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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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Practice paper

4 questions · 8 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 recall3 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The CPU contains several components.

Name three components of the CPU.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Control unit / CU (1)
  • Arithmetic logic unit / ALU (1)
  • Register(s) (1)
  • Clock (1)

Do not accept main memory / RAM.

Do not accept cache.

Marks can be awarded in any order.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and registers.

Why: Names three creditworthy CPU components (control unit, ALU, registers), one mark each.

Some marks2/3

Control unit, clock and main memory.

Why: Control unit (1) and clock (1) are creditworthy; main memory is not a component of the CPU, a common misconception seen in the June 2023 question.

No marks0/3

Main memory, RAM and cache.

Why: None are CPU components named in the specification; candidates often confuse main memory with CPU components.

3Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A student has a large number of photographs stored on a computer.

Describe the purpose of data compression software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Makes a file/files smaller (1) so less storage space is needed on the disk (1)
  • Reduces the size of the data (1) so it takes less time to upload/download/transfer the file (1)
  • Compresses files/folders into a single file (1) so an attachment is under the size limit for email (1)
  • Reduces the size of the files (1) so more of them fit onto a storage device/backup media (1)

Do not accept 'it compresses the files' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept responses about protecting files from malware/viruses or about deleting files.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It makes the files smaller (1) so that they use less storage space on the computer and more of them fit on the disk (1).

Why: The point (1) and a linked development giving the benefit (1).

Some marks1/2

It makes files smaller.

Why: This is the point (1) but there is no development of what the smaller size leads to, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

It protects the files from viruses so that they cannot be damaged.

Why: This describes anti-malware software, which the mark scheme does not accept; no creditworthy point is made.

4Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Binary, denary and hexadecimal patterns represent numbers.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
1010 1100Arithmetic shift right by 1
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 1101 (1)
  • 0110 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1101 0110

Why: Every bit moves 1 place right, with copies of the sign bit (1) in from the left: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

0101 0110

Why: Fills the gap on the left with 0s, as a logical shift would, instead of copying the sign bit. The second nibble is correct (1); the first is not.

No marks0/2

0101 1000

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. Neither nibble is correct.

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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