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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 · 5 marks

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1Short recall1 markSoftware Basics Swap Remove

A hard disk drive stores files in pieces in different places on the disk, so the files take longer to open.

Name the utility software that can be used to improve this.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Disk defragmentation (software) (1)

Allow defragmentation software, defragmenter, defrag.

Do not accept disk cleanup, disk formatter, file repair software or backup software.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Disk defragmentation software.

Why: Names the correct utility software (1).

No marks0/1

Disk cleanup software.

Why: Disk cleanup is a near-miss: it is not the utility that rearranges files stored in pieces, so no mark is awarded.

No marks0/1

File repair software.

Why: File repair fixes damaged files and does not bring the pieces of a file back together, so no mark is awarded.

2Describe2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

An operating system keeps a record of the memory it has allocated to each program.

Describe how this record is used.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The start and end address/size of the block allocated to each program is recorded (1) so the operating system knows which areas of main memory are in use and which are free (1)
  • The record is checked before memory is allocated (1) so memory already in use is not given to another program/is not overwritten (1)
  • The record is searched for a free block that is large enough (1) so a newly loaded program is placed in a suitable area of main memory (1)
  • The record is updated when a program ends/closes (1) so the memory it was using is marked as free for other programs (1)

Allow the record to be called a memory map/memory table/allocation table.

A response that only says the operating system keeps a record/list of the memory each program is using, without saying what the record contains, earns 0 marks.

A response that states what the record contains, e.g. the addresses/the start and end address of each block, earns 1 mark even if it does not say how the record is used.

Do not accept responses about saving programs/files to secondary storage or about moving programs to virtual memory, as these are not uses of this record.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system records the start and end address of the block of memory given to each program so that it does not give the same memory to another program.

Why: The start and end address of each block is recorded (1) linked to memory already in use not being given to another program (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system records the start and end address of the memory used by each program.

Why: States what the record contains (1), but does not develop how the record is used, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

The operating system saves the programs to the hard disk so there is enough memory for other programs.

Why: Describes moving programs to secondary storage rather than how the record of allocated memory is used; no creditworthy point is made.

3Explain2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

A school keeps students' work on a computer network. The school uses backup software.

Explain one benefit of using backup software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Lost/damaged files can be restored (1) because a copy is stored separately from the original (1)
  • Data can be recovered after a hardware failure (1) because a duplicate copy is kept on another storage device/location (1)
  • Files can be recovered if they are deleted by accident (1) because a copy was made before they were deleted (1)
  • A previous version of a file can be recovered (1) because backups are made regularly/at set times (1)

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

A benefit stated on its own, such as 'lost files can be restored', earns the first mark only.

Do not accept a description of what backup software does, such as 'it makes a copy of the files' or 'it backs up files', without a benefit it provides.

Do not accept 'keeps data safe' or 'stops files being lost' on its own without saying how the data can be recovered.

Do not accept protection from malware/viruses, e.g. 'it protects the computer from viruses'; that is the purpose of anti-malware software.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Lost files can be restored because a copy of them is stored on another device.

Why: Point (1) for lost files being restored and linked reason (1) because a copy is stored separately.

Some marks1/2

A previous version of a file can be recovered.

Why: A benefit on its own (1); no linked reason saying how the previous version is kept, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

It protects the computer from viruses.

Why: Describes anti-malware software, not backup software; no credit.

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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