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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 · 4 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markLANs & WANs Swap Remove

Networks can be classified by the area they cover.

Identify the type of network that the internet is an example of.

[1 mark]
  • ALAN
  • BMAN
  • CPAN
  • DWAN
Mark scheme
  • D WAN (1)
  • The only correct answer is D. The correct answer is WAN (wide area network).
  • A is not correct because a LAN covers a small geographical area, such as one building
  • B is not correct because a MAN covers a city or large town
  • C is not correct because a PAN connects devices around one person, such as with Bluetooth
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

D WAN

Why: Correct option: the internet is the largest example of a WAN (1).

No marks0/1

B MAN

Why: Near-miss: a MAN covers a city or large town, not networks all over the world, so the mark scheme gives it 0.

No marks0/1

A LAN

Why: Misconception: the candidate treats the internet as a LAN because their home network is a LAN; the mark scheme says a LAN covers a small geographical area, so 0.

2Short recall1 markWired Connections Swap Remove

A school's computers are connected to the network using Ethernet cables.

Define the term 'latency'.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • A (time) delay between data/a signal being sent and being received (1)

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

Allow 'the time taken for data to arrive at its destination after it is sent'

Allow 'time lag/time delay'

Do not accept the amount of data that can be transferred per second (this is bandwidth)

Do not accept the speed of the connection/how fast data travels (this is speed, not latency)

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The time delay between data being sent and arriving at its destination.

Why: Gives a delay between data being sent and being received, which is the creditworthy point (1).

No marks0/1

How much data the cable can carry each second.

Why: Describes bandwidth, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no mark.

No marks0/1

How fast data travels along the Ethernet cable.

Why: Describes speed rather than a delay; the mark scheme does not accept 'how fast data travels', so no mark.

3Short recall2 marksCompression Swap Remove

Files can be compressed before they are stored.

Define the term lossless compression.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Reduces/makes the size of a file smaller (1)
  • No data is lost/removed (during compression) (1)
  • The original file/data can be recreated/restored exactly (1)

Allow 'the compressed file takes up less storage space' for the first mark.

The second and third bullets are two ways of making the same point: award a maximum of one mark for them, so a response that says no data is lost and that the original file can be restored, but does not say the file is smaller, scores one mark.

Do not accept descriptions of lossy compression, e.g. 'it removes data that is not needed to make the file smaller'.

Ignore reference to download/transmission times, bandwidth and streaming, as these are benefits of compression and not part of the definition.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Lossless compression reduces the size of a file without permanently removing any data, so the original file can be restored exactly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1) and no data is lost, so the original can be restored exactly (1); maximum of two marks reached.

Some marks1/2

It makes a file smaller so it downloads more quickly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); the faster download is ignored as a benefit, not part of the definition.

No marks0/2

It removes data that is not needed to make the file smaller.

Why: Describes lossy compression, which the do-not-accept line rules out, so the mention of making the file smaller is not credited.

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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