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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 · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Identify the bus that carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory.

[1 mark]
  • AAddress bus
  • BControl bus
  • CData bus
  • DSystem bus
Mark scheme
  • A Address bus (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is address bus. Do not accept 'address' on its own.
  • B is not correct because the control bus carries control signals in both directions between the CPU and other components
  • C is not correct because the data bus carries data in both directions between the CPU and main memory
  • D is not correct because the system bus is the collection of all three buses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Address bus

Why: Correct option: the address bus carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory (1).

No marks0/1

C Data bus

Why: The data bus carries data in both directions, so it is not the bus that carries addresses in one direction only from the CPU to main memory; no creditworthy point.

No marks0/1

B Control bus

Why: The control bus carries control signals in both directions, not addresses in one direction only; this is the common control/address bus confusion, so no mark.

2Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers have both primary storage and secondary storage.

Define the term secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Storage that is) non-volatile / keeps its data when the power is turned off (1)
  • (Storage that is) used to store programs and data/files (for later use) (1)
  • (Storage that is) not directly accessible by the CPU / not directly accessed by the CPU (1)

Allow both the non-volatile point and the stores programs and data point from one sentence if each idea is clearly stated, e.g. 'non-volatile storage that holds programs and data'.

Allow accessed via the CPU / must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it for the third point.

Do not accept volatile / loses its data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept a description of primary storage, such as RAM or ROM.

Do not accept capacity.

Do not accept an example device on its own (e.g. hard disk drive).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it does not lose data when the power is turned off. It is used to store programs and data files for later use.

Why: Non-volatile / keeps data when the power is off (1) and used to store programs and data files (1), each idea clearly stated.

Some marks1/2

Secondary storage is used to store programs and data files.

Why: Stores programs and data/files (1), but nothing is said about it being non-volatile or not directly accessible by the CPU.

No marks0/2

Secondary storage is volatile memory that holds the data the CPU is using at the moment.

Why: Describes primary storage (RAM) and says it is volatile, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

3Describe2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

Many modern devices contain embedded systems.

Describe what is meant by the term embedded system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It is a computer/processor built into a larger device (1) to carry out a single dedicated task/function (1)
  • It is a combination of a processor, memory and input/output in one unit (1) that controls the device it is part of (1)
  • It is a computer that forms part of another device (1) so it is not used as a general purpose computer (1)

Allow 'forms part of another device' or 'inside another device' for the first mark.

Do not award the second mark for a separate fact that is not linked to the first point, e.g. 'It is built into a device and it uses little power' would earn only the first mark (1).

Do not accept 'a small computer' on its own, with no reference to being part of another device or performing a dedicated task.

Do not accept 'a computer that controls a device' on its own, with no reference to it being built into/part of a larger device or carrying out a dedicated task.

Do not accept 'it performs a single dedicated task' on its own, with no reference to it being built into/part of a larger device.

Do not accept descriptions of a general purpose computer, e.g. 'it can run many different programs' or 'new software can be installed'.

Do not accept 'it is a system that is embedded in another system' as this repeats the term in the question.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

An embedded system is a computer built into a larger device to carry out one specific/dedicated task

Why: Linked point (1) that it is built into a larger device, developed (1) with the dedicated task it performs.

Some marks1/2

It is a small computer that is inside another device.

Why: First point only (1) - inside/part of another device - with no linked development of a dedicated task.

No marks0/2

It is a computer that controls a device.

Why: Near-miss: only says it controls a device, with no reference to being built into/part of a larger device or a dedicated task, so no marks.

4Explain2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A greenhouse uses an embedded system to keep the plants healthy.

Explain how the embedded system controls the temperature in the greenhouse.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A temperature sensor measures/reads the temperature in the greenhouse (1) which the processor compares with the value stored in the system (1)
  • The heater is switched on (1) when the temperature reading goes below the value stored in the system (1)
  • A fan/vent/window is opened/a cooler is switched on (1) when the temperature reading goes above the value stored in the system (1)
  • The temperature is checked/measured continuously (1) so the heater/fan is switched on or off as soon as the temperature changes (1)

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

Allow one mark for a correct point on its own without a linked reason, e.g. 'a temperature sensor measures the temperature'.

Do not award 'the embedded system controls/keeps the temperature correct' as this repeats the question.

Do not accept naming a device without saying what it does, e.g. 'the greenhouse has a thermostat'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A temperature sensor measures the temperature in the greenhouse, which the processor compares with the value stored in the system.

Why: Point (1): the input and what it measures. Reason (1): the linked statement about what the processor does with the reading.

Some marks1/2

The embedded system uses a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the greenhouse.

Why: A correct point on its own (1); no linked statement about what the system does with the reading, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

The embedded system controls the temperature so the plants do not get too cold.

Why: Rewords the question without saying how the temperature is measured or changed, so no mark is awarded.

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

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

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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

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

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