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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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2 questions · 3 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markProcess Management Swap Remove

Identify the term for an operating system running more than one task at the same time.

[1 mark]
  • AMultitasking
  • BProcess management
  • CScheduler
  • DTime slice
Mark scheme
  • A Multitasking (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is multitasking. Allow 'multi-tasking'.
  • B is not correct because process management is the wider operating system function that controls processes, not the term for running more than one task at the same time
  • C is not correct because a scheduler decides which process will run next on the CPU
  • D is not correct because a time slice is a fixed period of CPU time allocated to a process by the scheduler
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Multitasking

Why: Correct option (1): multitasking is an operating system running more than one task at the same time.

No marks0/1

B Process management

Why: Near-miss scoring 0: process management is the wider operating system function that controls processes, not the term for running tasks at the same time.

No marks0/1

C Scheduler

Why: Misconception: the candidate has picked a part of process management; the scheduler only decides which process runs next, so no mark is awarded.

2Describe2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use RAM to hold data and instructions while programs run. RAM is volatile.

Describe what this means for the data and instructions that are held in RAM.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The data and instructions held in RAM are lost/cleared/erased when the power is switched off / is cut (1) so RAM can only hold the data and instructions for programs that are currently running (1)
  • If the power is switched off, the data and instructions held in RAM cannot be read/used by the CPU (1) so a program cannot carry on from where it stopped (1)
  • RAM can only hold the data and instructions for a program while the computer is switched on (1) because it loses its contents / cannot keep them without a continuous power supply (1)

Accept 'RAM needs a continuous power supply' / 'RAM needs power to keep its data and instructions' as an alternative way of saying that the data and instructions in RAM are lost when the power is switched off (1). Do not award a second mark for a response that only repeats that the contents are lost when the power is switched off (e.g. 'the data is gone when the power is off').

Do not accept responses that say the data and instructions in RAM are permanent / are stored when the power is off.

Do not award a mark for responses that say RAM is temporary / temporarily holds data with no reference to the power being switched off.

Do not award a mark for responses that state data is deleted/lost without any reference to the power being switched off.

Do not award a mark for responses about RAM being fast, small/large in capacity or read-only, as these do not describe volatility.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The data and instructions held in RAM are lost when the power is switched off so RAM can only hold the data and instructions for programs that are currently running.

Why: Linked point (1): the contents are lost when the power is switched off, plus a distinct linked development (1): RAM only holds the data and instructions for programs that are currently running.

Some marks1/2

If the power is cut then the data and instructions in RAM are gone.

Why: Correct point (1): the data and instructions are lost when the power is cut; no distinct development is given, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

RAM is volatile, which means the data in it is stored permanently and cannot be changed.

Why: Reverses the meaning of volatile and says the contents are permanent; this is the misconception covered by the 'Do not accept' line, so no mark.

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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