combination of methods.

3Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A home computer can have more than one user account.

Name two tasks carried out by the user management function of an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Creating/deleting user accounts (1)
  • Storing usernames and passwords (1)
  • Checking login details/authenticating a user at login (1)
  • Setting access rights/permissions for each user, e.g. restricting which files/folders/programs/drives they can access (1)

Allow logging in as an example of checking login details.

Do not accept managing users on its own.

Do not accept provides a user interface, as this is not user management.

Do not accept managing files or managing processes, as these are other functions.

Do not accept stopping hackers/protecting from malware, as this is security, not user management.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It stores usernames and passwords and sets access rights for each user.

Why: Storing usernames and passwords (1) and setting access rights (1) are two different user management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It checks the password at login and manages users.

Why: Checking a password at login earns (1); managing users repeats the question and earns nothing.

No marks0/2

It manages users and stops hackers accessing the computer.

Why: Managing users repeats the question; stopping hackers is security, not user management.

4Explain2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A new printer is connected to a computer.

Explain the purpose of a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It allows the operating system/OS to communicate with the device/printer (1) because it translates the commands into signals the device understands (1)
  • It contains/sends the instructions/commands needed by a particular device (1) so the device carries out the correct actions (1)
  • It controls the device/printer (1) by sending commands/signals to it (1)
  • Different devices need different commands (1) so each one needs its own driver to work with the operating system (1)

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

Do not accept 'it drives/controls the device' on its own without saying how, e.g. by sending commands/signals.

Do not accept hardware/a physical device (a device driver is software).

Do not accept 'it connects the printer to the computer' or 'it installs the printer' without saying that it provides the instructions/commands for the device.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It allows the operating system to send commands to the printer because it translates them into signals that the printer understands.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1).

Some marks1/2

It contains the instructions that the printer needs.

Why: Point (1) but no linked reason.

No marks0/2

It is a piece of hardware that connects the printer to the computer.

Why: Misconception: a device driver is software, not hardware, and saying it connects the printer is not accepted without saying it provides the instructions/commands.

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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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