OCR SUMMER 2026
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Computer Science
J277/01 Computer Systems
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Do not use:
• a calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 16 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
1 A toy store gives each of the toys it sells a unique code. The codes are 3-digit hexadecimal codes,
for example A4B.
A computer is used to store a database of the codes. The computer has 12-bit registers.
(a) Give the largest hexadecimal number that can be stored in a 12-bit register.
. ..............................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Give the largest denary number that can be stored in a 12-bit register.
. ..............................................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Two toys have the hexadecimal codes 429 and 1A3.
Convert the two hexadecimal codes to 12-bit binary numbers.
429 ............................................................................................................................................
1A3 ...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
Working space
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
(d) Two binary numbers that are stored in the registers are 100010100001 and 011100001011.
Convert the two binary numbers to hexadecimal numbers.
100010100001 ..........................................................................................................................
011100001011 ..........................................................................................................................
[2]
Working space
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
(e) The hexadecimal code for each toy is stored in a barcode that is displayed on each toy.
Each time a customer buys a toy, the barcode is scanned and the amount of stock stored in
the database for that toy is reduced by 1.
An item of hardware is used in this system to receive the hexadecimal code from the barcode
scanner and find it in the database. The item of hardware is built into a single chip.
(i) Identify the name of the item of hardware.
. .....................................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Tick (✓) one box to show whether a barcode scanner is a type of input, output, process
or storage device.
A input
B output
C process
D storage
[1]
(iii) The barcode scanner contains a sensor.
Identify the type of sensor that the barcode scanner could contain.
. .....................................................................................................................................................[1]
(iv) A backup of the database is made at the end of each day using optical storage.
Describe how the database is written to the optical storage.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
. .....................................................................................................................................................[4]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Computer Science
J277/01 Computer Systems
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Do not use:
• a calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 16 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
1 A toy store gives each of the toys it sells a unique code. The codes are 3-digit hexadecimal codes,
for example A4B.
A computer is used to store a database of the codes. The computer has 12-bit registers.
(a) Give the largest hexadecimal number that can be stored in a 12-bit register.
. ..............................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Give the largest denary number that can be stored in a 12-bit register.
. ..............................................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Two toys have the hexadecimal codes 429 and 1A3.
Convert the two hexadecimal codes to 12-bit binary numbers.
429 ............................................................................................................................................
1A3 ...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
Working space
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
(d) Two binary numbers that are stored in the registers are 100010100001 and 011100001011.
Convert the two binary numbers to hexadecimal numbers.
100010100001 ..........................................................................................................................
011100001011 ..........................................................................................................................
[2]
Working space
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
(e) The hexadecimal code for each toy is stored in a barcode that is displayed on each toy.
Each time a customer buys a toy, the barcode is scanned and the amount of stock stored in
the database for that toy is reduced by 1.
An item of hardware is used in this system to receive the hexadecimal code from the barcode
scanner and find it in the database. The item of hardware is built into a single chip.
(i) Identify the name of the item of hardware.
. .....................................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Tick (✓) one box to show whether a barcode scanner is a type of input, output, process
or storage device.
A input
B output
C process
D storage
[1]
(iii) The barcode scanner contains a sensor.
Identify the type of sensor that the barcode scanner could contain.
. .....................................................................................................................................................[1]
(iv) A backup of the database is made at the end of each day using optical storage.
Describe how the database is written to the optical storage.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
. .....................................................................................................................................................[4]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
