GCSE Computer Science OCR Component 01 - Computing Systems - Revision Checklist

Sep 5, 2026

OCR GCSE Computer Science revision checklist covering Component 01 Computing Systems and its key exam knowledge areas. Focus areas include systems architecture (fetch-execute cycle, CPU registers, von Neumann architecture, cache and CPU performance), memory and storage (RAM vs ROM, virtual memory, primary/secondary storage comparison and device selection by capacity, speed, portability, durability, reliability, cost), plus detailed binary representation for data, text, images, and sound. Includes guidance for targeted revision, Cornell notes, and using linked video topics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

OCR Component 01

Computing Systems

1.1 Systems Architecture

1.2 Memory and Storage

1.3 Computer Networks, connections and protocols

OCR GCSE Computer Science Revision Checklist OCR Component 01 Computing Systems 80 marks – 1 hour and 30 minutes, Written paper (no calculators allowed) 1.1 – Systems Architecture 1.2 – Memory and Storage 1.3 – Computer Networks, connections and protocols 1.4 – Network Security 1.5 – Systems Software 1.6 – Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental impacts of digital technology OCR Component 02 Computational Thinking, Algorithms & Programming 80 marks – 1 hour and 30 minutes, Written paper (no calculators allowed) 2.1 – Algorithms 2.2 – Programming fundamentals 2.3 – Producing Robust Programs 2.4 – Boolean Logic 2.5 – Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments & Facilities of Languages • Courtesy of CraigNDave this checklist can be used to focus your revision on certain topics. • All the topic areas above have a hyperlink to the YouTube CraigNDave videos. • Use your Cornell note book to write notes from the videos and your revision guide to answer past exam questions. 1.1 Systems Architecture | Specific knowledge required for GCSE Computer Science j277 | Need to Revise | Revised Once | Got it! | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The purpose of the CPU-The fetch-execute cycle | | | | | Von Neumann architecture: | | | | | MAR (Memory Address Register) | | | | | MDR (Memory Data Register) | | | | | Program Counter | | | | | Accumulator | | | | | Common CPU components and their function: | | | | | ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) & CU (Control Unit) | | | | | The purpose of each register, what it stores (data or address) | | | | | Cache | | | | | How common characteristics of CPUs affect their performance: | | | | | clock speed | | | | | cache size | | | | | number of cores | | | | | Embedded systems: | | | | | purpose of embedded systems | | | | | examples of embedded systems and their characteristics | | | | 1.2 Memory and Storage | Specific knowledge required for GCSE Computer Science j277 | Need to Revise | Revised Once | Got it! | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Primary Storage (memory) | | | | | The need for primary storage | | | | | The difference between RAM and ROM | | | | | The purpose of ROM and RAM in a computer system | | | | | Why virtual memory is needed in a system | | | | | Secondary storage | | | | | The need for secondary storage in computers | | | | | Compare the differences between each type of storage device | | | | | Be able to explain where different secondary storage is used | | | | | Common types of storage: | | | | | solid state, optical, magnetic | | | | | Suitable storage devices and storage media for a given application, and the advantages and disadvantages of these, using characteristics: | | | | | Capacity-which secondary storage has the most/ least? | | | | | Speed-which secondary storage is the fastest read/write? | | | | | Portability-which secondary storage is the lightest? Heaviest? | | | | | Durability-which secondary storage will last for the longest? | | | | | Reliability-which secondary storage is reliable? | | | | | Cost-which secondary storage is the cheapest per byte? | | | | 1.2 Memory and Storage | Specific knowledge required for GCSE Computer Science j277 | Need to Revise | Revised Once | Got it! | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Units: | | | | | bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte, petabyte | | | | | how data needs to be converted into a binary format to be processed by a computer | | | | | Numbers: | | | | | how to convert denary whole numbers (0–255) into 8 bit binary numbers and vice versa | | | | | how to add two 8 bit binary integers and explain overflow errors which may occur | | | | | Carry out Left and right binary shifts | | | | | how to convert positive denary whole numbers (0–255) into 2 digit hexadecimal numbers and vice versa | | | | | how to convert from binary to he

FAQs

What topics are covered in OCR GCSE Computer Science Component 01 Computing Systems?

Component 01 focuses on systems architecture, memory and storage, and computer networks, connections and protocols, including network security and related impacts.

How should the revision checklist be used to prepare for the exam?

Use the checklist to target specific topic areas, take Cornell notes from the linked videos, and use the revision guide to answer past exam questions.

What does the checklist include under memory and storage?

It covers primary vs secondary storage, RAM vs ROM, virtual memory, comparison of storage devices/media, and detailed units, data conversion, and representations for text, images, and sound.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair