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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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 · 8 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 recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Computers use the von Neumann stored program concept.

Define the term stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Program instructions are stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The data used by the program is stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The CPU fetches/reads instructions from main memory to execute them (1)
  • The program can be run without the instructions being input again (1)

Allow 'the program is stored in memory' for one mark.

Do not accept answers about programs being stored on secondary storage, such as a hard disk or USB memory stick.

Do not accept answers that only describe the von Neumann architecture (e.g. having a CPU and memory) without stating that instructions are stored in main memory.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Both the program instructions and the data the program uses are held in the same main memory, and the CPU fetches these instructions from memory to execute them.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1) and the CPU fetches instructions from memory to execute them (1).

Some marks1/2

Program instructions are stored in main memory.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1). No second point about data being stored in the same memory or about the CPU fetching instructions.

No marks0/2

The program is saved on the hard disk so that it can be loaded into RAM when the user runs it.

Why: A near-miss about secondary storage, which the mark scheme says not to accept; the stored program concept is about instructions being held in main memory.

3Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A programmer has written a program in assembly language.

Describe why it is necessary to translate the program into machine code before it can be run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The processor/CPU can only execute machine code/binary instructions (1) so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run (1)
  • Each assembly instruction/mnemonic matches/corresponds to one machine code instruction (1) so each line must be replaced with the machine code the processor executes (1)
  • The program is written using mnemonics (1) that must be translated into machine code for the processor to carry out the instructions (1)
  • The hardware/processor does not understand assembly language directly (1) so it must be translated into machine code that the processor can execute (1)

Do not accept 'assembly language is a low-level language'.

Do not accept 'it is hard to understand' or 'it is not English'.

Do not accept benefits, such as 'machine code runs faster' or 'the program will run more quickly'.

Do not accept 'an assembler/a translator converts it' on its own, with no reference to the processor only being able to execute machine code/binary.

Do not accept responses about high-level languages or about compilers/interpreters.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The processor can only execute machine code, so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run.

Why: States what the processor can execute (1) and links it to converting the program's instructions into machine code (1).

Some marks1/2

Each assembly instruction matches one machine code instruction.

Why: Correct point about the one-to-one match (1) but no development saying that this is because the processor only executes machine code.

No marks0/2

Because an assembler translates assembly language into machine code.

Why: Names the translator but gives no reason tied to the processor only being able to execute machine code, so no mark; this is in the 'Do not accept' guidance.

4Calculate3 marksAdding Binary Numbers Swap Remove

Binary patterns can represent numbers.

(a)

Complete the table to show the 8-bit result of the binary addition.

[2 marks]
1286432168421
11011011
11011100
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 1011 (1)
  • 0111 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Ignore a carry shown beyond the eighth bit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1011 0111

Why: 219 + 220 = 439, which needs 9 bits; the 8 bits that are kept are both correct (2).

Some marks1/2

0000 0111

Why: Forgets to carry the 1s. The second nibble is correct (1); the first is not.

No marks0/2

1101 1111

Why: Never carries. Neither nibble is correct.

(b)

State the name of the error that occurs when this addition is carried out.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • overflow (error) (1)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Overflow

Why: The result needs more bits than are available (1).

No marks0/1

Underflow

Why: A near miss: the result is too big for 8 bits, not too small.

No marks0/1

A syntax error

Why: A syntax error is a mistake in a program's code, not in arithmetic.

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

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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