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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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1Short recall1 markUtility Software Swap Remove

A file may become corrupted and cannot be opened.

State the purpose of file repair software.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • To repair/recover corrupted/damaged files so they can be opened/used again (1)
  • To recover as much of the data as possible from a damaged file (1)
  • To reconstruct parts of a damaged file (1)

Allow "to fix corrupted files".

Do not accept "to repair the hard disk" (disk repair).

Do not accept "to recover deleted files" (file repair recovers corrupted/damaged files, not deleted ones).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

To repair corrupted files so they can be opened again.

Why: Repair corrupted files so they can be used again (1).

No marks0/1

To repair the hard disk.

Why: Hard disk repair is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

No marks0/1

To recover files that have been deleted.

Why: Recovering deleted files is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

2Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

An operating system manages the peripheral devices connected to a computer.

State two tasks carried out by the peripheral management function of an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Receives input from/sends output to peripheral devices (1)
  • Communicates with/controls a peripheral using its device driver, including installing the driver for a new device (1)
  • Manages the print queue/buffer so that print jobs are sent to the printer in turn (1)
  • Reports the status of a device/a device error to the user, e.g. out of paper (1)

Allow answers that name a specific peripheral, as long as they also say what the operating system does with it, e.g. 'it controls the printer using its driver'.

Do not accept 'manages peripherals'/'controls the hardware' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'managing files' or 'managing users' (file management and user management are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It uses device drivers to control each peripheral and it reports a printer error such as out of paper to the user.

Why: Communicating with a peripheral using its device driver (1) and reporting a device error to the user (1) are two different peripheral management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It manages the print queue.

Why: Managing the print queue is one named peripheral management task (1); no second task is given.

No marks0/2

It manages peripherals and it manages users.

Why: 'Manages peripherals' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'manages users' is user management, not peripheral management.

3Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A student has a large number of photographs stored on a computer.

Describe the purpose of data compression software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Makes a file/files smaller (1) so less storage space is needed on the disk (1)
  • Reduces the size of the data (1) so it takes less time to upload/download/transfer the file (1)
  • Compresses files/folders into a single file (1) so an attachment is under the size limit for email (1)
  • Reduces the size of the files (1) so more of them fit onto a storage device/backup media (1)

Do not accept 'it compresses the files' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept responses about protecting files from malware/viruses or about deleting files.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It makes the files smaller so that they use less storage space on the computer and more of them fit on the disk.

Why: The point (1) and a linked development giving the benefit (1).

Some marks1/2

It makes files smaller.

Why: This is the point (1) but there is no development of what the smaller size leads to, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

It protects the files from viruses so that they cannot be damaged.

Why: This describes anti-malware software, which the mark scheme does not accept; no creditworthy point is made.

4Explain2 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

A user opens a web browser.

Explain what the operating system does to get the browser's process ready to run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A process is created for the program (1) so that its instructions can be loaded into RAM (1)
  • The process is put into the ready state (1) so that it can wait for the CPU to become available (1)
  • The operating system adds the process to a queue of ready processes (1) so the scheduler can choose it when the CPU is free (1)
  • The operating system allocates the resources the process needs (1) so that it can start running when it is given CPU time (1)

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

Allow 'main memory' for RAM.

Do not accept 'the browser is downloaded/loaded from the internet'.

Do not accept 'the program is run immediately on the CPU' without the ready step.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It creates a process and loads the browser's instructions into RAM, then puts the process in the ready state to wait for CPU time.

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

Some marks1/2

It moves the program into RAM.

Why: A correct point (1) but no linked reason about the process being made ready.

No marks0/2

It runs the program straight away on the CPU.

Why: This describes the running state, not making the process ready, so no credit.

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

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

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