Opening Paperstreak

O Level Computer Science past papers › Topics

Computer architecture past paper questions

O Level Computer Science 2210 · Hardware. 1 (a) Understand the role of the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer (b) Understand what is meant by a microprocessor 2 (a) Understand the purpose of the components in a CPU, in a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture (b) Describe the process of the fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle, including the role of each component in the process 3 Understand what is meant by a core, cache and clock in a CPU and explain how they can affect the performance of a CPU 4 Understand the purpose and use of an instruction set for a CPU 5 Describe the purpose and characteristics of an embedded system and identify devices in which they are commonly used The CPU processes instructions and data that are input into the computer so that the result can be output A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit on a single chip Including: – units: arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU) – re

It came up in 16 of 34 papers, for about 7 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Data storage, Input and output devices, Number systems.

21 questions, newest first

  1. 2210/12/O/N/25 Question 1 part (e(i)) · 1 mark
  2. 2210/12/O/N/25 Question 4 · 11 marks
  3. 2210/12/O/N/25 Question 7 part (d) · 2 marks
  4. 2210/13/O/N/25 Question 1 part (f) · 2 marks
  5. 2210/13/O/N/25 Question 2 parts (a) (b(i)) (b(ii)) (c(i)) · 6 marks
  6. 2210/11/M/J/25 Question 5 · 9 marks
  7. 2210/12/M/J/25 Question 4 · 8 marks
  8. 2210/12/O/N/24 Question 4 part (e) · 2 marks
  9. 2210/12/O/N/24 Question 6 · 6 marks
  10. 2210/13/O/N/24 Question 3 · 6 marks
  11. 2210/11/M/J/24 Question 5 part (d) · 4 marks
  12. 2210/12/M/J/24 Question 5 · 8 marks
  13. 2210/12/O/N/23 Question 3 · 6 marks
  14. 2210/12/O/N/23 Question 4 · 5 marks
  15. 2210/13/O/N/23 Question 3 · 7 marks
  16. 2210/12/O/N/22 Question 1 part (d) · 2 marks
  17. 2210/13/O/N/22 Question 7 · 7 marks
  18. 2210/11/M/J/22 Question 2 parts (a(ii)) (a(iii)) · 4 marks
  19. 2210/13/O/N/20 Question 2 · 5 marks
  20. 2210/11/M/J/20 Question 5 · 6 marks
  21. 2210/12/M/J/20 Question 1 · 6 marks

More in Hardware: Input and output devices, Data storage, Network hardware.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.