Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

4 questions · 7 marks

Pick again
Print
1Short 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.

2Explain2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

The ASCII code for the uppercase letter A is 65, which is stored as the 7-bit pattern 1000001.

Explain why the lowercase letter a is stored using a different 7-bit pattern.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The computer needs to tell/distinguish the uppercase A from the lowercase a (1) because each different character has its own unique 7-bit code/pattern (1)
  • A and a are different characters (1) so each needs a different 7-bit pattern to be stored and displayed correctly (1)
  • If A and a had the same 7-bit pattern (1) the computer could not tell which character to display (1)

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

Do not accept 'because they are different letters/cases' without saying they need different/unique codes or that the computer must tell them apart.

Do not accept 'because A is a capital letter' on its own.

Do not accept 'because the codes are different numbers' or '65 is not 97' without linking to the need to tell the characters apart or to unique codes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each character needs its own unique code, so the computer can tell that A and a are different characters and display the right one.

Why: Gives the point that the computer must tell A and a apart (1) and links it to the reason that each character needs its own unique code (1).

Some marks1/2

The computer must be able to tell the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters.

Why: Gives the point that the computer must tell the two characters apart (1) but gives no linked reason about unique codes or different 7-bit patterns.

No marks0/2

Because A is a capital letter and a is lowercase.

Why: Only states that the letters are different cases, which the mark scheme says is not accepted without saying they need unique codes or that the computer must tell them apart.

3Explain2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

ASCII uses a fixed number of bits to represent each character.

Explain one reason why ASCII uses 7 bits to represent each character.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 7 bits give 128 different codes/combinations (1) which is enough to represent all the characters on a keyboard (1)
  • 7 bits allow 128 unique characters (1) so uppercase and lowercase letters, digits and punctuation can all be represented (1)
  • 6 bits give only 64 combinations (1) which is not enough for the number of characters on a keyboard (1)
  • A keyboard needs to represent more than 64 different characters (1) so 7 bits are needed to give the 128 combinations required (1)
  • A fixed number of 7 bits gives 128 possible codes (1) which is enough for the characters ASCII represents, so more bits are not needed (1)

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

Do not accept 'because ASCII is 7-bit' or 'because 7 bits is enough' as these repeat the question without giving the number of combinations or saying what they allow.

Do not accept '7 bits give 256 characters'; 256 combinations come from 8 bits (extended ASCII).

Allow 'ASCII has 128 characters/codes' for the 128 point.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

7 bits give 128 different codes, which is enough for every letter, digit and punctuation symbol on a keyboard.

Why: Gives the point that 7 bits give 128 codes (1) and links it to the reason that this is enough for all the characters on a keyboard (1).

Some marks1/2

7 bits give 128 different combinations.

Why: Gives the point that 7 bits give 128 combinations (1) but does not say what this number of combinations allows, so the linked reason (1) is not earned.

No marks0/2

Because ASCII uses 7 bits so it can store 256 characters.

Why: Repeats the question and gives the wrong number of characters (256 is 8-bit extended ASCII), so there is no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer system uses a 4-bit code to represent the characters typed on its keyboard.

Explain one limitation of using 4 bits to represent characters.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Only 16 different characters can be represented (1) so there are not enough characters codes for every letter of the alphabet (1)
  • 4 bits give only 16 different combinations (1) which is not enough for the uppercase letters, lowercase letters, digits and symbols on a keyboard (1)
  • More than 16 characters are needed on a keyboard (1) so some letters, digits or symbols cannot be represented (1)
  • The number of character codes available is limited to 16 (1) because 4 bits give 2 to the power of 4 combinations (1)

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

Calculating that 4 bits give 2 to the power of 4 = 16 combinations can earn either the point or the linked reason, provided the other half of the answer says what this means (too few characters/codes).

Allow an expansion that names only the letters of the alphabet, e.g. there are not enough character codes for the 26 letters (1).

Do not accept '4 bits can only store 4 characters' (the number of bits is not the number of characters).

Do not accept 'it can only store 16 bits' (16 is the number of character codes/combinations, not the number of bits).

Do not accept 'not enough memory/storage' (the limitation is the number of character codes, not the amount of storage).

Do not accept 'it is limited/smaller' without saying how many characters/codes are available or what cannot be represented.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Only 16 different characters can be represented, so there are not enough character codes for all 26 letters.

Why: Gives the point that only 16 characters can be represented (1) and links it to the reason that this is fewer than the letters needed (1).

Some marks1/2

Only 16 different characters can be represented.

Why: Gives the point that only 16 characters can be represented (1) but does not explain what cannot be represented.

No marks0/2

It can only store 4 characters because there are 4 bits.

Why: Misconception that the number of bits equals the number of characters, which the mark scheme says not to accept; no creditworthy point.

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

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

Build a paper on this topic 71
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

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.