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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 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

Utility software helps to keep a computer system running efficiently.

State two examples of utility software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • File repair (software) (1)
  • Backup (software) (1)
  • Data compression (software) (1)
  • Disk defragmentation (software) (1)
  • Anti-malware (software) (1)

Allow antivirus software.

Do not accept file management, process management, peripheral management or user management, as these are functions of the operating system.

Do not accept operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) or application software (e.g. word processor, web browser).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Anti-malware software and backup software.

Why: Two creditworthy examples from the list, one mark each (1) + (1).

Some marks1/2

Anti-malware software and file management software.

Why: Anti-malware software earns one mark (1); file management is a function of the operating system, so it is not a second mark.

No marks0/2

Windows and a word processor.

Why: Windows is an operating system and a word processor is application software, so neither is utility software and no mark is awarded.

2Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

A user deletes an unwanted file from their computer.

Describe what happens when the file is deleted.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The file's entry is removed from the folder/directory (1) so the file no longer appears in the list of files/is no longer listed (1)
  • The (disk) space used by the file is marked as free/available/unused (1) so another file can be saved/stored in that space (1)
  • The file's data/contents are not erased/removed (1) so the file may still be recovered until the space is overwritten (1)

A point stated without development, e.g. 'the file is removed from the folder', earns one mark only.

For the first mark, accept that the file's entry is removed from the folder/directory; the second mark must state that the file no longer appears/is listed.

Do not accept 'stays on disk' alone for the third point; accept 'data is not erased' or 'contents remain'.

Do not accept 'the file is wiped from the disk straight away' or 'the data is destroyed and can never be recovered'.

Do not accept 'the file is moved to the recycle bin/bin' or 'the file is deleted from the hard drive' on its own, as this does not describe what happens to the file or the disk space.

Do not accept responses about moving the file to another folder.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The space the file used is marked as free so another file can be saved in that space.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): space marked free and another file can be saved.

Some marks1/2

The file is removed from the folder.

Why: Point (1) only; no development about the file no longer being listed.

No marks0/2

The data is wiped from the disk straight away so it can never be recovered.

Why: Common misconception; 'wiped straight away' is not accepted, so no mark.

3Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A computer can be used by more than one person.

Describe how an operating system uses access rights to protect each user's files.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each user/file is given permissions/access rights (1) so other users cannot read/write/open/change that user's files (1)
  • A user may be given read-only/read access to a file (1) so they cannot edit/delete/change it (1)
  • Each file is given permissions/access rights for different users (1) so the operating system allows/refuses access depending on which user is logged in (1)
  • The operating system checks a user's permissions/access rights when a file is opened (1) so a user with read-only/read access cannot save/delete changes (1)

Do not accept responses about asking for a password/username, as this checks who the user is, not what they are allowed to do.

Do not accept 'files are protected/safe' or 'access rights protect files' without saying how access is limited (e.g. read-only access, permissions for different users).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file, so they can open it but cannot edit or delete it.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1) and linked development that the user cannot edit/delete the file (1).

Some marks1/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1); no development saying what this prevents, such as being unable to edit/delete the file (0).

No marks0/2

The operating system asks for the password again before the file opens.

Why: Describes asking for a password, which checks who the user is, not access rights to the file; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

An operating system manages the files stored on a computer.

Explain one purpose of file management in an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Files can be organised into folders/directories (1) so users can find/store files easily (1)
  • Files can be located/opened/saved (1) because the operating system keeps track of where each file is stored (1)
  • Access permissions can be set on files (1) so only allowed users can read/modify them (1)
  • Files can be copied/moved/deleted (1) because the operating system controls where data is written/removed on a storage device (1)
  • Free disk space can be monitored/managed (1) so storage does not run out / files are stored efficiently (1)

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

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'organises files' on its own as it repeats the question.

Allow 'makes it easier to find files' as the linked reason for organising files into folders.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

File management lets the operating system organise files into folders so that users can find the files they need more easily.

Why: Point (1) for organising files into folders and linked reason (1) for making files easier to find.

Some marks1/2

It organises files into folders.

Why: Point (1) for organising files into folders; no linked reason.

No marks0/2

It manages the files on the computer so the files are managed properly.

Why: Repeats the question; no purpose or linked reason credited.

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

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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