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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 marksUser Management Swap Remove

An operating system sets access rights for each file.

Give two access rights that can be set for a file.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Read/view (1)
  • Write/edit/modify (1)
  • Execute/run (1)
  • Delete (1)

Allow 'read only' for read.

Treat write/edit/modify as one right only.

Do not accept 'open' or 'access' on its own.

Do not accept usernames/passwords (these are authentication, not file access rights).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Read and write.

Why: Read (1) and write (1) are two separate accepted access rights.

Some marks1/2

Read-only.

Why: Read-only is allowed for read (1), but only one right is given.

No marks0/2

A username and a password.

Why: These are login details used for authentication, not access rights for a file, so no mark is awarded.

2Describe2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

A user closes a program that is running on a computer.

Describe how the operating system manages the main memory that the program was using.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The memory (that was) used by the program is freed/released/marked as free (1) so it can be allocated/reused by another program/process (1)
  • The operating system's memory allocation table/record (of memory in use) is updated (1) to show that the program's memory locations/blocks are now free/available (1)
  • The program's instructions/data are removed/overwritten in main memory (1) so the space they used is no longer reserved for that program (1)
  • The memory pages/blocks allocated to the program are returned to the list of free pages/blocks (1) that can be used when the next program is loaded (1)

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

Do not award two marks for the same idea described twice (e.g. the memory is freed and added to a list of free blocks); the two marks must come from two different linked descriptions.

Do not accept responses about closing the program window, stopping/terminating the program/process, saving the file or deleting the program from secondary storage/the hard disk.

Ignore statements that main memory is 'managed'/'cleaned up' with no development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system updates its memory allocation table to show that the memory locations the program was using are now free, so another program can be loaded into them.

Why: The memory allocation table/record is updated (1) linked to showing the program's memory locations are now free/available (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system frees up the memory the program was using.

Why: The memory used by the program is freed/released (1), but there is no linked development of what this allows.

No marks0/2

The operating system deletes the program from the hard disk to free up memory.

Why: This confuses main memory with secondary storage; deleting the program from secondary storage is named in the 'Do not accept' line, so no creditworthy point is made.

3Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A school laptop is shared by several teachers.

Describe the purpose of giving each teacher their own user account on the laptop.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each teacher can keep their own files/desktop separate (1) so other teachers cannot see or change their work (1)
  • Each teacher's work is saved under their own account (1) so they can find their files easily when they log in (1)
  • The operating system knows which teacher is logged in (1) so it can apply the right access rights to that person (1)
  • Each teacher can set up their own desktop/settings (1) so the laptop is set up the way they like to work (1)

Do not accept responses about the laptop running faster or having more storage because it has more accounts.

Do not accept 'so they can log in' without saying why having separate accounts helps.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each teacher's files are stored separately, so other teachers cannot open or change their work.

Why: Separate files for each account (1) and other teachers kept out of that work (1).

Some marks1/2

So that each teacher has their own files.

Why: First point of separate files per account (1), but no development of what this achieves (0).

No marks0/2

So the laptop runs faster because each teacher has their own account.

Why: Gives speed as a purpose of user accounts, which is not correct for user management; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer stores many files on its hard drive.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs file management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored (1) so files can be found/retrieved later (1)
  • The operating system keeps files in separate storage locations (1) so files are not overwritten/lost (1)
  • The operating system allocates files to folders/directories (1) so it can keep track of the files stored on the disk (1)
  • The operating system deletes/moves files (1) so storage space is freed/reused (1)

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

Do not accept 'it manages files'/'it organises files' without expansion as to what is managed or organised.

Do not accept 'so files are managed/organised' as the linked reason.

Do not accept 'so the computer works' as the linked reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk, so a program can find and open the file later.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): record of file location and retrieval.

Some marks1/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason given.

No marks0/2

The operating system manages the files so the files are managed.

Why: Repeats the question ('manages files') and the expansion restates the point ('so the files are managed'); no creditworthy point under the Do not accept lines.

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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