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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 687 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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4 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

Units of data storage can be binary or decimal.

Identify the unit of storage that is equivalent to 1024 gibibytes.

[1 mark]
  • AGibibyte
  • BMebibyte
  • CTebibyte
  • DTerabyte
Mark scheme
  • C Tebibyte (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is tebibyte.
  • A is not correct because a gibibyte is 1024 mebibytes
  • B is not correct because a mebibyte is 1024 kibibytes
  • D is not correct because a terabyte is 1000 gigabytes
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Tebibyte

Why: Correct: 1024 gibibytes make one tebibyte (1).

No marks0/1

A Gibibyte

Why: Near miss: a gibibyte is 1024 mebibytes, not 1024 gibibytes (0).

No marks0/1

D Terabyte

Why: Typical misconception: uses the decimal terabyte (1000 gigabytes) instead of the binary tebibyte (0).

2Multiple 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).

3Short 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.

4Short recall1 markCompression Swap Remove

A company backs up its files to an external hard drive.

Give one reason why the company compresses the files before backing them up.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • More files/data can be stored (in the same storage space) (1)
  • The files take up less storage space (1)
  • The backup is quicker/faster to complete (1)
  • Less data needs to be transferred to the backup device (1)

Do not accept 'makes the files more secure' or 'encrypts the files'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The compressed files take up less storage space, so more files can be backed up.

Why: The files take up less storage space (1).

No marks0/1

It reduces the amount of disk fragmentation.

Why: Near-miss: compression does not reduce disk fragmentation.

No marks0/1

It encrypts the files so they are safer if the drive is stolen.

Why: Misconception: compression does not encrypt files, and security is not accepted.

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 12 questions

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