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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 · 7 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.

2Short recall3 marksUser Management Swap Remove

User management controls what a user can do on a computer.

State three resources that an operating system can limit for a standard user.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Storage space/disk space/disk quota (1)
  • Printer/printing (1)
  • Processor time/CPU time (1)
  • Memory/RAM (1)
  • Internet/network access/bandwidth (1)
  • Removable media/USB drives (1)
  • Software/applications/programs (including the ability to install programs) (1)

Allow 'access to removable media/USB drives'.

Do not accept 'files' or 'folders' on their own.

Do not accept 'passwords' or 'usernames'.

Do not accept 'hardware' on its own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Storage space, the printer and processor time.

Why: Storage space (1), printer (1) and processor time (1) are three accepted resources.

Some marks1/3

Storage space and hardware.

Why: Storage space (1); 'hardware' is too vague to be creditworthy on its own.

No marks0/3

Files, folders and passwords.

Why: Files and folders are not accepted on their own, and passwords are login details, not limited resources.

3Explain2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

An operating system manages the peripherals connected to a computer.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs to manage peripheral devices.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data is sent to/received from the correct peripheral (1) because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device (1)
  • A new peripheral can be used as soon as it is connected (1) because the operating system installs/loads the correct device driver for that device (1)
  • Data can be sent to a slow peripheral such as a printer (1) because the operating system stores it in a buffer/print queue until the device is ready to receive it (1)
  • The user is told when a peripheral has a problem (1) because the operating system receives status information from the device and reports the error to the user (1)

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

Allow specific peripherals as the example (e.g. a mouse, a printer) provided the reason says what the operating system does.

Allow 'the operating system responds to an interrupt from a device' as a point, with the reason that the device is signalling that it needs attention/has finished its job.

Do not accept 'the operating system manages/controls the peripherals' or 'it lets the devices be used'/'the peripherals work correctly' on their own, as these repeat the question without saying what the operating system does.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

So that data is sent to the correct peripheral because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1).

Some marks1/2

So that data is sent to the correct device.

Why: Point (1) but no linked reason, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

Because the operating system manages the peripherals.

Why: Rewords the question; the 'Do not accept' line says this earns nothing without saying what the operating system does.

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

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

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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