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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).

2Multiple choice1 markStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Identify the function of the control unit in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[1 mark]
  • ADecodes instructions
  • BPerforms arithmetic operations
  • CStores data and instructions
  • DTemporarily stores data being processed
Mark scheme
  • A Decodes instructions (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Decodes instructions.
  • B is not correct because the arithmetic logic unit performs arithmetic operations
  • C is not correct because main memory stores data and instructions
  • D is not correct because registers temporarily store data being processed
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Decodes instructions

Why: Correct option: the control unit decodes instructions during the fetch-decode-execute cycle (1).

No marks0/1

C Stores data and instructions

Why: Main memory stores data and instructions, not the control unit; this is a common distractor, so no mark.

No marks0/1

B Performs arithmetic operations

Why: Arithmetic operations are performed by the ALU, not the control unit; a common confusion between CPU components, so no mark.

3Describe2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

A computer is based on the von Neumann stored program concept.

Describe how the CPU uses main memory (RAM) during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program's instructions (and the data it uses) are held in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU fetches both the instructions and the data from that one memory (1)
  • The CPU fetches the next instruction from main memory/RAM (1) using the address of the memory location that holds it (1)
  • The CPU reads/fetches data from main memory/RAM (1) when an instruction needs it and writes the result back to main memory/RAM (1)
  • The program's instructions are held in main memory/RAM while the program runs (1) and the CPU fetches them one at a time/one after another to be decoded and executed (1)

Allow 'memory' for main memory/RAM.

Allow 'gets' for fetches/reads.

For both marks, the development must say what the CPU does with the contents of main memory (fetches/reads/writes), not just that main memory is used.

Do not accept answers about the program being stored in secondary storage, such as on a hard drive, or about it being loaded from there.

Do not accept benefits such as the computer running faster or being easier for the user.

Do not accept naming CPU components (control unit, arithmetic logic unit, registers) or buses on their own, without saying what is stored or fetched.

Do not accept 'the computer stores data' on its own, without a link to the instructions of a program.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The program's instructions and the data it uses are both held in the same main memory (RAM), so the CPU can fetch the instructions and the data it needs from that one memory.

Why: Linked point (1) that instructions and data are stored together in main memory, with the development (1) that the CPU fetches both from the same memory.

Some marks1/2

The CPU fetches the instructions from main memory so that they are processed more quickly.

Why: The first point earns (1) for the CPU fetching instructions from main memory. The second statement is a benefit (speed), which the 'Do not accept benefits' line rules out, so it earns nothing.

No marks0/2

The control unit decodes each instruction and the ALU carries out the calculations.

Why: Both statements name CPU components without saying what is stored, fetched or written, which the mark scheme tells examiners not to accept, so neither earns a mark.

4Describe2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A drone is controlled by an embedded system.

Describe the purpose of the embedded system in the drone.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It controls the motors/rotors (1) so that the drone can take off, hover, turn and land (1)
  • It keeps the drone stable/level automatically (1) by taking readings from a sensor (accelerometer/gyroscope/GPS) (1)
  • It receives signals from the remote control (1) and changes the speed of the motors to steer the drone (1)
  • It monitors the battery level (1) and brings the drone back to the ground before the battery runs out (1)

The development must relate to the function given in the point.

Accept a named function that the embedded system controls, e.g. 'it keeps the drone level', as the first mark (1).

Award the second mark only when the development gives a specific outcome or detail of that function, e.g. 'so that the drone can take off, hover, turn and land' or 'by changing the motor speeds to keep it level'.

Do not award the second mark for a generic outcome such as 'so it works', 'so it can fly' or 'so the drone moves'.

A bare 'it controls the motors so it can fly' therefore earns the first mark only.

Allow any other specific function of a drone that is carried out by the embedded system.

Do not accept 'it flies the drone' / 'it is the drone's brain' / 'it makes the drone work' without a named function being controlled.

Do not accept answers that describe the user or the remote control flying the drone with no function carried out by the embedded system.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It keeps the drone level while it is in the air by reading the accelerometer and changing the speed of the motors.

Why: Named function of the embedded system, keeping the drone level (1), developed with the sensor reading and motor speed changes that achieve it (1).

Some marks1/2

It controls the motors of the drone.

Why: First mark only (1) for naming a function the embedded system controls, with no linked outcome or detail to earn the second mark.

No marks0/2

It is the brain of the drone and makes the drone work.

Why: Vague phrase with no named function being controlled, 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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