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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 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

An operating system manages the peripheral devices connected to a computer.

State two tasks carried out by the peripheral 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:

  • Receives input from/sends output to peripheral devices (1)
  • Communicates with/controls a peripheral using its device driver, including installing the driver for a new device (1)
  • Manages the print queue/buffer so that print jobs are sent to the printer in turn (1)
  • Reports the status of a device/a device error to the user, e.g. out of paper (1)

Allow answers that name a specific peripheral, as long as they also say what the operating system does with it, e.g. 'it controls the printer using its driver'.

Do not accept 'manages peripherals'/'controls the hardware' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'managing files' or 'managing users' (file management and user management are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It uses device drivers to control each peripheral and it reports a printer error such as out of paper to the user.

Why: Communicating with a peripheral using its device driver (1) and reporting a device error to the user (1) are two different peripheral management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It manages the print queue.

Why: Managing the print queue is one named peripheral management task (1); no second task is given.

No marks0/2

It manages peripherals and it manages users.

Why: 'Manages peripherals' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'manages users' is user management, not peripheral management.

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 marksFile Management Swap Remove

Describe the purpose of file management in an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Keeps a record/index of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so the file can be found and opened later (1)
  • Allocates space on the disk for each file (1) so files are stored without overwriting each other (1)
  • Provides facilities to name file(s) and organise them into folder(s)/directories (1) so the user can find and manage their files (1)

Do not accept responses about process management, peripheral management or user management.

Do not accept bare statements of storing/saving, e.g. 'it stores files', 'it saves files' or 'it keeps files safe', with no development.

Do not award a mark for responses that repeat the question, e.g. 'it manages files', with no development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk so the file can be found and opened later.

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

Some marks1/2

It organises files into folders.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no development of how this helps the user.

No marks0/2

It manages processes and peripherals so the computer runs smoothly.

Why: Describes other operating system functions, not file management; 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

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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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