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Hardware and software: AQA A‑Level Computer Science questions

Every AQA A-Level Computer Science exam question on 4.6.1 Hardware and software, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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561 questions

  1. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 01.1: Figure 1 shows the classification of various types of software and some examples of these types. Figure 1 Complete Table 1 by naming the correct types of softwa

  2. Q01.2

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 01.2: One function of the operating system is to allocate I/O devices to competing processes. Describe two other functions of an operating system. [2 marks] Function

  3. Q06.1

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 06.1: Describe what is meant by the terms computer hardware and computer software. [2 marks] Computer hardware Computer software

  4. Q06.2

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 06.2: Describe the difference between system software and application software. [2 marks]

  5. Q05.1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 05.1: Shade one lozenge to indicate which of the following is an example of system software. [1 mark] A Computer game B Image editor C Programming language translator

  6. Q05.2

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 05.2: An operating system manages hardware resources, for example the I/O devices associated with a computer system. State two other examples of hardware resources th

  7. Q06.1

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 06.1: Libraries are a type of system software. Describe what libraries are and why programmers use them. [2 marks]

  8. Q08.2

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 08.2: One physical resource that the operating system manages is the processor. Name another physical resource that the operating system is responsible for managing.

  9. Q04.1

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.1: Define the term ‘system software’. [1 mark]

  10. Q04.2

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.2: The list below contains five types of software. Four of the types are examples of system software. Shade one lozenge to indicate which type of software is not s

  11. Q04.3

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.3: Describe two functions of an operating system. [2 marks] Function 1 Function 2

  12. Q06.1

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 06.1: Define the term ‘software’. [1 mark]

  13. Q06.2

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 06.2: Translators are one type of system software. Give two other types of system software. [2 marks] Type 1 Type 2

  14. Q13.1

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 13.1: Describe the difference between application software and system software. [2 marks]

  15. Q13.2

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 13.2: Utilities are a type of system software. Describe what utilities are and include an example of a utility in your answer. [2 marks]

  16. Q03.7

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.6.1 Hardware and software
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 03.7: Explain the relationship between hardware and software. [1 mark]
All 16 questions on Hardware and software, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.1 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows the classification of various types of software and some examples of these types. Figure 1 Complete Table 1 by naming the correct types of softwa
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): One function of the operating system is to allocate I/O devices to competing processes. Describe two other functions of an operating system. [2 marks] Function
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q06.1 (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the terms computer hardware and computer software. [2 marks] Computer hardware Computer software
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Describe the difference between system software and application software. [2 marks]
  5. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q05.1 (1 mark): Shade one lozenge to indicate which of the following is an example of system software. [1 mark] A Computer game B Image editor C Programming language translator
  6. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q05.2 (2 marks): An operating system manages hardware resources, for example the I/O devices associated with a computer system. State two other examples of hardware resources th
  7. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q06.1 (2 marks): Libraries are a type of system software. Describe what libraries are and why programmers use them. [2 marks]
  8. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q08.2 (1 mark): One physical resource that the operating system manages is the processor. Name another physical resource that the operating system is responsible for managing.
  9. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): Define the term ‘system software’. [1 mark]
  10. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): The list below contains five types of software. Four of the types are examples of system software. Shade one lozenge to indicate which type of software is not s
  11. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Describe two functions of an operating system. [2 marks] Function 1 Function 2
  12. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Define the term ‘software’. [1 mark]
  13. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Translators are one type of system software. Give two other types of system software. [2 marks] Type 1 Type 2
  14. November 2021, Paper 2, Q13.1 (2 marks): Describe the difference between application software and system software. [2 marks]
  15. November 2021, Paper 2, Q13.2 (2 marks): Utilities are a type of system software. Describe what utilities are and include an example of a utility in your answer. [2 marks]
  16. November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.7 (1 mark): Explain the relationship between hardware and software. [1 mark]

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