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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 · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

Identify the device that is a general purpose computer.

[1 mark]
  • ADesktop computer
  • BMicrowave oven
  • CWashing machine
  • DTraffic light
Mark scheme
  • A Desktop computer (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Desktop computer.
  • B is not correct because a microwave oven uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function
  • C is not correct because a washing machine uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function
  • D is not correct because a traffic light uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Desktop computer

Why: Correct option: the question asks for the general purpose computer, and a desktop computer is general purpose; it does not use an embedded system to control a dedicated function (1).

No marks0/1

B Microwave oven

Why: Near miss: a microwave oven is the kind of device that uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function, so it is not a general purpose computer; mark scheme says B is not correct.

No marks0/1

C Washing machine

Why: Misconception: because a washing machine contains a computer, it must be a general purpose computer; it actually uses an embedded system built into it for a dedicated function, so no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Two images are displayed at the same physical size. Image A has a higher resolution than image B.

Identify what this means.

[1 mark]
  • AImage A has more bits per pixel
  • BImage A has more colours
  • CImage A has more pixels per inch
  • DImage A uses less storage
Mark scheme
  • C Image A has more pixels per inch (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is more pixels per inch.
  • A is not correct because bits per pixel is the colour depth
  • B is not correct because more colours is caused by a higher colour depth, not a higher resolution
  • D is not correct because a higher resolution usually needs more storage, not less
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Image A has more pixels per inch

Why: Correct option; resolution is the concentration of pixels, such as pixels per inch (1).

No marks0/1

B Image A has more colours

Why: More colours is an effect of colour depth, not resolution; no mark.

No marks0/1

A Image A has more bits per pixel

Why: Bits per pixel is the colour depth, not the resolution; no mark.

3Short recall3 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The CPU contains several components.

Name three components of the CPU.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Control unit / CU (1)
  • Arithmetic logic unit / ALU (1)
  • Register(s) (1)
  • Clock (1)

Do not accept main memory / RAM.

Do not accept cache.

Marks can be awarded in any order.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and registers.

Why: Names three creditworthy CPU components (control unit, ALU, registers), one mark each.

Some marks2/3

Control unit, clock and main memory.

Why: Control unit (1) and clock (1) are creditworthy; main memory is not a component of the CPU, a common misconception seen in the June 2023 question.

No marks0/3

Main memory, RAM and cache.

Why: None are CPU components named in the specification; candidates often confuse main memory with CPU components.

4Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

Email protocols are used when an email is sent and received.

Explain the role of SMTP when an email is sent.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Sends outgoing email from the client to the mail server (1) so it can be forwarded/relayed to the recipient's mail server (1)
  • Transfers email between mail servers (1) so it reaches the destination server (1)
  • Pushes/sends the email message (1) because it handles outgoing mail while POP3/IMAP handle incoming mail (1)

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

Do not accept receiving/downloading email or storing email on the server, which is POP3/IMAP.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

SMTP sends the email from the sender's computer to the mail server (1) so it can be forwarded on to the recipient's mail server (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): sends to the mail server so it can be forwarded.

Some marks1/2

SMTP is used to send emails (1).

Why: Role (1) identified, but no linked reason or expansion of what sending involves.

No marks0/2

SMTP downloads the email to the recipient's device (0) so they can read it.

Why: Downloading email is the role of POP3/IMAP, not SMTP, so no credit is given.

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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