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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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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markAddressing Swap Remove

A packet of data is sent across the internet to a web server. The packet has a header that stores information about the packet.

Identify the information in the packet header that a router uses to forward the packet towards its destination.

[1 mark]
  • AThe destination domain name
  • BThe destination IP address
  • CThe MAC address of the sender
  • DThe name of the file being sent
Mark scheme
  • B The destination IP address (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is the destination IP address.
  • A is not correct because a domain name is converted to an IP address by a DNS server before routing begins
  • C is not correct because the sender's MAC address is only used to deliver the packet on the local network
  • D is not correct because the file name is not used to route packets
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B The destination IP address

Why: Correct option (1): a router reads the destination IP address in the header to forward the packet towards its destination.

No marks0/1

A The destination domain name

Why: A domain name is converted to an IP address by a DNS server before routing begins, so it is not the routing information in the header (mark scheme line A); no mark.

No marks0/1

C The MAC address of the sender

Why: The sender's MAC address is only used to deliver the packet on the local network, so it is not used by the router to forward the packet (mark scheme line C); no mark.

2Short recall1 markWired Connections Swap Remove

Wired connections have characteristics that affect network performance.

State what is meant by the range of a wired network connection.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The maximum distance data/a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received (1)

Allow 'how far a signal can travel'.

Do not accept the number of devices that can be connected to the network.

Do not accept the speed at which data is transmitted.

Do not accept bandwidth/the maximum capacity of a channel.

Do not accept latency/the delay between a signal being sent and received.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received.

Why: Gives the maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak, which is the creditworthy point (1).

No marks0/1

The maximum capacity of the connection.

Why: This describes bandwidth, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

No marks0/1

The delay between a signal being sent and received.

Why: This describes latency/delay, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

3Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Latency affects the performance of a network.

Define the term latency.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A delay/time/lag (1)
  • Between a signal/request being sent and a response/data being received (1)

Allow 'the time taken for data to travel from source to destination' for both marks.

Do not accept 'the speed at which data travels' / 'bandwidth' / 'the amount of data sent per second'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The delay between a signal being sent and a response being received.

Why: Gives the delay (1) and the time between sending and receiving (1).

Some marks1/2

The time taken for data to travel.

Why: Gives the idea of time taken (1) but does not say between sending and receiving (1).

No marks0/2

The speed at which data is sent over the network.

Why: Describes speed, not latency; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A router connects a home network to the internet.

Explain how a router uses the destination IP address in a packet header.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The router reads the destination IP address (1) so it knows which network/device the packet is for (1)
  • The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table (1) to find the next router/route for the packet (1)
  • The router forwards the packet to the next router (1) that leads towards that IP address / is on the best route (1)

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

Do not accept MAC address - routers use the IP address to route packets between networks.

Do not accept 'it finds the exact device' without saying how the router uses the address, e.g. routing table/next router.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table to find the next router to send the packet to.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): looks up the destination IP address in the routing table to find the next router.

Some marks1/2

It reads the destination IP address.

Why: Reads the destination IP address (1) but gives no linked reason about a routing table or next router.

No marks0/2

It reads the MAC address so it knows which computer sent the packet.

Why: Routers use the IP address to route packets, not the MAC address; 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

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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 18 questions

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