Described is a method and apparatus for processing tasks in a data processing system including a microprocessor and an instruction cache. Tasks of different types are defined in the system with each task type having code associated therewith. The tasks are managed in a queue and are processed in order by loading the associated code into the instruction cache for execution on the microprocessor. The method comprises the steps of scheduling tasks of like type into a batch such that tasks in a batch are processed before processing the next ordered task. In the case where the code associated with a batched task fits within the instruction cache, the tasks in a batch can be processed without incurring the penalty associated with instruction cache misses.