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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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 · 6 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

An application's instructions and data are copied from secondary storage into RAM before it runs.

Give two reasons why the instructions and data are copied into RAM rather than being read directly from secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • RAM can be accessed/read (much) faster than secondary storage / secondary storage is (much) slower than RAM (1)
  • The CPU would have to wait/idle if instructions and data were read directly from secondary storage (1)
  • The CPU can access RAM directly / RAM is directly accessible to the CPU (1)

Allow hard disk / hard drive / SSD for secondary storage.

Do not accept RAM is volatile / so that instructions and data are not lost when the power is switched off.

Do not accept the computer runs faster / has more storage (without reference to the CPU accessing instructions and data).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

RAM can be accessed much faster than secondary storage, so the CPU would have to wait for its instructions if they were read from the hard disk.

Why: Creditworthy point that RAM is accessed/read faster than secondary storage (1) and the linked point that the CPU would wait/idle without this (1).

Some marks1/2

RAM can be read faster than the hard disk.

Why: Gives one creditworthy reason, that RAM is accessed/read faster than secondary storage (1), but does not say why this matters to the CPU, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

So that the data is not lost when the computer is switched off.

Why: RAM is volatile, so keeping data when the power is off is not a reason for using RAM; this is the misconception in the Do not accept line and scores nothing.

2Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

Describe the purpose of file management in an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Keeps a record/index of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so the file can be found and opened later (1)
  • Allocates space on the disk for each file (1) so files are stored without overwriting each other (1)
  • Provides facilities to name file(s) and organise them into folder(s)/directories (1) so the user can find and manage their files (1)

Do not accept responses about process management, peripheral management or user management.

Do not accept bare statements of storing/saving, e.g. 'it stores files', 'it saves files' or 'it keeps files safe', with no development.

Do not award a mark for responses that repeat the question, e.g. 'it manages files', with no development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so the file can be found and opened later (1).

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

Some marks1/2

It organises files into folders.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no development of how this helps the user.

No marks0/2

It manages processes and peripherals so the computer runs smoothly.

Why: Describes other operating system functions, not file management; no creditworthy point.

3Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

The TCP/IP model has four layers.

Explain one function of the transport layer when a file is sent over a network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Splits the data/file into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1)
  • Adds a packet/sequence number to each packet (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order at the destination (1)
  • Detects lost/missing packets (1) so they can be requested/resent (1)
  • Creates a connection between the two computers/hosts (1) before the file is sent (1)

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

Allow 'segments' for 'packets' (TCP divides the data into segments, which become packets at the internet layer).

Do not accept 'sends the data/file' on its own without saying what the transport layer does to the data.

Do not accept naming TCP or a port number on its own without expansion.

Do not accept routing/addressing packets using IP addresses, which is the internet layer.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The transport layer splits the data into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): splitting into packets lets each one be sent separately.

Some marks1/2

It splits the data into packets (1).

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason given, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

It routes the packets using IP addresses (0) so they reach the right destination.

Why: Routing using IP addresses is the internet layer, not the transport layer, so no credit is given.

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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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