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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 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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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 recall2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A company can choose between two wired connections. Connection B has a higher bandwidth than connection A.

Give two benefits to the company of choosing connection B.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Files/data download/upload more quickly (1)
  • More employees can use the connection at the same time without it slowing down (1)
  • Web pages/streamed video load more quickly with less buffering (1)
  • Video calls/conferencing run at a higher quality (1)
  • Updates/backups can be completed in less time (1)

Allow 'multiple users' or 'more devices' for the shared-use point

Allow 'video streams more quickly' or 'less buffering' on their own

Do not accept lower latency, as a higher bandwidth does not reduce latency

Do not accept 'more data can be transferred per second' or 'a bigger bandwidth', as these repeat what bandwidth is

Do not accept 'more reliable' on its own, as a higher bandwidth does not make a wired connection more reliable

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Files will download more quickly, and more employees can use the internet at the same time without the connection slowing down.

Why: Files download more quickly (1) and more users without slowdown (1).

Some marks1/2

Web pages will load faster and the connection will have a longer range.

Why: Web pages load faster (1); the range of a connection is not increased by bandwidth, so that point is not credited.

No marks0/2

The connection will be more reliable because it has a bigger bandwidth.

Why: 'More reliable' is not credited on its own and 'bigger bandwidth' repeats the question, so no marks.

3Explain2 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 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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