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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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1Describe2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use main memory (RAM).

Describe the role of main memory (RAM) in the von Neumann stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Holds/stores the data and instructions of the program currently being run (1) to be fetched by the CPU during the fetch-decode-execute cycle (1)
  • Instructions and data are loaded/copied from secondary storage into RAM (1) before they can be processed by the CPU (1)
  • Stores the program that is currently running (1) together with the data that it uses (1)
  • Holds the data and instructions that the CPU needs next (1) so the CPU can access them quickly (1)

Allow a response that describes both that RAM holds the current program and that the program was loaded from secondary storage into RAM, provided each statement is linked to a development.

Do not accept responses about cache or registers as the store of the current program.

Do not accept responses that say RAM stores data permanently or that RAM is read-only.

Do not accept 'RAM is where the CPU processes data' (this describes the ALU/registers), or 'RAM stores the operating system' unless it is linked to the program currently being run.

Do not award a second mark for a response that only states that RAM holds data and instructions with no linked development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

RAM holds the data and instructions of the program that is currently running so that the CPU can fetch them during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Why: Linked point (1): holds data and instructions of the current program, plus linked development (1): fetched by the CPU in the cycle.

Some marks1/2

RAM holds the data and instructions that the computer is using at the moment.

Why: States the role (1) but gives no linked development, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

RAM is the secondary storage, so the program is kept there when the power is switched off.

Why: Confuses main memory with secondary storage and says contents are kept without power; both near-misses are named in the 'Do not accept' lines, so no mark.

2Explain2 marksTopologies Swap Remove

A bus topology has a terminator at each end of its cable.

Explain why terminators are needed in a bus topology.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Terminators absorb the signal at the ends of the cable (1) so it is not reflected back along the bus (1)
  • Terminators prevent signals reflecting/bouncing back (1) so the reflected signal does not corrupt data on the cable (1)
  • Terminators absorb the signal (1) so it does not collide/interfere with data being sent by other devices (1)
  • Terminators stop the signal reflecting back down the cable (1) so data can be transmitted and received without errors (1)

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

Allow 'interfere'/'corrupt' only where the answer says the reflected signal mixes with/collides with data on the cable.

Do not accept 'to stop the signal' on its own, as stopping the signal is not the same as stopping it reflecting back along the cable.

Do not accept 'to terminate the cable/network', 'to end the cable' or 'to stop the cable breaking'.

Do not award responses that only repeat the stem, e.g. 'because there is a terminator at each end'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Terminators absorb the signal at each end of the cable so that it does not reflect back along the bus.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): absorbing the signal is linked to it not being reflected back along the bus.

Some marks1/2

Terminators absorb the signal at the ends of the cable.

Why: Awarded 1 mark for the point that the signal is absorbed, but no linked consequence is given.

No marks0/2

They terminate the network so the cable does not break.

Why: No credit: it does not say the signal is absorbed or that reflections are prevented, and the mark scheme rejects 'to terminate the network' and 'to stop the cable breaking'.

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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