A Level Computer Science 9618, topic 4.1
Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture: past paper questions
14 Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 questions on Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture (4.1) from 13 papers, 2023 to 2025. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 14
- Papers
- 13
- Years
- 2023 to 2025
- Total marks
- 147
- Average per question
- 10.5 marks
- Largest question
- 16 marks
By type: Structured 14
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply4
- Analyse10
- Not banded0
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- describeApply11 questions
state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features
- explainAnalyse10 questions
set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- completeApply7 questions
add information to an incomplete diagram or table
- identifyRecall6 questions
name/select/recognise
- stateRecall4 questions
express in clear terms
- writeRecall2 questions
write an answer in a specific way
- drawApply1 question
draw a line to match a term with a description
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20256
- 20243
- 20235
By session
- May/June6
- Oct/Nov8
By paper
- Paper 114
Questions on this topic
Showing 14 of 14, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured7 marks
The processor uses several registers, including the Accumulator (ACC) and the Current Instruction Register (CIR). Complete the table by describing the role of each register.
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured16 marks
A computer system has a dual-core Central Processing Unit (CPU). State the purpose of the system clock and the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU.
- Try this questionQuestion 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured12 marks
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the basic Von Neumann model for a computer system contains several special purpose registers. The Memory Data Register (MDR), Index Register (IX) and the Accumulator (ACC) are examples of special purpose registers.
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks
State what is meant by relative addressing.
- Try this questionQuestion 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured4 marks
A computer designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system contains general purpose registers and special purpose registers. Describe the purpose of the Status Register (SR).
- Try this questionQuestion 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured13 marks
A computer system is designed using the basic Von Neumann model. Registers and buses are components in the Von Neumann model. Identify three other components in the Von Neumann model of a computer system.
- Try this questionQuestion 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured11 marks
The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and the Index Register (IX). <address> can be an absolute or symbolic address # denotes a denary number, e.g.
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured12 marks
A student has a computer. The computer is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Complete the table by describing the purpose of each of the given registers.
- Try this questionQuestion 6May/June 2023, paper 11Structured5 marks
An interrupt is generated when a key is pressed on a computer keyboard. Explain how the computer handles this interrupt.
- Try this questionQuestion 6May/June 2025, paper 11Structured14 marks
A programmer is buying a new computer.
- Try this questionQuestion 5May/June 2023, paper 12Structured15 marks
A student has purchased a new laptop. The laptop is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Identify two types of signal that a control bus can transfer.
- Try this questionQuestion 1May/June 2025, paper 12Structured9 marks
The table has six statements about the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Three of the statements are incorrect. Statement number | Statement 1 | The Program Counter (PC) stores the next instruction to be fetched from memory.
- Try this questionQuestion 7May/June 2023, paper 13Structured9 marks
A computer stores data in binary form. Draw one line from each description to its matching denary value.
- Try this questionQuestion 2May/June 2025, paper 13Structured10 marks
A computer has a processor. The processor has a Control Unit (CU) and system clock. Explain how the CU and the system clock work together.