Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

4 questions · 6 marks

Pick again
Print
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 recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The central processing unit (CPU) contains an arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

State two types of operation carried out by the ALU.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • An arithmetic operation, e.g. addition/subtraction/multiplication/division (1)
  • A logical operation, e.g. comparing two values (is A > B?) / using AND, OR, NOT (1)

Do not accept decoding instructions, fetching instructions or controlling the timing of the CPU, as these are carried out by the control unit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction, and logical operations such as comparing two values to see if one is greater than the other.

Why: Arithmetic operation (1) and logical operation (1).

Some marks1/2

It adds numbers together and works out the result.

Why: Arithmetic operation, addition (1). No logical operation.

No marks0/2

It decodes the instructions that have been fetched from main memory.

Why: Decoding and fetching are the control unit's role; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this.

3Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

4Explain2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

An engine control unit (ECU) in a car is an embedded system.

Explain one benefit of using an embedded system for the engine control unit instead of a general purpose computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (The ECU) is more reliable/less likely to crash (1) because it only runs the one program/has a single purpose (1)
  • (The ECU) cannot be affected by other software/viruses (1) because it cannot run other software/it can only run the program it was made for (1)
  • (The ECU) is cheaper (1) because it has limited processing resources/less memory/simple components (1)
  • (The ECU) uses less power (1) because it has limited processing resources/a simpler processor (1)
  • (The ECU) is smaller (1) because it has fewer components/less memory than a general purpose computer (1)

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

A suitable benefit stated on its own earns one mark.

Do not accept a description or a location given as the reason, e.g. 'because it is part of the car', 'because it is inside the engine', 'because it is embedded'.

Do not accept a description of an embedded system on its own as the benefit, e.g. 'it does one specific job' or 'it is part of the car'.

Do not accept 'it is faster'/'it has a more powerful processor' as embedded systems have limited processing resources.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It is more reliable than a general purpose computer because it only runs the one program so it will not crash and stop the engine working.

Why: Benefit stated (1) with a linked reason (1); the reason shows why only running one program makes it reliable.

Some marks1/2

It is more reliable because it is part of the car's engine.

Why: Only the benefit earns a mark (1); being part of the car is a location, not a linked reason why it is reliable.

No marks0/2

It is faster than a general purpose computer because it is embedded in the engine.

Why: Misconception that an embedded system is faster; embedded systems have limited processing resources, so neither point nor reason is creditworthy.

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

Build a paper on this topic 24
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.