Processor Fundamentals: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 11Structured9 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX). instruction | explanation LDM #n | Immediate addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured4 marks

  The table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has one register, the Accumulator (ACC).

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 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 question
• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 13Structured9 marks

  A program is written in assembly language. Complete the table by writing the name of each mode of addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 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 question
• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Identify the purpose of the first pass of a two-pass assembler.

  Try this question
• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 33Structured8 marks

  The table shows assembly language instructions for a processor that has one register, the Accumulator (ACC).

  Try this question
• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks

  State what is meant by relative addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured8 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).

  Try this question
• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured6 marks

  Data in a computer system is represented in binary. Put one tick (✓) in each row to identify the minimum number of bits used to store each example of data.

  Try this question
• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured11 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). Instruction | Explanation Opcode | Operand | LDM | #n | Immediate addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 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 question
• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured6 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). | Instruction | | Explanation | |---|---|---| | Opcode | Operand | | | LDM | #n | Immediate addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Structured6 marks

  Convert the hexadecimal number 1FAB into denary. Working Denary value

  Try this question
• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 12Structured6 marks

  A program is written in assembly language. The program is converted into machine code by a two-pass assembler. Draw one or more lines to identify the pass or passes in which each action takes place.

  Try this question
• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 11Structured7 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX).

  Try this question
• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 12Structured6 marks

  Data in a computer is stored in binary form. State the number of unique binary values that can be represented in 16 bits.

  Try this question
• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 12Structured7 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX).

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 11Structured14 marks

  A programmer is buying a new computer.

  Try this question
• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 13Structured7 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX). Instruction Opcode | Operand | Explanation LDM | #n | Immediate addressing.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 11Structured7 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has two registers: the Accumulator (ACC) and an Index Register (IX). Trace the program currently in memory using the following trace table.

  Try this question
• Question 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 question
• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 12Structured8 marks

  The following table shows part of the instruction set for a processor. The processor has one register: the Accumulator (ACC). Instruction | Explanation Opcode | Operand | LDD | <address> | Direct addressing.

  Try this question