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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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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Identify what is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage.

[1 mark]
  • AThe next instruction
  • BThe data at a memory address
  • CThe decoded instruction
  • DThe address of the next instruction
Mark scheme
  • A The next instruction (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is the next instruction.
  • B is not correct because data is fetched during the execute stage
  • C is not correct because an instruction is decoded after it is fetched
  • D is not correct because the program counter holds the address used to fetch the instruction
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A The next instruction

Why: The next instruction is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage (1).

No marks0/1

B The data at a memory address

Why: Near miss: data is not fetched during the fetch stage; data is used during the execute stage.

No marks0/1

C The decoded instruction

Why: Misconception: an instruction is decoded after it is fetched, in the decode stage.

2Describe2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A drone is controlled by an embedded system.

Describe the purpose of the embedded system in the drone.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It controls the motors/rotors (1) so that the drone can take off, hover, turn and land (1)
  • It keeps the drone stable/level automatically (1) by taking readings from a sensor (accelerometer/gyroscope/GPS) (1)
  • It receives signals from the remote control (1) and changes the speed of the motors to steer the drone (1)
  • It monitors the battery level (1) and brings the drone back to the ground before the battery runs out (1)

The development must relate to the function given in the point.

Accept a named function that the embedded system controls, e.g. 'it keeps the drone level', as the first mark (1).

Award the second mark only when the development gives a specific outcome or detail of that function, e.g. 'so that the drone can take off, hover, turn and land' or 'by changing the motor speeds to keep it level'.

Do not award the second mark for a generic outcome such as 'so it works', 'so it can fly' or 'so the drone moves'.

A bare 'it controls the motors so it can fly' therefore earns the first mark only.

Allow any other specific function of a drone that is carried out by the embedded system.

Do not accept 'it flies the drone' / 'it is the drone's brain' / 'it makes the drone work' without a named function being controlled.

Do not accept answers that describe the user or the remote control flying the drone with no function carried out by the embedded system.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It keeps the drone level while it is in the air by reading the accelerometer and changing the speed of the motors.

Why: Named function of the embedded system, keeping the drone level (1), developed with the sensor reading and motor speed changes that achieve it (1).

Some marks1/2

It controls the motors of the drone.

Why: First mark only (1) for naming a function the embedded system controls, with no linked outcome or detail to earn the second mark.

No marks0/2

It is the brain of the drone and makes the drone work.

Why: Vague phrase with no named function being controlled, which the mark scheme's 'Do not accept' line rules out.

3Explain2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

An engine control unit (ECU) in a car is an embedded system.

Explain one benefit of using an embedded system for the engine control unit instead of a general purpose computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (The ECU) is more reliable/less likely to crash (1) because it only runs the one program/has a single purpose (1)
  • (The ECU) cannot be affected by other software/viruses (1) because it cannot run other software/it can only run the program it was made for (1)
  • (The ECU) is cheaper (1) because it has limited processing resources/less memory/simple components (1)
  • (The ECU) uses less power (1) because it has limited processing resources/a simpler processor (1)
  • (The ECU) is smaller (1) because it has fewer components/less memory than a general purpose computer (1)

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

A suitable benefit stated on its own earns one mark.

Do not accept a description or a location given as the reason, e.g. 'because it is part of the car', 'because it is inside the engine', 'because it is embedded'.

Do not accept a description of an embedded system on its own as the benefit, e.g. 'it does one specific job' or 'it is part of the car'.

Do not accept 'it is faster'/'it has a more powerful processor' as embedded systems have limited processing resources.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It is more reliable than a general purpose computer because it only runs the one program so it will not crash and stop the engine working.

Why: Benefit stated (1) with a linked reason (1); the reason shows why only running one program makes it reliable.

Some marks1/2

It is more reliable because it is part of the car's engine.

Why: Only the benefit earns a mark (1); being part of the car is a location, not a linked reason why it is reliable.

No marks0/2

It is faster than a general purpose computer because it is embedded in the engine.

Why: Misconception that an embedded system is faster; embedded systems have limited processing resources, so neither point nor reason is creditworthy.

4Explain2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

A technician increases the amount of RAM in a laptop from 8 GiB to 16 GiB.

Explain one benefit of increasing the amount of RAM in a computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More applications/programs can be open/run at the same time (1) because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once (1)
  • Programs run faster (1) because the CPU does not have to wait for instructions/data to be read/transferred from slower secondary storage (1)
  • The CPU waits/idles for less time (1) because instructions and data can be transferred to the CPU more quickly from RAM (1)

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

Do not accept 'more files/photos/documents can be stored' or 'the computer has more storage' - this is a benefit of secondary storage, not RAM.

Do not accept 'the CPU becomes faster' or 'the clock speed increases'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

More programs can be open at the same time because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once.

Why: Linked point (1) for more programs running at the same time and reason (1) for more instructions and data being held in main memory at once.

Some marks1/2

Programs will run faster.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason such as the CPU not having to wait for data from slower secondary storage.

No marks0/2

There will be more space to save files and documents on the laptop.

Why: Misconception: the benefit given is a benefit of secondary storage, which the mark scheme's 'Do not accept' line rules out.

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

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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

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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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