GCSE Computer Science (OCR) exam with question
and well verified ANSWERS 2026!!!
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - ANSWERS-Performs operations on data e.g. Addition, subtraction
Control Unit (CU) - ANSWERS-Coordinating activities of the CPU
Registers - ANSWERS-Quick, small stores of data within the CPU
Memory Address Register (MAR) - ANSWERS-Holds memory address for data or a instruction about to
be used by the CPU
Memory Data Register (MDR) - ANSWERS-Holds actual data or instruction
Accumulator - ANSWERS-Stores results of calculations in the ALU
Program Counter (PC) - ANSWERS-Holds memory address of the instruction for each cycle
Fetch - ANSWERS-The next instruction is retrieved by CPU from main memory
Decode - ANSWERS-The instruction is broken down and decided so computer can understand
Execute - ANSWERS-The CPU performs what the instructions told
Embedded System - ANSWERS-A computer system built within a large device e.g. Camera, washer, car
Volatile - ANSWERS-Memory loses its data when power of
Non-volatile - ANSWERS-Memory retains its data when power is lost
Random Access Memory (RAM) - ANSWERS-Read/write - function is to load open programs and
operating system data currently in use - volatile
Read Only Memory (ROM) - ANSWERS-Can only be read, can't be changed, stores essential programs to
be run in order to boot the computer - non-volatile
Cache - ANSWERS-A type memory that stores copies of frequently used data, much faster than RAM,
lower capacity - closer to CPU
Buses - ANSWERS-Collection of wires that carry signals between various components of the computer
system
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-How fast the computer does the FDE cycle
, virtual memory - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Solid state storage, non-volatile, more reliable/durable but can only be
overwritten a limited number of times
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) - ANSWERS-Handles graphics and image processing
Optical storage - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Hard drives
ADV: fast access, stores large amounts of data, low cost
DIS: not very portable, easily be broken
Solid State storage - ANSWERS-USB, flash memory, SD
ADV: fast, small, light, easily potable, quiet
DIS: more expensive, storage capacity less, limited number erase/write cycles
Cloud stotage - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-essential software that links the hardware and other software together
and generally manages the computer system
Command-line Interface - ANSWERS-Text commands where user has to type in command
Graphical User Interface (GUI) - ANSWERS-uses icons and other visual indicators to navigate and issue
commands
Utility Software - ANSWERS-maintains a computer
Defragmentation Software - ANSWERS-reorganises data on the hard drive to put fragmented files back
together and moves files to collect all the free space
Backup Software - ANSWERS-Full Backup - a copy is taken from from every file on the system
Incremental Backup - only files created or edited since last backup are copied
Compression Software - ANSWERS-reduces file size so they take up less space on hard disk
Encryption Software - ANSWERS-scrambles data to stop others from accessing it
Open Source Software - ANSWERS-source code is made freely available and users can modify it
and well verified ANSWERS 2026!!!
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - ANSWERS-Performs operations on data e.g. Addition, subtraction
Control Unit (CU) - ANSWERS-Coordinating activities of the CPU
Registers - ANSWERS-Quick, small stores of data within the CPU
Memory Address Register (MAR) - ANSWERS-Holds memory address for data or a instruction about to
be used by the CPU
Memory Data Register (MDR) - ANSWERS-Holds actual data or instruction
Accumulator - ANSWERS-Stores results of calculations in the ALU
Program Counter (PC) - ANSWERS-Holds memory address of the instruction for each cycle
Fetch - ANSWERS-The next instruction is retrieved by CPU from main memory
Decode - ANSWERS-The instruction is broken down and decided so computer can understand
Execute - ANSWERS-The CPU performs what the instructions told
Embedded System - ANSWERS-A computer system built within a large device e.g. Camera, washer, car
Volatile - ANSWERS-Memory loses its data when power of
Non-volatile - ANSWERS-Memory retains its data when power is lost
Random Access Memory (RAM) - ANSWERS-Read/write - function is to load open programs and
operating system data currently in use - volatile
Read Only Memory (ROM) - ANSWERS-Can only be read, can't be changed, stores essential programs to
be run in order to boot the computer - non-volatile
Cache - ANSWERS-A type memory that stores copies of frequently used data, much faster than RAM,
lower capacity - closer to CPU
Buses - ANSWERS-Collection of wires that carry signals between various components of the computer
system
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-How fast the computer does the FDE cycle
, virtual memory - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Solid state storage, non-volatile, more reliable/durable but can only be
overwritten a limited number of times
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) - ANSWERS-Handles graphics and image processing
Optical storage - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Hard drives
ADV: fast access, stores large amounts of data, low cost
DIS: not very portable, easily be broken
Solid State storage - ANSWERS-USB, flash memory, SD
ADV: fast, small, light, easily potable, quiet
DIS: more expensive, storage capacity less, limited number erase/write cycles
Cloud stotage - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-essential software that links the hardware and other software together
and generally manages the computer system
Command-line Interface - ANSWERS-Text commands where user has to type in command
Graphical User Interface (GUI) - ANSWERS-uses icons and other visual indicators to navigate and issue
commands
Utility Software - ANSWERS-maintains a computer
Defragmentation Software - ANSWERS-reorganises data on the hard drive to put fragmented files back
together and moves files to collect all the free space
Backup Software - ANSWERS-Full Backup - a copy is taken from from every file on the system
Incremental Backup - only files created or edited since last backup are copied
Compression Software - ANSWERS-reduces file size so they take up less space on hard disk
Encryption Software - ANSWERS-scrambles data to stop others from accessing it
Open Source Software - ANSWERS-source code is made freely available and users can modify it
