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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 recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer uses secondary storage to keep programs and data.

Give two examples of secondary storage devices that store data using magnetic media.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Hard disk drive/HDD (1)
  • External/portable hard disk drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape (1)

Allow a named device or the storage media type, e.g. hard disk/hard disc for hard disk drive, tape for magnetic tape

Allow floppy disk/floppy disk drive

Do not accept solid state devices (SSD, USB flash drive/memory stick, SD card/memory card) or optical media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) as these do not store data using magnetism

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Hard disk drive and magnetic tape

Why: Hard disk drive (1) and magnetic tape (1) are both magnetic secondary storage, so both marks are awarded.

Some marks1/2

Hard disk drive and SD card

Why: Hard disk drive is magnetic (1); an SD card is solid state, not magnetic, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

CD and DVD

Why: Both are optical media, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

2Short recall1 markEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A ticket machine only performs the tasks needed to sell tickets.

State the name of this type of computer system.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Embedded (computer) system (1)

Allow embedded computer/embedded device.

Allow dedicated (computer) system.

Do not accept microcontroller/microprocessor controlled system.

Do not accept general purpose computer/PC/laptop.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

An embedded system.

Why: Correct name of the type of computer system (1).

No marks0/1

A microcontroller.

Why: Near miss: a microcontroller is a component inside an embedded system, not the name of the type of system, so the 'Do not accept' line applies and it scores nothing.

No marks0/1

A general purpose computer.

Why: Misconception: the stem states the system only performs the tasks needed to sell tickets, so 'Do not accept general purpose computer' applies and it scores nothing.

3Describe2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use secondary storage.

Describe the role of secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Stores programs (including the operating system) and data that are not currently in use (1) so that they can be loaded into RAM/main memory when needed (1)
  • Keeps files/programs/data when the power is turned off (1) which happens because it is non-volatile (1)
  • Stores files/data for backup or archiving (1) so that they can be recovered if the originals are lost/corrupted (1)

A correct role on its own earns one mark; the second mark requires a linked development.

Accept either order if both the role and the link are given.

Do not accept 'it is non-volatile' on its own, unless it is linked to keeping data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept answers that only name a storage type (magnetic, optical, solid state) without describing a role.

Do not accept responses that describe primary storage/RAM, e.g. storing the data/instructions the CPU is currently working on, or that secondary storage makes the computer run faster.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage stores programs and data that are not currently in use so that they can be loaded into RAM when they are needed.

Why: Role point (1) linked to loading into RAM when needed (1).

Some marks1/2

It stores files and programs that are not currently in use.

Why: Correct role on its own earns one mark (1); no linked development, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It holds the data and instructions the CPU is working on so the computer runs faster.

Why: Describes primary storage/RAM and a speed benefit, which the mark scheme does not accept; no role of secondary storage is given.

4Explain2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

RAM is used to store data while a computer is running.

Explain one reason why the data in RAM is lost when a computer is switched off.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • RAM is volatile (memory) (1) because it needs a constant/continuous power supply to hold/store the data it contains (1)
  • Data is held in RAM as electrical states/charges (1) so when the power supply is removed these states cannot be kept/refreshed and the data is lost (1)
  • RAM is used as short-term storage for the data and instructions currently in use (1) because it can only hold them while the computer has power (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement and must link the loss of the data to the power supply being removed.

Accept 'RAM is volatile' on its own for the first mark; the second mark is only awarded for a linked reason about the power supply.

Do not accept 'RAM is temporary/short-term memory' or 'RAM is cleared when the computer is switched off' on its own for both marks, as neither gives a reason.

Do not accept answers that say the data is deleted/cleared/erased by the computer or the operating system, or that the data is saved/moved to secondary storage, without saying why the data cannot be kept (e.g. because RAM needs power/is volatile).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

RAM is volatile memory, which means it needs a constant power supply to keep the data it is holding. When the power is switched off, the data is lost.

Why: Linked point (1) for 'RAM is volatile memory' and reason (1) for needing a constant power supply to hold the data.

Some marks1/2

The data in RAM is lost because RAM is volatile memory.

Why: Point (1) for 'RAM is volatile' but no linked reason about the power supply, and the mark scheme states that 'RAM is volatile' alone earns only the first mark.

No marks0/2

The data is deleted from RAM by the operating system when the computer is shut down so that the memory is free for next time.

Why: No creditworthy point: the answer says the data is deleted without saying why it cannot be kept, 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

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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

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

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