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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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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Short recall2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

The operating system keeps a record of where each program and its data are stored in main memory.

State two reasons why the operating system needs this record.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • So that it does not overwrite/use memory that is already being used by another program (1)
  • So that it can find the program/data again when the program needs it (1)
  • So that it knows which memory locations are free/can be allocated to a new program (1)
  • So that it can keep the data used by each program separate from other programs (1)
  • So that it can free the memory when the program is closed/knows which memory to release (1)

Do not accept 'so the program runs faster'.

Do not accept 'so that the program is not lost when the power is turned off' (this is about saving files to secondary storage, not main memory).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

So that the operating system does not put a new program on top of memory that another program is already using, and so that it can find the data again when the program needs it.

Why: Creditworthy point 'does not overwrite memory used by another program' (1) and 'find the program/data again when needed' (1).

Some marks1/2

It knows where the program is so it can find it again when it needs to run it.

Why: Creditworthy point 'find the program/data again when it is needed' (1); no second reason given.

No marks0/2

So that the program is not lost when the computer is switched off.

Why: This is about saving to secondary storage, not about a record of main memory locations; not a creditworthy reason, so no marks.

2Short recall2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A computer can be shared by more than one user.

Define the term user management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Manages user accounts/profiles/logins (1)
  • Authenticates users when they log in (through passwords/biometrics) (1)
  • Controls what each user is allowed to access (access rights/permissions) (1)
  • Sets which files/folders/resources a user can use (1)
  • Gives different levels of access to different users (e.g. administrator/standard user) (1)

Allow 'decides which users can use the computer' for the manage user accounts/logins mark.

Allow references to access to files/folders/resources for the access rights mark, as this is part of user management, not file management.

Do not accept 'manages users' on its own.

Do not accept 'controls user access' on its own, as it is unclear whether this means logging in or access rights.

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'manages peripherals' (these are other operating system functions).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system manages user accounts and logins, and sets access rights so each user can only use certain files and resources.

Why: Manages user accounts/logins (1) and controls what each user is allowed to access through access rights (1).

Some marks1/2

It manages the users who can log in to the computer.

Why: Manages user logins (1); no creditworthy point about access rights/permissions.

No marks0/2

It manages the files and peripherals for different users.

Why: File management and peripheral management are other operating system functions, so neither mark is earned.

3Describe2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A computer is connected to a new games controller.

Describe the purpose of a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A device driver is software/program (1) that controls a peripheral device (1)
  • It translates instructions from the operating system (1) into commands/signals the device understands (1)
  • It allows the operating system to communicate with a specific device (1) without needing to know the device's hardware details (1)
  • It is installed for a new device (1) so the operating system can use that device (1)

Do not accept responses that say a device driver is hardware or that it makes a device faster.

Do not award 'it is part of the CPU'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A device driver is a program that controls a peripheral device. It translates instructions from the operating system into commands the device understands.

Why: Gives the linked description: software/program (1) that controls a peripheral (1).

Some marks1/2

It translates instructions from the operating system.

Why: Gives the first point (1) but does not develop it into commands/signals the device understands.

No marks0/2

A device driver is a piece of hardware that connects the controller to the computer.

Why: No credit: says a device driver is hardware, which the mark scheme does not accept.

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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