Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

4 questions · 6 marks

Pick again
Print
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 markImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image has a resolution.

State what is meant by the resolution of an image.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • The concentration/density of pixels in an area (1)
  • The number of pixels per inch (PPI) / pixels per unit area (1)
  • The width and height/dimensions of the image in pixels (1)

Do not accept the number of pixels in the image on its own, without dimensions or an area, e.g. 'the total number of pixels'

Do not accept colour depth / the number of bits used per pixel / the number of colours

Do not accept file size in bytes / the amount of storage the image uses / screen size / image quality

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The concentration of pixels in an area, such as the number of pixels per inch.

Why: Gives the density/concentration of pixels in an area, and pixels per inch (1)

No marks0/1

The number of pixels in the image.

Why: A bare total pixel count is not accepted without dimensions or an area

No marks0/1

The number of bits used to store each pixel's colour.

Why: Describes colour depth, not resolution, and colour depth is not accepted

3Describe2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer uses 7-bit ASCII to store text.

Describe why 7 bits are needed to represent each character, rather than 6 bits.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 6 bits give only 64 different codes (1) which is fewer than the number of letters, digits and symbols that must be represented (1)
  • 7 bits give 128 different codes (1) which is enough to represent every letter, digit and symbol that is needed (1)
  • Adding a bit doubles the number of different codes from 64 to 128 (1) so that every character needed can have its own code (1)
  • There are more than 64 characters that must be represented (letters, digits and symbols) (1) so 6 bits cannot give each one a different code (1)

A statement of the number of codes without a development can earn one mark only; the development must be linked to the statement for the second mark.

Do not accept responses that only say computers use binary (1s and 0s).

Do not accept that 7 bits are needed because 7 is a bigger number than 6, with no reference to the number of codes or characters.

Do not accept responses about 8 bits, extended ASCII or Unicode.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

6 bits can only give 64 different codes, which is not enough for all the letters, digits and symbols that have to be represented.

Why: Gives the number of codes 6 bits can make (1) linked to the number of characters that must be represented (1).

Some marks1/2

7 bits give 128 different codes.

Why: States the number of codes available from 7 bits (1) but gives no linked development, so the second mark is not earned (0).

No marks0/2

Because computers only use binary and 7 is a bigger number than 6.

Why: Says only that computers use binary and compares the numbers, which the mark scheme tells markers not to accept; no creditworthy point about codes or characters.

4Explain2 marksImages Swap Remove

Two versions of the same photograph are displayed at the same size on a screen. Version A is 800 × 600 pixels. Version B is 1600 × 1200 pixels.

Explain why Version B can show more detail.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Version B has more pixels in the same area (1) so each pixel represents a smaller part of the image (1)
  • Version B has a higher pixel density (1) so finer detail can be represented (1)
  • The pixels in Version B are smaller (1) so more detail can be captured in the same space (1)
  • Version B has a higher resolution (1) because there are more pixels per unit of area (1)

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

Do not accept 'more pixels' on its own without saying same area/pixel density/smaller pixels.

Do not accept higher colour depth or more colours.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Version B has more pixels in the same area so each pixel represents a smaller part of the image.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): more pixels in the same area means smaller pixels and more detail.

Some marks1/2

Version B has more pixels in the same area.

Why: One mark for the point about pixel density; the linked reason about smaller pixels or finer detail is missing.

No marks0/2

Version B has a higher colour depth, so it can display more colours.

Why: Colour depth is not the reason for more detail here; this is the common misconception that colour depth increases resolution.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

Build a paper on this topic 36
E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

Build a paper on this topic 71
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.