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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 stores files on a hard disk drive.

A computer stores files on a hard disk drive.

Identify what the drive uses to read and write data.

[1 mark]
  • AA drive head that moves over the spinning platters
  • BA laser that measures reflected light
  • CA memory chip that traps electric charges
  • DA pit and land pattern burnt onto the surface
Mark scheme
  • A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is a drive head.
  • B is not correct because a laser that measures reflected light is used by optical media such as a CD or Blu-ray Disc
  • C is not correct because trapping electric charges is how solid state (flash) storage stores data
  • D is not correct because pits and lands are burnt or pressed onto optical media, not onto a hard disk drive
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters

Why: Correct option (1): a hard disk drive uses a drive head that moves over the spinning platters to read and write data.

No marks0/1

D A pit and land pattern burnt onto the surface

Why: Near miss scoring 0: pits and lands are an optical feature, as line D of the mark scheme says. Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

C A memory chip that traps electric charges

Why: Misconception scoring 0: this confuses a hard disk drive with solid state storage, which stores data as trapped electric charges (line C).

2Short 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.

3Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers have both primary storage and secondary storage.

Define the term secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Storage that is) non-volatile / keeps its data when the power is turned off (1)
  • (Storage that is) used to store programs and data/files (for later use) (1)
  • (Storage that is) not directly accessible by the CPU / not directly accessed by the CPU (1)

Allow both the non-volatile point and the stores programs and data point from one sentence if each idea is clearly stated, e.g. 'non-volatile storage that holds programs and data'.

Allow accessed via the CPU / must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it for the third point.

Do not accept volatile / loses its data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept a description of primary storage, such as RAM or ROM.

Do not accept capacity.

Do not accept an example device on its own (e.g. hard disk drive).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it does not lose data when the power is turned off. It is used to store programs and data files for later use.

Why: Non-volatile / keeps data when the power is off (1) and used to store programs and data files (1), each idea clearly stated.

Some marks1/2

Secondary storage is used to store programs and data files.

Why: Stores programs and data/files (1), but nothing is said about it being non-volatile or not directly accessible by the CPU.

No marks0/2

Secondary storage is volatile memory that holds the data the CPU is using at the moment.

Why: Describes primary storage (RAM) and says it is volatile, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

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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