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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.

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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

A digital sound representation is created by sampling an analogue sound wave.

State one way the accuracy of this representation can be increased.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • Increase the sample rate / take more samples per second (1)
  • Increase the bit depth/sample resolution / use more bits per sample (1)
  • Decrease the sample interval (1)

Do not accept increase the amplitude/volume

Do not accept decrease the sample rate / increase the sample interval

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Increase the sample rate.

Why: Creditworthy point: increase the sample rate (1).

No marks0/1

Decrease the sample rate.

Why: Near-miss: decreasing the sample rate reduces accuracy, so no mark; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this (0).

No marks0/1

Increase the volume of the sound.

Why: Misconception: loudness/amplitude is not a way to increase sampling accuracy; do not accept increase amplitude/volume (0).

2Describe2 marksImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image of a logo is stored in binary.

Describe how the pixels in the logo are represented in binary, and how the number of bits available for each pixel can limit the image.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each pixel is a single colour (1) that is stored/given as a binary value (1)
  • Each pixel is represented by a binary value (1) which gives/represents its colour (1)
  • The pixels are stored in order/rows (1) so the binary values can be read back to recreate the image (1)
  • Each pixel uses a fixed number of bits/colour depth (1) so only a limited number of colours can be represented (1)
  • The number of bits available for each pixel is fixed (1) so some colours cannot be stored/shown (1)

Allow '1s and 0s' for binary value.

For the first mark, accept a statement that a pixel is stored/represented by a binary value; do not award the first mark for 'grid of pixels' or 'a pixel is a single colour' alone unless it is linked to a binary value.

Do not accept 'a pixel is a small dot' alone.

Do not accept responses that only describe file size or resolution.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each pixel is a single colour and its colour is stored as a binary value. The number of bits for each pixel is fixed, so only a limited number of colours can be represented.

Why: Linked point (1) that each pixel is a single colour and development (1) that its colour is stored as a binary value; the colour-depth limitation is also creditworthy but the answer is capped at 2.

Some marks1/2

Each pixel is stored as a binary value.

Why: Point (1) that each pixel is stored as a binary value, but no linked development about the colour it represents.

No marks0/2

A bitmap image is made of lots of dots called pixels.

Why: No credit: 'a pixel is a small dot' alone is not accepted because it does not link a pixel to a binary value.

3Explain2 marksImages Swap Remove

Two versions of the same bitmap image are saved. The second version has a higher colour depth.

Explain why the second version may have a larger file size.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More binary data is stored for each pixel (1) because a higher colour depth uses more bits per pixel (1)
  • Each pixel has a longer binary code (1) so more storage is needed to hold the image (1)
  • More colours can be represented (1) so more bits are needed for each pixel (1)
  • The file contains more bits in total (1) because colour depth is the number of bits per pixel (1)

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

Allow 'more bits per pixel' for one mark.

Do not accept 'more pixels' or 'higher resolution' as the reason, because changing colour depth does not change the number of pixels.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The second version stores more binary data for each pixel because a higher colour depth uses more bits per pixel.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): more data per pixel because more bits per pixel.

Some marks1/2

The second version uses more bits for each pixel.

Why: One mark for identifying that more bits are stored per pixel; no linked statement about more data or file size.

No marks0/2

The second version has more pixels, so there is more data to store.

Why: A common misconception; colour depth does not change the number of pixels, so no creditworthy point 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 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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