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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 659 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 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer can run more than one process at a time.

Give two tasks carried out by the process 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:

  • Deciding which process runs next on the CPU/scheduling processes (1)
  • Allocating processor/CPU time to processes/allowing multitasking (1)
  • Managing the process life-cycle/process states (ready, running, blocked) (1)
  • Handling interrupts so a running process is suspended and another can run (1)
  • Stopping/terminating a process when it has finished (1)

Do not accept 'managing processes' on its own.

Do not accept 'handling interrupts' on its own.

Do not award two marks for the same task expressed twice, e.g. 'deciding which process runs next' and 'scheduling processes', or 'allocating CPU time' and 'giving each process a share of processor time'.

Do not accept 'managing memory/memory management', 'managing files/file management' or 'managing devices/peripherals' (these are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Deciding which process runs next on the CPU and stopping a process when it has finished.

Why: Scheduling a process (1) and terminating a process (1) are two different named tasks.

Some marks1/2

Deciding which process runs next and scheduling processes.

Why: Both points are the same task expressed twice, so only one mark is awarded under the guidance.

No marks0/2

Managing processes and managing files.

Why: 'Managing processes' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'managing files' is file management, not process management, so it is not credited.

2Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

File management is one function of an operating system.

Describe what the operating system does to the folder structure when a file is moved to a different folder.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Updates/changes the location/path stored for the file (1) so the file can be found in its new folder/location (1)
  • Removes the file's entry/reference from the old folder (1) so the file no longer appears/is listed there (1)
  • Adds/creates an entry/reference for the file in the new folder (1) so the file appears/is listed in its new location (1)
  • Updates the folder/directory listing/structure (1) to show the file's new location/path (1)

Do not accept descriptions of copying the file or leaving a duplicate in the old folder.

Do not accept deleting and recreating the file, or moving the file's data to a different physical location on the disk; the marks are for updating the folder/directory structure.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It updates the location stored for the file so the file can be found in its new folder.

Why: Linked point (1) and development/outcome (1).

Some marks1/2

It removes the file's entry from the old folder.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked development.

No marks0/2

It deletes the file from the old folder and saves it again in the new folder.

Why: Describes deleting and recreating the file, which the mark scheme does not accept.

3Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A school laptop is shared by several teachers.

Describe the purpose of giving each teacher their own user account on the laptop.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each teacher can keep their own files/desktop separate (1) so other teachers cannot see or change their work (1)
  • Each teacher's work is saved under their own account (1) so they can find their files easily when they log in (1)
  • The operating system knows which teacher is logged in (1) so it can apply the right access rights to that person (1)
  • Each teacher can set up their own desktop/settings (1) so the laptop is set up the way they like to work (1)

Do not accept responses about the laptop running faster or having more storage because it has more accounts.

Do not accept 'so they can log in' without saying why having separate accounts helps.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each teacher's files are stored separately, so other teachers cannot open or change their work.

Why: Separate files for each account (1) and other teachers kept out of that work (1).

Some marks1/2

So that each teacher has their own files.

Why: First point of separate files per account (1), but no development of what this achieves (0).

No marks0/2

So the laptop runs faster because each teacher has their own account.

Why: Gives speed as a purpose of user accounts, which is not correct for user management; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer can appear to run several programs at the same time.

Explain one reason why an operating system schedules the processes running on a computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system decides which process will use the CPU next (1) so the processor is shared between processes/processes take turns (1)
  • The operating system allocates CPU time to each process/gives each process a small amount of time on the CPU (1) so multitasking can take place/several programs can appear to run at once (1)
  • The operating system manages the state of each process, e.g. ready/running/blocked (1) so a process waiting for input/blocked does not stop other processes running (1)
  • The operating system can terminate/end a process that has stopped responding (1) so it does not affect other processes/the computer keeps working (1)

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

Do not accept the idea that the CPU runs two or more processes at exactly the same time; multitasking shares CPU time.

Do not accept 'the OS shares the CPU' on its own without saying how/why, e.g. giving each process a turn/CPU time.

Do not accept 'it stops programs crashing' without a link to process management, e.g. ending a process that has stopped responding.

Do not accept 'it manages processes' without saying what the operating system does.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It decides which process will run on the CPU next so several programs can share the processor and appear to run at once.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): CPU scheduling and shared processor.

Some marks1/2

It gives each program a small amount of time on the CPU.

Why: Point (1) only; it does not give a linked reason such as allowing multitasking.

No marks0/2

The CPU runs all the programs at exactly the same time.

Why: Misconception: the CPU does not run processes at exactly the same time; no creditworthy point.

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

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

Build a paper on this topic 65
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 12 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Malware 8 questions

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