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Data storage past paper questions

O Level Computer Science 2210 · Hardware. 1 Understand what is meant by primary storage 2 Understand what is meant by secondary storage 3 Describe the operation of magnetic, optical and solid-state (flash memory) storage and give examples of each 4 Describe what is meant by virtual memory, how it is created and used and why it is necessary 5 Understand what is meant by cloud storage 6 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of storing data on the cloud in comparison to storing it locally Primary storage is directly accessed by the CPU Including the role of: – random access memory (RAM) – read only memory (ROM) Including why a computer needs both RAM and ROM, and the difference between them Secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU and is necessary for more permanent storage of data Magnetic storage uses platters which are divided into tracks and sectors. Data is read and written using electromagnets. Including hard

It came up in 21 of 34 papers, for about 7 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Input and output devices, Computer architecture, Number systems, Types and methods of data transmission.

26 questions, newest first

1. 2210/12/O/N/25 Question 1 part (e(iv)) · 4 marks
2. 2210/12/O/N/25 Question 7 part (e) · 2 marks
3. 2210/13/O/N/25 Question 2 parts (c(ii)) (d) · 8 marks
4. 2210/11/M/J/25 Question 7 · 11 marks
5. 2210/12/M/J/25 Question 1 parts (a) (b) · 2 marks
6. 2210/12/O/N/24 Question 4 parts (c) (d(i)) (d(ii)) · 8 marks
7. 2210/13/O/N/24 Question 1 part (b) · 3 marks
8. 2210/11/M/J/24 Question 1 part (c) · 1 mark
9. 2210/11/M/J/24 Question 5 parts (a) (b) (c) · 7 marks
10. 2210/12/M/J/24 Question 9 · 8 marks
11. 2210/12/O/N/23 Question 13 · 7 marks
12. 2210/13/O/N/23 Question 6 · 7 marks
13. 2210/13/O/N/23 Question 9 · 9 marks
14. 2210/11/M/J/23 Question 3 · 4 marks
15. 2210/12/M/J/23 Question 4 parts (b(ii)) (b(iii)) · 3 marks
16. 2210/12/M/J/23 Question 10 part (b) · 1 mark
17. 2210/12/O/N/22 Question 3 · 5 marks
18. 2210/13/O/N/22 Question 4 part (b) · 2 marks
19. 2210/11/M/J/22 Question 2 part (a(i)) · 1 mark
20. 2210/11/M/J/22 Question 3 parts (a) (b) (c(i)) · 7 marks
21. 2210/12/M/J/22 Question 7 · 9 marks
22. 2210/11/M/J/21 Question 2 part (b) · 6 marks
23. 2210/12/M/J/21 Question 2 · 14 marks
24. 2210/13/O/N/20 Question 9 · 4 marks
25. 2210/11/M/J/20 Question 1 part (d) · 2 marks
26. 2210/12/M/J/20 Question 9 · 8 marks

More in Hardware: Computer architecture, Input and output devices, Network hardware.

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