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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 · 8 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A company stores films on optical media.

Identify the optical storage medium that can store the most data.

[1 mark]
  • ABlu-ray Disc
  • BCD
  • CDVD
  • DMagnetic tape
Mark scheme
  • A Blu-ray Disc (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Blu-ray Disc.
  • B is not correct because a CD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 700 MB
  • C is not correct because a DVD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 4.7 GB (single-layer) or 8.4 GB (dual-layer)
  • D is not correct because magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Blu-ray Disc

Why: Correct option (1): a Blu-ray Disc has the greatest capacity of the optical media.

No marks0/1

C DVD

Why: Near miss scoring 0: a DVD is optical but stores less than a Blu-ray Disc (mark scheme line C). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D Magnetic tape

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates pick tape for its large capacity but magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium (mark scheme line D).

2Short 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.

3Short recall3 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The CPU contains several components.

Name three components of the CPU.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Control unit / CU (1)
  • Arithmetic logic unit / ALU (1)
  • Register(s) (1)
  • Clock (1)

Do not accept main memory / RAM.

Do not accept cache.

Marks can be awarded in any order.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and registers.

Why: Names three creditworthy CPU components (control unit, ALU, registers), one mark each.

Some marks2/3

Control unit, clock and main memory.

Why: Control unit (1) and clock (1) are creditworthy; main memory is not a component of the CPU, a common misconception seen in the June 2023 question.

No marks0/3

Main memory, RAM and cache.

Why: None are CPU components named in the specification; candidates often confuse main memory with CPU components.

4Describe2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A greenhouse uses an embedded system to control the growing conditions for plants.

Describe how the embedded system controls the growing conditions in the greenhouse.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It reads/monitors the temperature/humidity/light level using sensors (1) to switch the heaters/vents/lamps/watering system on or off when the reading is outside the set range (1)
  • It compares the readings from the sensors with the set values/thresholds stored in its memory (1) to decide whether the conditions need to be changed (1)
  • It monitors the light level using a light sensor (1) and turns the lamps on when the light falls below the level the plants need (1)
  • It monitors the soil moisture using a soil moisture sensor (1) and turns the water pump/irrigation on when the soil is too dry (1)

For the second mark, the action/response must be linked to the sensor reading given in the first point.

Allow named sensors (temperature/humidity/light/soil moisture) and named outputs (heater, fan, vent/window, lamp, irrigation/water pump).

Do not accept answers that only name a sensor or only name an output, e.g. 'it has a temperature sensor and a heater', as there is no link between the reading and the control action.

Do not accept answers where a person switches the equipment on or off, as the embedded system controls the conditions automatically.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The embedded system reads the temperature using a sensor and switches the heater on when the temperature is below the set value.

Why: Sensor reading point (1) and linked control action (1).

Some marks1/2

The embedded system compares the readings from the sensors with the set values stored in its memory.

Why: First point only (1) - the comparison with stored values - with no linked action.

No marks0/2

The greenhouse has a temperature sensor and a heater.

Why: Only names a sensor and an output, which the mark scheme says is not accepted.

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

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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