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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

A computer is designed using the von Neumann stored program concept.

Define the term stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program instructions and data are stored together in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The same memory is used for both instructions and data (1)
  • The instructions are fetched from main memory and executed by the CPU (1)
  • The instructions are fetched and executed one at a time / in sequence (1)
  • The program can be changed/replaced by loading new instructions into memory, without changing the hardware (1)

Do not accept the program is stored in secondary storage / on the hard disk.

Do not accept the program is stored in the CPU / in registers.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The program instructions and the data are stored together in main memory, and the CPU fetches the instructions one at a time and executes them.

Why: Creditworthy point that instructions and data are stored in the same main memory (1) and the linked point that the CPU fetches and executes them from memory (1).

Some marks1/2

The program is held in the main memory (RAM) so that the computer can run it.

Why: Earns the point that the program instructions are stored in main memory (1), but does not say that the CPU fetches and executes them, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

The program is stored on the hard disk and loaded into the CPU when it is run.

Why: Both parts are misconceptions named in the Do not accept lines: the stored program concept keeps the instructions in main memory, not on secondary storage or in the CPU.

2Describe2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The control unit (CU) is a component inside the CPU.

Describe the role of the control unit in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Decodes each (fetched) instruction (1) to work out which operation is needed / which components should carry it out (1)
  • Coordinates/directs the other components (1) by sending control signals along the control bus (1)
  • Fetches the next instruction (1) by sending its address to main memory along the address bus (1)
  • Sends a read/write control signal to main memory (1) so that the instruction or data is transferred during the fetch/execute stage (1)

Do not accept answers about synchronising the CPU or timing the cycles (that is the role of the clock).

Do not accept answers about carrying out arithmetic or logical operations (that is the ALU).

Do not accept answers about holding data or the results of instructions (that is registers/main memory).

Do not accept generic answers that only say the CU controls the CPU or processes instructions, with no linked development.

Only award one mark for a response that only repeats that the CU sends control signals; the second mark needs a linked outcome such as coordination, a memory read/write, or fetching an instruction.

Do not accept 'during the decode stage' as the development for the decoding point, as it restates the question.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It decodes the instruction that has been fetched so that it knows which operation the CPU must carry out and which components should do it.

Why: Decoding named with the acceptable wording 'each (fetched) instruction' (1), plus the linked development that this identifies the operation and components (1).

Some marks1/2

It decodes each instruction during the decode stage of the cycle.

Why: Earns (1) for decoding the instruction. 'During the decode stage' restates the question and is not accepted as a development, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

It carries out the calculations and comparisons when the instruction is executed.

Why: Calculations and comparisons are the ALU's role, which the 'Do not accept' line rules out, so no mark is earned.

3Explain2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The CPU carries out the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Explain one reason why the address bus is used in the fetch stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The address bus carries the address of the next instruction (1) so the CPU can locate/fetch it from main memory/RAM (1)
  • The address bus carries the address of the memory location to be read (1) so the instruction/data stored there can be located/accessed (1)
  • The CPU needs to know where the next instruction is stored (1) so the address bus sends the address to main memory/RAM (1)

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

Allow 'from the program counter/PC' as part of the point for one mark, e.g. the address bus carries the address from the program counter (1), but the second mark needs the destination or purpose (e.g. to locate/fetch the instruction in main memory/RAM).

Do not award the second mark for naming the program counter/PC alone.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus carries data/instructions from main memory to the CPU, as these travel on the data bus.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus stores the address.

Do not allow an answer that only restates that the address bus carries addresses without saying which address or why it is needed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter to main memory, so that the CPU can locate the instruction that is to be fetched.

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

Some marks1/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter.

Why: Point only (1); the second mark is not awarded because the destination/purpose of locating or fetching the instruction is missing.

No marks0/2

It carries the instruction from main memory back to the CPU so that it can be decoded.

Why: Misconception: instructions travel on the data bus, which the mark scheme's Do not accept line covers.

4Explain2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

A technician increases the amount of RAM in a laptop from 8 GiB to 16 GiB.

Explain one benefit of increasing the amount of RAM in a computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More applications/programs can be open/run at the same time (1) because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once (1)
  • Programs run faster (1) because the CPU does not have to wait for instructions/data to be read/transferred from slower secondary storage (1)
  • The CPU waits/idles for less time (1) because instructions and data can be transferred to the CPU more quickly from RAM (1)

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

Do not accept 'more files/photos/documents can be stored' or 'the computer has more storage' - this is a benefit of secondary storage, not RAM.

Do not accept 'the CPU becomes faster' or 'the clock speed increases'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

More programs can be open at the same time because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once.

Why: Linked point (1) for more programs running at the same time and reason (1) for more instructions and data being held in main memory at once.

Some marks1/2

Programs will run faster.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason such as the CPU not having to wait for data from slower secondary storage.

No marks0/2

There will be more space to save files and documents on the laptop.

Why: Misconception: the benefit given is a benefit of secondary storage, which the mark scheme's 'Do not accept' line rules out.

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

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

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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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