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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 · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markSound Swap Remove

A sound wave is sampled and the amplitude of each sample is stored using 2 bits.

Identify the number of different amplitude values that can be stored for each sample.

[1 mark]
  • A2
  • B4
  • C8
  • D16
Mark scheme
  • B 4 (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is 4 (2 bits give 2^2 = 4 values).
  • A is not correct because 2 is the number of bits used to store each sample
  • C is not correct because 8 different amplitude values would need 3 bits
  • D is not correct because 16 different amplitude values would need 4 bits
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B 4

Why: Selects the only correct option (1).

No marks0/1

C 8

Why: Near miss: 8 values would need 3 bits, one more than this recording uses (0).

No marks0/1

A 2

Why: Typical misconception: 2 is the number of bits, not the number of amplitude values those bits can store (0).

2Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

3Short recall2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

Data storage is measured in binary multiples.

Define the term bit.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A binary digit (1)
  • Has the value 0 or 1 (1)
  • The smallest unit of data storage (1)
  • A single 0 or 1 (1)

Allow binary digit/binary place value for binary digit

Allow a single binary digit for a single 0 or 1

Do not accept a group of 8 bits/half a nibble of 4 bits, which describe a byte or a nibble

Do not accept a binary number/binary on its own

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A binary digit that can have the value 0 or 1.

Why: A binary digit (1) and has the value 0 or 1 (1).

Some marks1/2

It is the smallest unit of data storage.

Why: Smallest unit of data storage (1), but does not state that it is a binary digit or that it has the value 0 or 1.

No marks0/2

A group of 8 bits.

Why: Describes a byte, not a bit; no creditworthy point and named in the Do not accept line.

4Explain2 marksThe Internet Swap Remove

Routers on the internet choose a route for each packet.

Explain one benefit of a router being able to choose a different route for a packet.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data can avoid a busy/congested link (1) because the router can choose another path (1)
  • Data can still arrive if a link fails (1) because the router sends it another way (1)
  • Data can take the shortest/fastest path (1) because the router compares the routes and chooses the one with the fewest hops/least traffic (1)

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

Allow other valid benefits with a linked reason, e.g. traffic can be shared across routes/load balanced (1) because the router can send some packets by another path (1)

Do not accept 'the route is always the same' as this is not a benefit of choosing a route.

Do not accept 'routers are fast' or 'packets are sent faster' on its own: the reason must say how the route is chosen, e.g. avoiding congestion or using a routing table.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

If one route is busy, the data can still get there (1) because the router can choose a different path (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): a different path avoids the busy route.

Some marks1/2

It can choose the fastest route (1) because routers are quick (1).

Why: Point (1) for choosing the fastest route, but 'routers are quick' is a speed statement that does not say how the route is chosen, so it does not earn the second mark.

No marks0/2

It means more devices can connect to the internet.

Why: No link to choosing a route for a packet; does not answer the question.

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

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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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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