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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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 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.

2Describe2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A student uses a graphics tablet connected to a computer to draw in a program.

Describe how the operating system passes input from the graphics tablet to the program.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system receives signals/data from the graphics tablet (1) and converts them into data the program can use/process (1)
  • The operating system receives data from the graphics tablet (1) and passes/forwards it to the program being used/the active program (1)
  • The tablet's device driver receives/interprets the signals/data from the tablet (1) so the operating system can pass the input to the program (1)
  • The operating system identifies the graphics tablet as the source of the input (1) so the data is sent to the correct program (1)

Accept 'signals' for 'data' throughout.

Accept reference to the device driver only where it is linked to receiving/interpreting the input (e.g. the driver receives the tablet's signals (1) so the OS can pass data to the program (1)).

Do not accept 'the operating system uses a driver' on its own, without saying what the driver does with the input.

Do not accept generic statements such as 'the operating system runs the tablet' as a description of how input is managed.

Do not accept responses that say the operating system creates/finishes the drawing, or that the tablet stores the input permanently.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system receives signals from the graphics tablet and passes the data to the program.

Why: Receives signals/data from the tablet (1) and passes the data to the active program (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system receives signals from the graphics tablet.

Why: Gives the first half of a linked description (1): it receives signals, but does not say what happens to the input.

No marks0/2

The operating system uses a device driver to control the graphics tablet and stores the input.

Why: Only says the OS uses a driver to control the tablet and that input is stored; it does not describe the driver receiving/interpreting the input or the input being passed to the program, so no linked point is credited. The mark scheme rejects 'uses a driver' on its own.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A compiler and an interpreter both translate source code.

Describe one difference between what a compiler produces and what an interpreter produces.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A compiler produces object code/machine code/an executable (file) (1) whereas an interpreter produces no object code/translated file (1)
  • A compiler produces a machine code file (1) that can be run on its own/without the compiler/translator being present (1)
  • An interpreter produces no object code/file (1) because it translates and executes each line instead of saving translated code (1)
  • The compiler's output can be saved/stored (1) and run again later, while interpreted code has to be translated again each time it is run (1)

Allow binary for machine code.

Allow executable/an executable for object code.

Do not accept responses about translating the whole program, reporting errors or the speed of execution.

Do not accept 'the interpreter translates/executes one line at a time' on its own: this is how it translates, not what it produces. It earns the development only when linked to no object code/translated file being produced.

Do not accept the interpreter producing object code/an executable.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler produces object code, which is saved as a file, whereas an interpreter does not produce a file because it translates and executes each line.

Why: Compiler produces object code (1) contrasted with the interpreter producing no object code/translated file (1).

Some marks1/2

The compiler produces machine code.

Why: Machine code/object code produced (1); there is no contrast with the interpreter, so the development is not earned.

No marks0/2

The interpreter produces object code for each line it translates.

Why: Reverses the translators' outputs: the interpreter produces no object code, so nothing is creditworthy.

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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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