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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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4 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

RAM is the main memory of a computer.

Identify the effect on the contents of RAM when the computer is switched off.

[1 mark]
  • AThey are lost
  • BThey are stored permanently
  • CThey are saved to secondary storage
  • DThey are written to ROM
Mark scheme
  • A They are lost (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is They are lost
  • B is not correct because RAM is volatile and its contents are lost when the power is switched off, so they are not stored permanently
  • C is not correct because RAM is volatile and its contents are lost when the power is switched off, so they are not saved to secondary storage
  • D is not correct because ROM is read-only memory that holds the start-up instructions, so the contents of RAM are not written to it
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A They are lost

Why: Selected the correct option. RAM is volatile, so its contents are lost when the power is switched off (1).

No marks0/1

C They are saved to secondary storage

Why: Near miss: thinks RAM contents are automatically saved, but RAM is volatile and its contents are not saved to secondary storage (0).

No marks0/1

B They are stored permanently

Why: Misconception: thinks RAM is non-volatile and keeps data permanently, but RAM is volatile and loses its contents when the power is switched off (0).

2Multiple choice1 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

Characters are encoded using 7-bit ASCII.

Identify the number of different characters that can be represented using 7-bit ASCII.

[1 mark]
  • A64
  • B127
  • C128
  • D256
Mark scheme
  • C 128 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 128.
  • A is not correct because 6 bits give only 64 different combinations
  • B is not correct because 127 is the largest 7-bit value, not the number of characters that 7 bits can represent
  • D is not correct because 256 characters need 8 bits, as used by 8-bit extended ASCII
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 128

Why: Selects the only correct option (1): 7 bits give 2 to the power of 7, which is 128 different characters.

No marks0/1

D 256

Why: Near miss scoring 0: 256 is the number of characters that 8 bits give in extended ASCII, not 7-bit ASCII.

No marks0/1

B 127

Why: Misconception scoring 0, the off-by-one error the examiners' report describes: 127 is the largest 7-bit value, but 7 bits give 128 different characters.

3Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

4Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

A user saves a new file into a folder that already contains files.

Describe how the operating system prevents a new file overwriting an existing file.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Checks/compares the new file (name)/filename against the names of files already in the folder/directory (1) to see if the name is already in use (1)
  • Refuses to save/allow the new file when the (file) name already exists (1) so the existing file is not replaced/overwritten (1)
  • Prompts/asks the user to choose/enter a different (file) name (1) so both files can be saved without one replacing the other (1)

A point without a linked development can earn one mark.

For both marks, the development must follow/associate with the point.

Do not accept responses about defragmentation.

Do not accept the operating system making a backup copy, or warning the user that a file may be overwritten, without saying that the (file) name is checked or the new file is not saved.

Do not accept responses about process management or saving files to RAM.

Do not award a second mark for repeating the question, e.g. 'it stops the new file overwriting the existing file'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It checks the new file name against the names of files already in the folder (1) to see whether the name is already in use (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1).

Some marks1/2

It checks the file name against the names already in the folder.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) on its own; no linked development, so one mark.

No marks0/2

It defragments the disk so there is room for the new file.

Why: Defragmentation is not accepted by the mark scheme.

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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