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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 693 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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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Identify the term for the number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel.

[1 mark]
  • AColour depth
  • BImage size
  • CResolution
  • DStorage size
Mark scheme
  • A Colour depth (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is colour depth.
  • B is not correct because image size is the width and height of the image in pixels
  • C is not correct because resolution is the number of pixels per unit length, such as pixels per inch
  • D is not correct because storage size is the amount of storage the image file uses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Colour depth

Why: Correct option; colour depth is the number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel (1).

No marks0/1

B Image size

Why: Image size is the width and height of the image in pixels, not the number of bits used per pixel; no mark.

No marks0/1

D Storage size

Why: Storage size is the amount of storage the image file uses, not the colour depth; no mark.

2Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

A digital sound representation is created by sampling an analogue sound wave.

State one way the accuracy of this representation can be increased.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • Increase the sample rate / take more samples per second (1)
  • Increase the bit depth/sample resolution / use more bits per sample (1)
  • Decrease the sample interval (1)

Do not accept increase the amplitude/volume

Do not accept decrease the sample rate / increase the sample interval

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Increase the sample rate.

Why: Creditworthy point: increase the sample rate (1).

No marks0/1

Decrease the sample rate.

Why: Near-miss: decreasing the sample rate reduces accuracy, so no mark; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this (0).

No marks0/1

Increase the volume of the sound.

Why: Misconception: loudness/amplitude is not a way to increase sampling accuracy; do not accept increase amplitude/volume (0).

3Describe2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer uses 7-bit ASCII to represent characters.

The character M has the ASCII code 77. Describe how the character M is represented in the computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The denary code 77 is converted to binary (1) to give the 7-bit pattern 1001101 (1)
  • The character M is represented by a unique ASCII code/number (1) that is stored as a 7-bit binary pattern (1)
  • 7 bits are used to store the code for M (1) so 128 different characters can be represented (1)
  • The binary pattern 1001101 is stored in memory (1) using one 7-bit code for each character (1)

Do not accept answers that only state the ASCII code 77, as this is given in the question.

Do not accept 01001101, as this is an 8-bit pattern.

Do not accept ASCII described as a programming language or a method of encryption.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

77 is converted to binary, giving 1001101. This is stored using 7 bits for the character M.

Why: Linked description: converts the code to binary (1) to give the 7-bit pattern 1001101 (1).

Some marks1/2

77 is changed into binary so it can be stored.

Why: Gives the conversion of 77 to binary (1) but does not give the 7-bit pattern 1001101 (0).

No marks0/2

ASCII is a programming language that stores letters as numbers.

Why: Describes ASCII as a programming language, which the mark scheme says is not creditworthy; no linked description of how M is represented.

4Explain2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

Characters typed on a keyboard are stored using ASCII.

Explain how the computer encodes the letter A using ASCII.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The computer looks up the character in the ASCII character set/table (1) to find the code that represents it (1)
  • Each character has its own unique ASCII code (1) so the letter A is converted to and stored as a 7-bit binary pattern (1)
  • ASCII uses 7 bits for each character (1) so A is stored as its ASCII code 1000001 (binary) / 65 (denary) (1)

The second mark requires a linked expansion, so a point on its own (e.g. 'A has the code 65') can only earn one mark.

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

Accept an 8-bit pattern with a leading 0 (e.g. 01000001) as the binary code for A.

Do not accept 'the character is stored as text' without saying it is changed into a code/binary.

Do not accept a binary value on its own (e.g. 1000001) without saying that it is the ASCII code/that the character is converted to it.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The computer finds the unique ASCII code for A, which is 65 in denary, and stores it as the 7-bit binary pattern 1000001.

Why: Linked point that A is given its unique ASCII code (1) and reason/expansion that it is converted to and stored as a 7-bit binary pattern (1).

Some marks1/2

The computer changes the letter A into a number.

Why: Gives the point that the character is given a code/number (1) but no linked expansion saying it is converted to binary or stored, so stays on one mark.

No marks0/2

The letter A is stored as the number 1 because it is the first letter of the alphabet.

Why: Wrong reason and no creditworthy point: it does not say that the character is given its ASCII code and converted to binary.

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 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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