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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.

2Short 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.

3Describe2 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

An operating system manages the processes running on a computer.

Describe the purpose of process management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Decides which process is given use of the CPU (1) so that more than one program can run/appear to run at the same time (1)
  • Allocates CPU time to each process (1) so that no single process takes control of the CPU (1)
  • Manages the states/life-cycle of each process (1) so processes can be moved between ready/running/blocked (1)
  • Keeps track of the processes and their status (1) so a process waiting for a resource can be returned to the CPU when it is ready (1)

Do not accept responses that only describe what a process is.

Do not accept responses that only list the types of operating system management.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It decides which process will use the CPU so that several programs can run without one taking over the processor.

Why: Decision about CPU use (1) linked to allowing several programs to run (1).

Some marks1/2

It decides which process uses the CPU.

Why: One creditworthy point about choosing a process for the CPU (1), but no linked development.

No marks0/2

It makes sure the computer has enough RAM to store files.

Why: Describes memory/file management, not process 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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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