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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 · 4 marks

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1Short recall1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use RAM to store the data and instructions that are in use.

Name the term used to describe memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Volatile (1)

Allow volatile memory / it is volatile.

Do not accept non-volatile, ROM, RAM or temporary/short term memory on their own, as these are not the term asked for.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Volatile

Why: Correct term for memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off (1).

No marks0/1

Temporary memory

Why: Describes what such memory does but is not the term asked for; 'temporary memory' is on the Do not accept line, so no mark.

No marks0/1

Non-volatile

Why: Non-volatile memory keeps its contents when the power is switched off, the opposite of what the question describes; it is explicitly not accepted.

2Short 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.

3Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A file is sent across the internet in packets.

Explain why packets from the same file may take different routes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each router chooses the best route at the time (1) so when a route becomes busy/congested or fails, later packets are forwarded along a different path (1)
  • Routers forward each packet separately (1) so the path a packet takes depends on the traffic conditions when that packet arrives (1)
  • A router may send a packet to a different next router (1) if its routing table shows a better/less congested route for that packet (1)
  • Traffic on the internet changes (1) so no single path is kept for the file and each packet can use whichever route is best when it is sent (1)

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

Allow reference to a routing table, or to how a router decides the route, as part of the linked reason.

Do not accept 'the packets have different IP addresses' because all packets from the same file have the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

Do not accept 'the internet is busy' or 'there is a lot of traffic' on its own without linking this to the router choosing a different route.

Do not accept 'different routers send the packets' on its own without a reason why a different router/route is chosen.

Do not accept an answer that only says the packets take different routes without explaining why.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each router chooses the best route at the time, so if one route becomes busy or fails, later packets are sent a different way.

Why: Linked point (1) that each router chooses the best route at the time and reason (1) that a busy or failed route means later packets take a different path.

Some marks1/2

Routers send packets along the least congested route.

Why: States that a router chooses the least congested route (1) but gives no linked reason why this makes the packets from the file take different routes.

No marks0/2

Because each packet is given a different IP address so they go to different places.

Why: Misconception named in the mark scheme: all packets from the same file share the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
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

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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