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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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 · 5 marks

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1Multiple 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.

2Short recall2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

An application's instructions and data are copied from secondary storage into RAM before it runs.

Give two reasons why the instructions and data are copied into RAM rather than being read directly from secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • RAM can be accessed/read (much) faster than secondary storage / secondary storage is (much) slower than RAM (1)
  • The CPU would have to wait/idle if instructions and data were read directly from secondary storage (1)
  • The CPU can access RAM directly / RAM is directly accessible to the CPU (1)

Allow hard disk / hard drive / SSD for secondary storage.

Do not accept RAM is volatile / so that instructions and data are not lost when the power is switched off.

Do not accept the computer runs faster / has more storage (without reference to the CPU accessing instructions and data).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

RAM can be accessed much faster than secondary storage, so the CPU would have to wait for its instructions if they were read from the hard disk.

Why: Creditworthy point that RAM is accessed/read faster than secondary storage (1) and the linked point that the CPU would wait/idle without this (1).

Some marks1/2

RAM can be read faster than the hard disk.

Why: Gives one creditworthy reason, that RAM is accessed/read faster than secondary storage (1), but does not say why this matters to the CPU, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

So that the data is not lost when the computer is switched off.

Why: RAM is volatile, so keeping data when the power is off is not a reason for using RAM; this is the misconception in the Do not accept line and scores nothing.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

Source code can contain syntax errors.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in the way they deal with syntax errors.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler reports all syntax errors after translation has finished (1) whereas the interpreter stops at the first error it finds (1)
  • The interpreter reports a syntax error as soon as it finds one (1) and does not translate/execute any more of the program (1)
  • The compiler continues translating after an error (1) and reports the errors at the end (1)
  • The interpreter stops translating when it reaches an error (1) but the compiler finishes translating before reporting errors (1)

Do not accept answers about fixing/correcting errors or about object code.

Do not award 'the compiler finds more errors' without saying errors are reported at the end.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler reports all the syntax errors at the end of translation, whereas an interpreter stops and reports the error as soon as it finds one.

Why: Compiler reports errors at the end (1) and interpreter stops/reports at the first error (1).

Some marks1/2

An interpreter stops translating when it finds a syntax error.

Why: Interpreter stops at the first error (1); no comparison with when the compiler reports errors.

No marks0/2

A compiler reports a syntax error immediately, before translating the rest of the program.

Why: Reverses the compiler's behaviour; it finishes translating before reporting errors.

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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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