Menu
Exam Questions

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 514 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

3 questions · 5 marks

Pick again
Print
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 marksSound Swap Remove

Each sample of a sound is stored as a binary number.

Describe how bit depth affects the stored value of a sound sample.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The bit depth is the number of bits used to store each sample/measurement (1) so a higher bit depth gives more possible/discrete values for the amplitude (1)
  • A higher bit depth records the amplitude more accurately (1) because the stored value can be closer to the actual height of the wave (1)
  • A low bit depth gives fewer possible amplitude values (1) so the amplitude is rounded to the nearest value, making the recording less accurate (1)

Do not accept sample rate/sample interval (number of samples per second) in place of bit depth.

Do not accept 'more bits gives better quality' or 'more accurate' on its own, without a development linked to the number of values or the amplitude stored.

Do not accept file size on its own, and a file size point cannot earn the second mark, as it does not describe the stored value.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The bit depth is the number of bits used to store each sample, so a higher bit depth gives more possible values for the amplitude that can be stored.

Why: First point, the number of bits per sample (1), then the linked development, more possible values for the amplitude (1).

Some marks1/2

The bit depth is the number of bits used to store one sample.

Why: Gives the first point, the number of bits per sample (1), but does not develop how this affects the value that is stored.

No marks0/2

A higher bit depth makes the sound better quality and more accurate.

Why: Near-miss: 'better quality' and 'more accurate' on their own, with no development linked to the number of values or the amplitude, so no mark is awarded.

3Explain2 marksImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image uses a colour depth of 8 bits. Each pixel is stored as a binary value.

Explain how the colour of a pixel is represented in a bitmap image.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each pixel is stored as a binary value/code (1) which represents/maps to a colour (1)
  • The binary value is used to look up a colour in a palette (1) so the pixel can be displayed in that colour (1)
  • A bit pattern is assigned to each colour (1) and each pixel stores the bit pattern for its colour (1)
  • The number of bits per pixel sets how many different colour codes exist (1) so each code can represent a different colour (1)

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

Do not accept 'pixels are binary' or 'the image is made of 1s and 0s' without saying a pixel's colour is represented by a binary value.

Do not accept RGB values stored as denary or hexadecimal.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each pixel stores a binary value (1); this value is used to look up the pixel's colour in a palette (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): a binary value is stored for each pixel and maps to a colour.

Some marks1/2

A bit pattern is assigned to each colour.

Why: One mark for stating that colours have bit patterns; it does not say that each pixel stores the pattern for its colour.

No marks0/2

Each pixel stores the RGB colour as denary numbers between 0 and 255.

Why: Bitmap pixels are stored in binary, not as denary values; this common misconception earns no mark.

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

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.