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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 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 recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The central processing unit (CPU) contains an arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

State two types of operation carried out by the ALU.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • An arithmetic operation, e.g. addition/subtraction/multiplication/division (1)
  • A logical operation, e.g. comparing two values (is A > B?) / using AND, OR, NOT (1)

Do not accept decoding instructions, fetching instructions or controlling the timing of the CPU, as these are carried out by the control unit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction, and logical operations such as comparing two values to see if one is greater than the other.

Why: Arithmetic operation (1) and logical operation (1).

Some marks1/2

It adds numbers together and works out the result.

Why: Arithmetic operation, addition (1). No logical operation.

No marks0/2

It decodes the instructions that have been fetched from main memory.

Why: Decoding and fetching are the control unit's role; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this.

3Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

File management is one function of an operating system.

Describe what the operating system does to the folder structure when a file is moved to a different folder.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Updates/changes the location/path stored for the file (1) so the file can be found in its new folder/location (1)
  • Removes the file's entry/reference from the old folder (1) so the file no longer appears/is listed there (1)
  • Adds/creates an entry/reference for the file in the new folder (1) so the file appears/is listed in its new location (1)
  • Updates the folder/directory listing/structure (1) to show the file's new location/path (1)

Do not accept descriptions of copying the file or leaving a duplicate in the old folder.

Do not accept deleting and recreating the file, or moving the file's data to a different physical location on the disk; the marks are for updating the folder/directory structure.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It updates the location stored for the file so the file can be found in its new folder.

Why: Linked point (1) and development/outcome (1).

Some marks1/2

It removes the file's entry from the old folder.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked development.

No marks0/2

It deletes the file from the old folder and saves it again in the new folder.

Why: Describes deleting and recreating the file, which the mark scheme does not accept.

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

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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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