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Structure and function of the processor: OCR A‑Level Computer Science questions

Every OCR A-Level Computer Science exam question on 1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor, 2021–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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593 questions

  1. Q1(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 1(a): Charlie’s computer contains a data bus, an address bus and a control bus. State the purpose of each of these three buses. Data bus Address bus Control bus [3]

  2. Q2(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    4 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 2(a)(i): Compare two differences between the Von Neumann architecture and the Harvard architecture. Difference 1 Difference 2 [4]

  3. Q2(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 2(a)(ii): OCR Consultants is considering using pipelining. State two benefits of using pipelining. Benefit 1 Benefit 2 [2]

  4. Q4

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    9 marks2.2.2 Computational methods1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 4: 4* A processor is being designed to use pipelining and will need to be able to process millions of instructions. For each instruction the following stages will

  5. Q1(a)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    4 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 1(a): State the name of each register in the table. Register A Register B Register C Register D [4]

  6. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 1(b)(i): The number of cores [1]

  7. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 1(b)(ii): The clock speed [1]

  8. Q1(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    4 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 1(a): Describe what happens during the fetch stage of the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. You should state the different registers and buses that are used in your answer.

  9. Q1(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 1(b): One of the instructions that may be fetched and executed as part of this cycle is a branch instruction. State the name of the register that would be altered in

  10. Q1(c)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 1(c): Three ways of improving the performance of a CPU are increasing the clock speed, adding more cores and using pipelining. Explain how pipelining improves the per

  11. Q1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    5 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 1: Here is a diagram of a computer system. Control Bus A Address Bus B D ALU RAM C CIR E +1 Control Unit CPU Identify each of the labelled components in this compu

  12. Q2

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    9 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 2: 2* Most modern computers are designed using Von Neumann Architecture. However, in some cases Harvard Architecture may be preferred. Discuss the difference betwe

  13. Q1(a)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    4 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 1(a): Describe two factors that affect the performance of the CPU. 1 2 [4]

  14. Q1(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(a)(i): Describe what is meant by the term ‘Von Neumann architecture’. [2]

  15. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(a)(ii): Give one way that the Harvard architecture differs from the Von Neumann architecture. [1]

  16. Q1(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(b): The charity is concerned that the performance of the computer is not sufficient and wishes to replace the processor. Give two features of a replacement processo

  17. Q1(c)(iii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    3 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(c)(iii): This program is run on a processor that allows pipelining. Define the term ‘pipelining’. [3]

  18. Q1(c)(iv)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(c)(iv): Explain one benefit to the charity of using a processor that allows pipelining. [2]

  19. Q1(d)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(d)(i): Describe how the accumulator is used during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. [2]

  20. Q1(d)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marks1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 1(d)(ii): Describe how the program counter is used during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. [2]
All 29 questions on Structure and function of the processor, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q1(a) (3 marks): Charlie’s computer contains a data bus, an address bus and a control bus. State the purpose of each of these three buses. Data bus Address bus Control bus [3]
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (4 marks): Compare two differences between the Von Neumann architecture and the Harvard architecture. Difference 1 Difference 2 [4]
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): OCR Consultants is considering using pipelining. State two benefits of using pipelining. Benefit 1 Benefit 2 [2]
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q4 (9 marks): 4* A processor is being designed to use pipelining and will need to be able to process millions of instructions. For each instruction the following stages will
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q1(a) (4 marks): State the name of each register in the table. Register A Register B Register C Register D [4]
  6. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): The number of cores [1]
  7. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): The clock speed [1]
  8. June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(a) (4 marks): Describe what happens during the fetch stage of the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. You should state the different registers and buses that are used in your answer.
  9. June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(b) (1 mark): One of the instructions that may be fetched and executed as part of this cycle is a branch instruction. State the name of the register that would be altered in
  10. June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(c) (3 marks): Three ways of improving the performance of a CPU are increasing the clock speed, adding more cores and using pipelining. Explain how pipelining improves the per
  11. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q1 (5 marks): Here is a diagram of a computer system. Control Bus A Address Bus B D ALU RAM C CIR E +1 Control Unit CPU Identify each of the labelled components in this compu
  12. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q2 (9 marks): 2* Most modern computers are designed using Von Neumann Architecture. However, in some cases Harvard Architecture may be preferred. Discuss the difference betwe
  13. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q1(a) (4 marks): Describe two factors that affect the performance of the CPU. 1 2 [4]
  14. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the term ‘Von Neumann architecture’. [2]
  15. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give one way that the Harvard architecture differs from the Von Neumann architecture. [1]
  16. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(b) (2 marks): The charity is concerned that the performance of the computer is not sufficient and wishes to replace the processor. Give two features of a replacement processo
  17. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(c)(iii) (3 marks): This program is run on a processor that allows pipelining. Define the term ‘pipelining’. [3]
  18. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(c)(iv) (2 marks): Explain one benefit to the charity of using a processor that allows pipelining. [2]
  19. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(d)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the accumulator is used during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. [2]
  20. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the program counter is used during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. [2]
  21. June 2022, Paper 1, Q1(d)(iii) (3 marks): State the name of three other registers that are used during the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle. 1 2 3 [3]
  22. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q1(d)(i) (2 marks): Describe the Harvard architecture. [2]
  23. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Arnold has a smart washing machine. Explain why the Harvard architecture is suitable for a device like this. [2]
  24. November 2021, Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): State two factors that affect the performance of a CPU. 1 2 [2]
  25. November 2021, Paper 1, Q1(b) (3 marks): The CPU uses pipelining to improve efficiency. Explain what is meant by the term ‘pipelining’. [3]
  26. November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): State what is meant by the term ‘register’. [2]
  27. November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the accumulator is used when the line BRP pos is executed. [2]
  28. November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(a) (4 marks): The processor’s pipeline consists of the following stages: • Fetching the instruction from memory • Decoding the instruction • Executing the instruction. Instru
  29. November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): Explain why pipelining can improve the performance of the processor. [2]

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