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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 recall2 marksCompression Swap Remove

Images and sound can be stored using lossy compression.

Define the term lossy compression.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Reduces the size of a file (1)
  • Permanently removes/loses some data (1)
  • The original file cannot be recreated/restored exactly (1)

Allow 'some data is deleted/discarded and cannot be recovered' for the second mark.

Do not award the first mark where the response also states that no data is lost.

Do not accept 'removes repeated data' (this describes lossless compression).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Lossy compression reduces the size of a file by permanently removing some data, so the original cannot be restored exactly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); permanently removes some data (1); maximum two marks awarded.

Some marks1/2

It makes a file smaller.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); no reference to data being permanently lost.

No marks0/2

It makes a file smaller without losing any of the data.

Why: States that no data is lost, which describes lossless compression; the first mark is not awarded.

2Short recall1 markUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A file has a size of 2 kibibytes.

State the number of bytes in the file.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 2048 (1)
  • 2 × 1024 (1)
  • 2^11 (1)

Allow 2048 bytes.

Do not accept 2000, which is the number of bytes in two decimal kilobytes.

Do not accept 1024, which is the number of bytes in one kibibyte.

Do not accept 16, which is the number of bits in two bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

2048

Why: 2048 is 2 × 1024, the number of bytes in 2 kibibytes (1).

No marks0/1

2000

Why: 2000 uses the decimal kilobyte, not the binary kibibyte; the mark scheme does not accept it.

No marks0/1

16

Why: 16 is the number of bits in two bytes, confusing bits with bytes; the mark scheme does not accept it.

3Explain2 marksCompression Swap Remove

A solicitor sends large documents to clients by email.

Explain one reason why the solicitor compresses the documents before sending them.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The file size is reduced (1) so the documents take less time to transmit/send (1)
  • The compressed files are smaller (1) so they are more likely to be within the email attachment size limit (1)
  • Less data is sent (1) so less bandwidth/data allowance is used (1)
  • Fewer packets are needed (1) so the documents are received more quickly (1)

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

Do not accept 'it saves storage space' on its own without linking to sending the documents.

Do not accept 'it makes the file smaller' as both the point and the reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The documents take up less space so they are quicker to send by email.

Why: File size reduced (1) and linked reason that transmission is quicker (1).

Some marks1/2

It makes the documents smaller.

Why: File size reduced (1) but no linked reason about sending or transmission.

No marks0/2

It reduces the amount of storage space the documents use on the client's computer.

Why: Storage space alone is not a reason for compressing before sending, so no linked explanation point is credited.

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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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