GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE 9–1 ACTUAL
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ CPU. Answer: Central Processing Unit
◉ Control Unit (CU). Answer: Coordinating activities of the CPU
◉ Registers. Answer: Quick, small stores of data within the CPU
◉ Memory Address Register (MAR). Answer: Holds memory address
for data or a instruction about to be used by the CPU
◉ Memory Data Register (MDR). Answer: Holds actual data or
instruction
◉ Accumulator. Answer: Stores results of calculations in the ALU
◉ Program Counter (PC). Answer: Holds memory address of the
instruction for each cycle
,◉ Fetch. Answer: The next instruction is retrieved by CPU from main
memory
◉ Decode. Answer: The instruction is broken down and decided so
computer can understand
◉ Execute. Answer: The CPU performs what the instructions told
◉ Embedded System. Answer: A computer system built within a
large device e.g. Camera, washer, car
◉ Volatile. Answer: Memory loses its data when power of
◉ Non-volatile. Answer: Memory retains its data when power is lost
◉ Random Access Memory (RAM). Answer: Read/write - function is
to load open programs and operating system data currently in use -
volatile
◉ Read Only Memory (ROM). Answer: Can only be read, can't be
changed, stores essential programs to be run in order to boot the
computer - non-volatile
,◉ Cache. Answer: A type memory that stores copies of frequently
used data, much faster than RAM, lower capacity - closer to CPU
◉ Buses. Answer: Collection of wires that carry signals between
various components of the computer system
◉ Central Processing Unit (CPU). Answer: Processes all of the data
and instructions that make the system work - can be effected by
clock speed, number of cores, cache size
◉ Clock speed. Answer: How fast the computer does the FDE cycle
◉ virtual memory. Answer: A memory management procedure
needed when the RAM is full so a temporary section is made which
acts like a part of RAM
◉ Flash memory. Answer: Solid state storage, non-volatile, more
reliable/durable but can only be overwritten a limited number of
times
◉ Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Answer: Handles graphics and
image processing
◉ Optical storage. Answer: CD, DVD, Blue-ray
, ADV: cheap,easy to transport
DIS: slow, less storage than hard drives, stored data degrades over
time, cannot be written over
◉ Magnetic storage. Answer: Hard drives
ADV: fast access, stores large amounts of data, low cost
DIS: not very portable, easily be broken
◉ Solid State storage. Answer: USB, flash memory, SD
ADV: fast, small, light, easily potable, quiet
DIS: more expensive, storage capacity less, limited number
erase/write cycles
◉ Cloud stotage. Answer: Data is stored on multiple servers in a
remote location
ADV: secure, can be accessed anywhere, no need to buy
DIS: needs internet, download and upload can be effected by
internet connection, less control if data is held
◉ Operating System. Answer: essential software that links the
hardware and other software together and generally manages the
computer system
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ CPU. Answer: Central Processing Unit
◉ Control Unit (CU). Answer: Coordinating activities of the CPU
◉ Registers. Answer: Quick, small stores of data within the CPU
◉ Memory Address Register (MAR). Answer: Holds memory address
for data or a instruction about to be used by the CPU
◉ Memory Data Register (MDR). Answer: Holds actual data or
instruction
◉ Accumulator. Answer: Stores results of calculations in the ALU
◉ Program Counter (PC). Answer: Holds memory address of the
instruction for each cycle
,◉ Fetch. Answer: The next instruction is retrieved by CPU from main
memory
◉ Decode. Answer: The instruction is broken down and decided so
computer can understand
◉ Execute. Answer: The CPU performs what the instructions told
◉ Embedded System. Answer: A computer system built within a
large device e.g. Camera, washer, car
◉ Volatile. Answer: Memory loses its data when power of
◉ Non-volatile. Answer: Memory retains its data when power is lost
◉ Random Access Memory (RAM). Answer: Read/write - function is
to load open programs and operating system data currently in use -
volatile
◉ Read Only Memory (ROM). Answer: Can only be read, can't be
changed, stores essential programs to be run in order to boot the
computer - non-volatile
,◉ Cache. Answer: A type memory that stores copies of frequently
used data, much faster than RAM, lower capacity - closer to CPU
◉ Buses. Answer: Collection of wires that carry signals between
various components of the computer system
◉ Central Processing Unit (CPU). Answer: Processes all of the data
and instructions that make the system work - can be effected by
clock speed, number of cores, cache size
◉ Clock speed. Answer: How fast the computer does the FDE cycle
◉ virtual memory. Answer: A memory management procedure
needed when the RAM is full so a temporary section is made which
acts like a part of RAM
◉ Flash memory. Answer: Solid state storage, non-volatile, more
reliable/durable but can only be overwritten a limited number of
times
◉ Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Answer: Handles graphics and
image processing
◉ Optical storage. Answer: CD, DVD, Blue-ray
, ADV: cheap,easy to transport
DIS: slow, less storage than hard drives, stored data degrades over
time, cannot be written over
◉ Magnetic storage. Answer: Hard drives
ADV: fast access, stores large amounts of data, low cost
DIS: not very portable, easily be broken
◉ Solid State storage. Answer: USB, flash memory, SD
ADV: fast, small, light, easily potable, quiet
DIS: more expensive, storage capacity less, limited number
erase/write cycles
◉ Cloud stotage. Answer: Data is stored on multiple servers in a
remote location
ADV: secure, can be accessed anywhere, no need to buy
DIS: needs internet, download and upload can be effected by
internet connection, less control if data is held
◉ Operating System. Answer: essential software that links the
hardware and other software together and generally manages the
computer system
