Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

4 questions · 8 marks

Pick again
Print
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.

2Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A hard disk can become fragmented as files are saved and deleted.

Describe how disk defragmentation software improves the performance of a hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Parts of a file are moved so they are stored together/in consecutive locations (1) so the read/write head has less distance to travel to read the file (1)
  • Files are rearranged so that each file is stored in one block (1) which reduces the time taken to open/load the file (1)
  • Free space on the disk is collected into one area (1) so new files can be saved without becoming fragmented (1)
  • The parts of each fragmented file are put in order (1) so fewer movements of the read/write head are needed to read it (1)

Do not accept responses about compressing files, deleting files or increasing the amount of storage, as these are not what defragmentation software does.

Do not accept 'it makes the disk faster' without saying how the files are changed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It moves the parts of a file so they are stored together in consecutive locations, so the read/write head does not have to move as far and the file opens more quickly.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): the file parts are stored together, which reduces read/write head movement.

Some marks1/2

It reorganises the files on the hard disk so that they are stored together.

Why: The point is made (1) but there is no development saying how this improves performance, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It compresses the files so that they take up less space on the disk.

Why: This describes data compression software, which the mark scheme says is not accepted; no creditworthy point is made.

3Explain2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

An operating system manages the peripherals connected to a computer.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs to manage peripheral devices.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data is sent to/received from the correct peripheral (1) because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device (1)
  • A new peripheral can be used as soon as it is connected (1) because the operating system installs/loads the correct device driver for that device (1)
  • Data can be sent to a slow peripheral such as a printer (1) because the operating system stores it in a buffer/print queue until the device is ready to receive it (1)
  • The user is told when a peripheral has a problem (1) because the operating system receives status information from the device and reports the error to the user (1)

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

Allow specific peripherals as the example (e.g. a mouse, a printer) provided the reason says what the operating system does.

Allow 'the operating system responds to an interrupt from a device' as a point, with the reason that the device is signalling that it needs attention/has finished its job.

Do not accept 'the operating system manages/controls the peripherals' or 'it lets the devices be used'/'the peripherals work correctly' on their own, as these repeat the question without saying what the operating system does.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

So that data is sent to the correct peripheral because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device.

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

Some marks1/2

So that data is sent to the correct device.

Why: Point (1) but no linked reason, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

Because the operating system manages the peripherals.

Why: Rewords the question; the 'Do not accept' line says this earns nothing without saying what the operating system does.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.