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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.

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5 questions · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCompression Swap Remove

Identify one reason for using data compression.

[1 mark]
  • ATo increase the number of packets sent
  • BTo reduce the time taken to transmit a file
  • CTo improve the quality of the file
  • DTo make the file harder to open
Mark scheme
  • B To reduce the time taken to transmit a file (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is to reduce the time taken to transmit a file.
  • A is not correct because compression reduces file size, which can reduce the number of packets sent
  • C is not correct because lossy compression can reduce the quality of a file
  • D is not correct because encryption, not compression, can make a file harder to open
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B To reduce the time taken to transmit a file

Why: Correct option (1).

No marks0/1

A To increase the number of packets sent

Why: Near miss: compression reduces the number of packets sent, so no mark.

No marks0/1

C To improve the quality of the file

Why: Misconception that compression improves quality; no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markCompression Swap Remove

A student downloads a compressed music file and then decompresses it.

Identify what is meant by decompression.

[1 mark]
  • AData is encrypted so that it cannot be read
  • BData is permanently removed to reduce the file size
  • CData is restored to its original format
  • DData is stored using fewer bits
Mark scheme
  • C Data is restored to its original format (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is data is restored to its original format.
  • A is not correct because encryption changes data so that it cannot be read without a key; it does not restore the data
  • B is not correct because permanently removing data to reduce the file size is lossy compression, not decompression
  • D is not correct because storing data using fewer bits is compression, not decompression
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Data is restored to its original format

Why: Correct option (1).

No marks0/1

D Data is stored using fewer bits

Why: Near miss: this describes compression, not decompression.

No marks0/1

B Data is permanently removed to reduce the file size

Why: Misconception: this describes lossy compression, not decompression.

3Multiple choice1 markUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A computer stores data in binary.

Identify the number of bits in one kibibyte.

[1 mark]
  • A1024
  • B8000
  • C8192
  • D8 388 608
Mark scheme
  • C 8192 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 8192.
  • A is not correct because 1024 is the number of bytes in a kibibyte
  • B is not correct because 8000 is the number of bits in 1000 bytes
  • D is not correct because 8 388 608 is the number of bits in a mebibyte
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 8192

Why: Correct: one kibibyte is 1024 bytes and 1024 × 8 = 8192 bits (1).

No marks0/1

A 1024

Why: Near miss: 1024 is the number of bytes in a kibibyte, not the number of bits (0).

No marks0/1

B 8000

Why: Typical misconception: uses 1000 bytes for a kibibyte, giving 1000 × 8 = 8000 bits (0).

4Short recall2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A solid state drive has a capacity of 5 gibibytes.

Give an expression to calculate the number of bits in 5 gibibytes. You do not need to do the calculation.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each of:

  • 5 × 1024^3 / 5 × 1024 × 1024 × 1024 / 5 × 2^30, for the number of bytes (1)
  • A fully correct expression with × 8 to convert bytes to bits, in any order, e.g. 5 × 1024^3 × 8, 8 × 5 × 2^30 (1)

Accept 5 × 1 073 741 824 × 8.

Accept 5 × 2^33 or 42 949 672 960 as a fully correct expression (2 marks).

Do not accept 5 × 1000^3 × 8, which uses decimal multiples.

Do not accept ÷ 8, which converts bits to bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

8 × 5 × 2^30

Why: 5 × 2^30 is the number of bytes (1) and × 8 converts bytes to bits (1).

Some marks1/2

5 × 2^30

Why: Correct number of bytes using the binary multiple 2^30 (1), but no conversion to bits.

No marks0/2

5 × 1000^3 × 8

Why: Uses decimal 1000^3 instead of binary 1024^3, so the expression is not fully correct; no creditworthy point.

5Describe2 marksCompression Swap Remove

A video streaming service stores many hours of video.

Describe one reason why the streaming service compresses its video files.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Makes each file smaller (1) so less secondary storage is needed for the videos (1)
  • Uses less bandwidth (1) so the video streams without buffering (1)
  • Reduces the amount of data sent (1) so users use less of their data allowance (1)
  • Can be streamed (1) because the data can be sent as fast as the user watches it (1)

Award one mark for a valid point on its own; the second mark is only awarded when the development is linked to that point.

Do not award a second mark for a development that repeats the point made.

Allow "takes less time to transmit/upload/download" as the development for a smaller file.

Do not accept responses that say compression saves memory/RAM (the videos are stored in secondary storage).

Do not accept compression makes the video more secure or improves its quality.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It makes each video file smaller (1) so the service needs less storage space for its library (1).

Why: Linked point: smaller file (1) and linked development: less storage needed (1).

Some marks1/2

It reduces the size of the video files.

Why: States that files are made smaller (1); no linked development is given, so the second mark is not awarded (0).

No marks0/2

It encrypts the video so it is safer to send.

Why: Gives security, which the mark scheme does not accept, not a reason for compression; 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

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