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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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3 questions · 4 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image has a colour depth of 5 bits.

Identify the number of different colours that can be represented.

[1 mark]
  • A8
  • B16
  • C32
  • D64
Mark scheme
  • C 32 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 32.
  • A is not correct because 8 colours can be represented using 3 bits
  • B is not correct because 16 colours can be represented using 4 bits
  • D is not correct because 64 colours can be represented using 6 bits
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 32

Why: Correct option; 2^5 = 32 different colours (1).

No marks0/1

B 16

Why: A near miss: 16 colours would need 4 bits, not 5, so the mark scheme gives it no mark.

No marks0/1

D 64

Why: 64 colours would need 6 bits, not 5; no mark.

2Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

Digital sound is made up of samples.

Define the term 'bit depth'.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The number of bits used per sample (1)

Allow bits per sample

Allow the number of bits used to record/store each sample

Do not accept the number of samples taken per second (sample rate)

Do not accept the number of bits used to store the whole sound file

Do not accept the number of levels/amplitude values a sample can take

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The number of bits used to record each sample.

Why: States the number of bits per sample (1).

No marks0/1

The number of samples taken each second.

Why: Defines sample rate, not bit depth; do not accept.

No marks0/1

The number of amplitude values each sample can take.

Why: Gives the number of levels/amplitude values, not the number of bits per sample; do not accept.

3Describe2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A school needs to store text in several different languages.

Describe one limitation of using 7-bit ASCII to store this text.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 7-bit ASCII has only 128 different codes (1) so characters from languages such as Chinese cannot be stored (1)
  • 7 bits give 2^7 = 128 possible binary codes (1) so there are not enough codes to give every character in the world's languages its own code (1)
  • Only the 128 characters in the ASCII set can be stored (1) so a character outside the set, such as é or 中, cannot be represented (1)

The stated limit on its own (that ASCII can represent only 128 characters) earns 1 mark; the second mark is for linking it to characters from other languages not being storable.

Do not accept 'ASCII can only store English letters/characters' unless it refers to the 128 codes or the 7 bits.

Do not accept a statement that ASCII is 'limited' or 'old' with no link to the number of bits/codes.

Do not accept a recommendation to use Unicode instead, or that ASCII cannot store accented letters, without saying that the 7 bits/128 codes cause the limitation.

Do not accept responses that describe ASCII as a programming language.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

7-bit ASCII can only represent 128 characters, so it cannot store characters from languages such as Chinese.

Why: Only 128 characters/codes can be represented (1) and this is linked to characters from other languages not being storable (1).

Some marks1/2

ASCII only has 128 characters.

Why: States the limit set by the 7 bits, that only 128 characters can be represented (1), but does not link it to the text in several languages (0).

No marks0/2

ASCII can only store English letters, so the school should use Unicode to store accented letters like e with an accent.

Why: 'Only stores English letters' is not accepted without reference to the 128 codes/7 bits, and recommending Unicode is not a limitation caused by the number of available bits.

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

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

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