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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 · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer has both primary and secondary storage.

Identify the role of secondary storage.

[1 mark]
  • ATo store data and programs permanently
  • BTo store data and instructions currently in use
  • CTo carry out calculations on data
  • DTo allow the CPU to access programs directly
Mark scheme
  • A To store data and programs permanently (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is to store data and programs permanently.
  • B is not correct because storing the data and instructions currently in use is the role of primary storage/RAM, which is volatile, not the role of secondary storage
  • C is not correct because calculations on data are carried out by the CPU, not by secondary storage
  • D is not correct because secondary storage is not directly accessible by the CPU; data must first be copied into RAM
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A To store data and programs permanently

Why: Correct option (1): storing data and programs permanently is the role of secondary storage, which is non-volatile.

No marks0/1

B To store data and instructions currently in use

Why: Near miss scoring 0: this describes primary storage/RAM, which is volatile, and is not the role of secondary storage (line B of the mark scheme). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D To allow the CPU to access programs directly

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates think the CPU reads programs straight from secondary storage, but secondary storage is not directly accessible by the CPU (line D).

2Short recall1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use RAM to store the data and instructions that are in use.

Name the term used to describe memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Volatile (1)

Allow volatile memory / it is volatile.

Do not accept non-volatile, ROM, RAM or temporary/short term memory on their own, as these are not the term asked for.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Volatile

Why: Correct term for memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off (1).

No marks0/1

Temporary memory

Why: Describes what such memory does but is not the term asked for; 'temporary memory' is on the Do not accept line, so no mark.

No marks0/1

Non-volatile

Why: Non-volatile memory keeps its contents when the power is switched off, the opposite of what the question describes; it is explicitly not accepted.

3Describe2 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.

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

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 71
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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