PMT
Centre Candidate
Surname
Number Number
First name(s) 0
GCSE
3500U10-1 S23-3500U10-1
FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2024 – AFTERNOON
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Unit 1: Understanding Computer Science
1 hour 45 minutes
For Examiner’s use only
Maximum Mark
Question
Mark Awarded
1. 9
2. 8
3. 8
3 5 0 0 U101
4. 16
01
5. 4
6. 9
7. 12
8. 4
9. 8
10. 12
11 10
Total 100
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page.
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.
If you run out of space, use the continuation page(s) at the back of the booklet, taking care to
number the question(s) correctly.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.
You are reminded of the need for good English and orderly, clear presentation in your answers.
The total number of marks is 100.
Some questions will require you to draw on your knowledge from multiple areas of your course of
study.
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. CB*(S21-3500U10-1)
, PMT
2
Examiner
only
Answer all questions.
1. (a) Tick (√) the correct box to show if each statement about CPUs is TRUE or FALSE. [4]
STATEMENT TRUE FALSE
A dual-core CPU will always process instructions twice as fast
as a single-core CPU.
The ALU can perform comparisons on data e.g. an IF
statement in a high-level language.
Overclocking is the process of setting a processor to run
slower than its original design.
Cache memory has a slower disk access speed than RAM.
(b) Describe the fetch-decode-execute cycle. [3]
(c) Describe the difference between an embedded system and a general-purpose
computer system. [2]
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. (3500U10-1)
, PMT
3
Examiner
only
2. Ahmed is considering purchasing a new personal computer from a local store.
(a) The store recommends that Ahmed uses flash memory to store the system BIOS
instead of ROM.
Explain why the store has made this recommendation. [2]
(b) Ahmed’s new computer will come with 4 GB of RAM as standard, but he is able to
upgrade this to 8 GB. Give two benefits of upgrading the RAM to 8 GB. [2]
BENEFIT 1
3 5 0 0 U101
03
BENEFIT 2
(c) Name two input and two output devices that Ahmed may wish to consider purchasing
with his new computer. [4]
INPUT DEVICE 1: .............................................................................................
INPUT DEVICE 2: .............................................................................................
OUTPUT DEVICE 1: .............................................................................................
OUTPUT DEVICE 2: .............................................................................................
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. (3500U10-1) Turn over.
Centre Candidate
Surname
Number Number
First name(s) 0
GCSE
3500U10-1 S23-3500U10-1
FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2024 – AFTERNOON
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Unit 1: Understanding Computer Science
1 hour 45 minutes
For Examiner’s use only
Maximum Mark
Question
Mark Awarded
1. 9
2. 8
3. 8
3 5 0 0 U101
4. 16
01
5. 4
6. 9
7. 12
8. 4
9. 8
10. 12
11 10
Total 100
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page.
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.
If you run out of space, use the continuation page(s) at the back of the booklet, taking care to
number the question(s) correctly.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.
You are reminded of the need for good English and orderly, clear presentation in your answers.
The total number of marks is 100.
Some questions will require you to draw on your knowledge from multiple areas of your course of
study.
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. CB*(S21-3500U10-1)
, PMT
2
Examiner
only
Answer all questions.
1. (a) Tick (√) the correct box to show if each statement about CPUs is TRUE or FALSE. [4]
STATEMENT TRUE FALSE
A dual-core CPU will always process instructions twice as fast
as a single-core CPU.
The ALU can perform comparisons on data e.g. an IF
statement in a high-level language.
Overclocking is the process of setting a processor to run
slower than its original design.
Cache memory has a slower disk access speed than RAM.
(b) Describe the fetch-decode-execute cycle. [3]
(c) Describe the difference between an embedded system and a general-purpose
computer system. [2]
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. (3500U10-1)
, PMT
3
Examiner
only
2. Ahmed is considering purchasing a new personal computer from a local store.
(a) The store recommends that Ahmed uses flash memory to store the system BIOS
instead of ROM.
Explain why the store has made this recommendation. [2]
(b) Ahmed’s new computer will come with 4 GB of RAM as standard, but he is able to
upgrade this to 8 GB. Give two benefits of upgrading the RAM to 8 GB. [2]
BENEFIT 1
3 5 0 0 U101
03
BENEFIT 2
(c) Name two input and two output devices that Ahmed may wish to consider purchasing
with his new computer. [4]
INPUT DEVICE 1: .............................................................................................
INPUT DEVICE 2: .............................................................................................
OUTPUT DEVICE 1: .............................................................................................
OUTPUT DEVICE 2: .............................................................................................
© WJEC CBAC Ltd. (3500U10-1) Turn over.
