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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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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Short recall1 markAddressing Swap Remove

Devices are given IP addresses.

Define the term dynamic IP address.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • (An IP address that) can change / is not permanent (1)

Allow a changing IP address.

Allow a temporary IP address.

Allow it is assigned each time the device connects to the internet.

Do not accept an IP address that is assigned (automatically) by a router/DHCP without any idea that it can change.

Do not accept static IP address / fixed IP address / an IP address that never changes (this is a static IP address).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

An IP address that can change each time the device connects to the internet.

Why: States that the IP address can change (1).

No marks0/1

An IP address that is assigned automatically by a router.

Why: Describes assignment only; the mark scheme does not accept assignment without the idea that the address can change.

No marks0/1

An IP address that never changes.

Why: Confuses dynamic with static; the Do not accept line applies.

2Describe2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

An office has one wireless access point that employees connect their laptops to.

Describe how connecting more devices to the wireless access point can affect the speed and latency of the network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The bandwidth/capacity of the access point is shared between all the connected devices (1) so each device gets less bandwidth as more devices connect, which reduces the speed of data transfer (1)
  • The devices have to take turns to transmit (contention) (1) so each device waits longer before it can send data, which increases latency (1)
  • The access point can only support a maximum number of connections (1) so once this limit is reached, further devices cannot connect to the network (1)

Allow 'contention' as an alternative to devices having to take turns to transmit.

Allow 'the network becomes slower' as the second mark only where it is linked to shared bandwidth, to devices taking turns to transmit or to the maximum number of connections.

Do not accept a response that only states the network becomes slower, or that there are more devices/more traffic, without saying how this affects performance.

Do not accept responses about range or interference unless they are linked to the number of connected devices.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

All of the connected devices share the bandwidth of the access point, so as more devices are added each device gets less bandwidth and data is transferred more slowly.

Why: Shared bandwidth point (1) developed into the effect on the speed of data transfer (1).

Some marks1/2

The bandwidth of the access point has to be shared between all the devices that are connected to it.

Why: Correct point that bandwidth is shared (1), but there is no development saying how this affects the speed or latency, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

Each device gets its own bandwidth from the access point, so adding more devices does not change the speed.

Why: Misconception that bandwidth is not shared, so no creditworthy point is made.

3Explain2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Data is split into packets before it is sent over the internet.

Explain why each device that receives packets over the internet needs a unique IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data/packets are delivered to the correct/intended device (1) because the destination IP address identifies that device, so a duplicate address would mean packets could be delivered to the wrong device (1)
  • Replies are sent back to the device that requested the data (1) because the sender's IP address identifies that device, so a duplicate address would mean the reply could be sent to the wrong device (1)
  • The device can be identified separately from other devices (1) so packets are not delivered to a different device that has the same address (1)

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

Award one mark for a valid point and a second mark only for a linked reason explaining why a duplicate address would cause a problem.

Do not accept 'it is unique'/'it has its own address' as a point, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'so it can connect to the internet' or 'so it can be found' on its own without a link to data/packets being delivered to the correct device.

Allow 'data' for 'packets'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Packets are delivered to the correct device because the destination IP address identifies one device, so if two devices had the same address packets could be sent to the wrong one.

Why: Point that packets reach the correct device (1) and linked reason that a duplicate address would cause misdelivery (1).

Some marks1/2

Packets are sent to the correct device because it has its own IP address.

Why: Valid point that packets reach the correct device (1), but the reason only restates uniqueness and does not explain how a duplicate address would cause a problem, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

So that it can connect to the internet.

Why: No link to packets/data being delivered to the correct device; the mark scheme rejects a connection statement on its own.

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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