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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Short recall2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer uses a character set to represent text.

Define the term character set.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

  • A set/collection of characters (1)
  • (Characters such as) letters, digits and symbols/punctuation (1)
  • Each character is represented by a unique code/binary value (1)
  • A standard set of characters so that text can be exchanged between computer systems (1)

Allow 'a list of characters that a computer can represent' for the first mark.

Do not accept a program/software that converts text into binary.

Do not accept 'a set of binary codes' on its own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A set of characters, such as letters, digits and punctuation, where each character is represented by a unique binary code.

Why: Set/collection of characters with examples (1) and each character has a unique code (1).

Some marks1/2

A set of letters and symbols that a computer can use to represent text.

Why: Awarded for the set/collection of characters (1); no creditworthy point saying each character has its own unique code (0).

No marks0/2

A program that converts the keys pressed on a keyboard into binary.

Why: Describes software that converts text, not a set of characters; the Do not accept line applies.

2Describe2 marksSound Swap Remove

Each sample of a sound is stored as a binary number.

Describe how bit depth affects the stored value of a sound sample.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

  • The bit depth is the number of bits used to store each sample/measurement (1) so a higher bit depth gives more possible/discrete values for the amplitude (1)
  • A higher bit depth records the amplitude more accurately (1) because the stored value can be closer to the actual height of the wave (1)
  • A low bit depth gives fewer possible amplitude values (1) so the amplitude is rounded to the nearest value, making the recording less accurate (1)

Do not accept sample rate/sample interval (number of samples per second) in place of bit depth.

Do not accept 'more bits gives better quality' or 'more accurate' on its own, without a development linked to the number of values or the amplitude stored.

Do not accept file size on its own, and a file size point cannot earn the second mark, as it does not describe the stored value.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The bit depth is the number of bits used to store each sample, so a higher bit depth gives more possible values for the amplitude that can be stored.

Why: First point, the number of bits per sample (1), then the linked development, more possible values for the amplitude (1).

Some marks1/2

The bit depth is the number of bits used to store one sample.

Why: Gives the first point, the number of bits per sample (1), but does not develop how this affects the value that is stored.

No marks0/2

A higher bit depth makes the sound better quality and more accurate.

Why: Near-miss: 'better quality' and 'more accurate' on their own, with no development linked to the number of values or the amplitude, so no mark is awarded.

3Explain2 marksImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image uses a colour depth of 8 bits. Each pixel is stored as a binary value.

Explain how the colour of a pixel is represented in a bitmap image.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

  • Each pixel is stored as a binary value/code (1) which represents/maps to a colour (1)
  • The binary value is used to look up a colour in a palette (1) so the pixel can be displayed in that colour (1)
  • A bit pattern is assigned to each colour (1) and each pixel stores the bit pattern for its colour (1)
  • The number of bits per pixel sets how many different colour codes exist (1) so each code can represent a different colour (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept 'pixels are binary' or 'the image is made of 1s and 0s' without saying a pixel's colour is represented by a binary value.

Do not accept RGB values stored as denary or hexadecimal.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each pixel stores a binary value; this value is used to look up the pixel's colour in a palette.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): a binary value is stored for each pixel and maps to a colour.

Some marks1/2

A bit pattern is assigned to each colour.

Why: One mark for stating that colours have bit patterns; it does not say that each pixel stores the pattern for its colour.

No marks0/2

Each pixel stores the RGB colour as denary numbers between 0 and 255.

Why: Bitmap pixels are stored in binary, not as denary values; this common misconception earns no mark.

Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

Build a paper on this topic 58
Adding Binary Numbers 6 questions Binary and Hexadecimal Basics 10 questions Binary Shifts 6 questions Binary to Denary Conversion 6 questions Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Binary Conversion 6 questions Denary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Negative Binary Conversion 6 questions Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion 6 questions

2.2 Data representation

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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Embedded Systems 17 questions Fetch Decode Execute Cycle 15 questions Primary Memory 15 questions Secondary Memory 15 questions Stored Program Computers 15 questions

3.2 Software

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File Management 18 questions Memory Management 16 questions Peripheral Management 11 questions Process Management 12 questions Purpose & Function of Operating Systems 17 questions Software Basics 13 questions User Management 18 questions Utility Software 19 questions

3.3 Programming languages

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Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

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Addressing 16 questions LANs & WANs 16 questions Network Speed 5 questions Packet Switching 16 questions Protocols & Layers 17 questions The Internet 16 questions Topologies 17 questions Wired Connections 17 questions Wireless Connections 18 questions

4.2 Network security

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Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

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E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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