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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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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Short 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.

2Explain2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The CPU carries out the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Explain one reason why the address bus is used in the fetch stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The address bus carries the address of the next instruction (1) so the CPU can locate/fetch it from main memory/RAM (1)
  • The address bus carries the address of the memory location to be read (1) so the instruction/data stored there can be located/accessed (1)
  • The CPU needs to know where the next instruction is stored (1) so the address bus sends the address to main memory/RAM (1)

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

Allow 'from the program counter/PC' as part of the point for one mark, e.g. the address bus carries the address from the program counter (1), but the second mark needs the destination or purpose (e.g. to locate/fetch the instruction in main memory/RAM).

Do not award the second mark for naming the program counter/PC alone.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus carries data/instructions from main memory to the CPU, as these travel on the data bus.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus stores the address.

Do not allow an answer that only restates that the address bus carries addresses without saying which address or why it is needed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter to main memory, so that the CPU can locate the instruction that is to be fetched.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1).

Some marks1/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter.

Why: Point only (1); the second mark is not awarded because the destination/purpose of locating or fetching the instruction is missing.

No marks0/2

It carries the instruction from main memory back to the CPU so that it can be decoded.

Why: Misconception: instructions travel on the data bus, which the mark scheme's Do not accept line covers.

3Explain2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A memory stick uses solid state storage.

Explain how data is stored in solid state storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data is stored as electric charges (1) which are trapped/held in the memory cells/chips (1)
  • A current forces electrons through a barrier (1) and they stay trapped on the other side until another current/'flash' is applied (1)
  • A cell that is holding trapped electrons/a charge represents a 1 (1) and a cell with no charge represents a 0 (1)

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

Allow one mark for stating that data is stored as electric charges/electrons without a linked reason.

Do not accept 'there are no moving parts' or 'it is fast/durable' - these are characteristics of solid state storage, not how data is stored.

Do not accept 'data is stored magnetically' or 'as pits and lands'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Data is stored as electric charges. A current forces electrons through a barrier and traps them, and a cell with a trapped charge represents a 1 while a cell with no charge represents a 0.

Why: Linked point (1) data stored as electric charges with reason (1) electrons forced through a barrier and trapped, and the charge representing the binary values.

Some marks1/2

Data is stored as electric charges.

Why: Allow line (1): states that data is stored as electric charges, but gives no linked reason (how the charges are trapped or how they represent 1s and 0s), so only one mark.

No marks0/2

The data is stored on the chips using tiny magnets, in the same way as a hard disk.

Why: Misconception. Do not accept 'data is stored magnetically' - solid state storage stores data as electric charges, not magnetic patterns.

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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