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

3 questions · 6 marks

Pick again
Print
1Short recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Computers use the von Neumann stored program concept.

Define the term stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Program instructions are stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The data used by the program is stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The CPU fetches/reads instructions from main memory to execute them (1)
  • The program can be run without the instructions being input again (1)

Allow 'the program is stored in memory' for one mark.

Do not accept answers about programs being stored on secondary storage, such as a hard disk or USB memory stick.

Do not accept answers that only describe the von Neumann architecture (e.g. having a CPU and memory) without stating that instructions are stored in main memory.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Both the program instructions and the data the program uses are held in the same main memory, and the CPU fetches these instructions from memory to execute them.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1) and the CPU fetches instructions from memory to execute them (1).

Some marks1/2

Program instructions are stored in main memory.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1). No second point about data being stored in the same memory or about the CPU fetching instructions.

No marks0/2

The program is saved on the hard disk so that it can be loaded into RAM when the user runs it.

Why: A near-miss about secondary storage, which the mark scheme says not to accept; the stored program concept is about instructions being held in main memory.

2Describe2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A laptop uses a solid state drive (SSD) for secondary storage.

Describe how data is stored on a solid state drive.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data is stored on (flash) memory chips/cells (1) as a pattern of electrical charges (1)
  • A current/voltage forces electrons through a barrier (1) so that they are trapped (or not trapped) to hold/represent a value (1)
  • Cells with a trapped charge and cells with no trapped charge (1) represent 1s and 0s/binary (1)
  • The trapped charge remains when the power is turned off (1) so the data is not lost/it is non-volatile (1)

Do not accept responses that describe magnetic storage, e.g. magnetised platters, spinning disks or read/write heads, or optical storage, e.g. lasers, pits and lands.

Do not award a mark for 'it is solid state' or 'it has no moving parts' without a description of how the data is stored.

Do not award a mark for restating the stem, e.g. 'a laptop uses an SSD' or 'an SSD uses flash memory'.

'Data is stored as electrical charges' on its own, with no reference to memory chips/cells or to how the charge is held, earns a maximum of one mark (1).

A response that only describes electrons being trapped, with no link to how the value/data is represented, earns one mark (1). The second mark needs a link such as trapped and not trapped charge representing 1s and 0s, or the trapped charge being kept so the data is not lost.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A current is used to force electrons through a barrier so that they become trapped, and a cell with a trapped charge or a cell with no trapped charge represents a 1 or a 0.

Why: Linked description: a current forces electrons through a barrier (1) and trapped/not trapped charge represents 1s and 0s (1).

Some marks1/2

The data is stored in flash memory chips.

Why: Gives the creditworthy point that data is stored on flash memory chips (1) but does not develop it, e.g. by saying the data is held as electrical charges or by describing trapped electrons.

No marks0/2

The data is stored as magnetised areas on a spinning platter.

Why: This describes magnetic storage, which the mark scheme says not to accept for a solid state drive.

3Describe2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The CPU contains registers.

Describe the role of registers in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • During fetch, the program counter holds the address of the next instruction (1) which is used to fetch that instruction from main memory/RAM (1)
  • During fetch, the instruction is held in a register/current instruction register (1) so the control unit can decode it (1)
  • During decode, the control unit decodes the instruction held in a register/current instruction register (1) to identify the operation/operand to be carried out (1)
  • During execute, a register/accumulator holds the data being operated on (1) and stores the result from the ALU (1)
  • During execute, a register holds the result of an ALU operation (1) before it is written back to main memory/RAM (1)

Accept other correctly named registers (program counter/PC, current instruction register/CIR, memory address register/MAR, memory data register/MDR, accumulator) where their role is linked to a stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Do not accept 'registers store data' or 'registers hold data' on its own, without a link to fetch, decode or execute (or to the CPU currently processing it).

Do not accept responses that state registers are in main memory or that registers store data/instructions permanently.

Do not accept 'registers are a type of memory' or 'registers store the program' as they do not describe a role in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

During fetch, the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, which is used to fetch that instruction from main memory.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): program counter holds the address of the next instruction during fetch, and this is used to fetch it from main memory.

Some marks1/2

During fetch, the program counter holds the address of the next instruction.

Why: Point only (1): names a register and gives a role in the fetch stage, but no linked development.

No marks0/2

Registers are part of main memory and store the program permanently.

Why: No creditworthy point: states registers are in main memory and store data permanently, which the mark scheme rejects.

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.