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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 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 · 6 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 recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

3Describe2 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.

4Explain2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The von Neumann architecture is used in most computers.

Explain one feature of the von Neumann stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The instructions/program instructions and data are stored together in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU can fetch each instruction (from its address) and execute it (1)
  • The instructions/program instructions are held in main memory/RAM (1) rather than being built into/part of the hardware, so the computer does not need to be rewired/rebuilt to run a different program (1)
  • The next instruction to be executed/instruction is held in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU can fetch it using its address before it is decoded and executed (1)

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

A point/statement on its own can only earn one mark.

Do not accept a response that only refers to data being stored in main memory/RAM without referring to the instructions/program instructions.

Do not accept instructions/programs being stored on the hard disk/backing store.

Do not accept 'the program is stored in memory' without saying that it is the instructions/program instructions that are stored there.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Both the instructions of the program and the data it uses are stored together in the same main memory, so the CPU can fetch each instruction in turn and execute it.

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

Some marks1/2

The instructions of the program are stored in main memory.

Why: Point only (1); no linked reason about fetching/executing the instructions.

No marks0/2

The program is stored on the hard disk and is copied into the CPU when it is run.

Why: Misconception covered by the 'Do not accept' line: the instructions must be stored in main memory/RAM, not on the hard disk/backing store, for the CPU to fetch them.

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 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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