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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 recall2 marksLANs & WANs Swap Remove

A school has computers in every classroom.

Define the term 'local area network (LAN)'.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A network that covers a small geographical area / is on a single site / is within one building (1)
  • (Two or more) computers/devices connected together (1)
  • So that the connected devices can share data/files/resources such as printers or an internet connection (1)
  • Uses cabling/infrastructure owned by the organisation (1)

Do not accept a network that covers a large geographical area / connects networks in different countries, as this describes a WAN.

Do not accept 'a network in a school' on its own, as this repeats the stem without a LAN feature such as a single site or connected devices.

Do not accept 'a network that connects to the internet' without a LAN feature such as a single site or connected devices.

Do not accept 'owned by one organisation' on its own, as a WAN can also be owned by one organisation.

Do not accept 'local' on its own without saying what it means.

The share mark needs the sharing to be linked to the connected devices/network, e.g. 'share files' or 'share printers'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A LAN is a group of computers connected together on one site, such as a school, so that they can share files and printers.

Why: Connected together (1) and single site (1); the sharing point is also made but the maximum is two marks.

Some marks1/2

A network that is in one building.

Why: Covers a single site/one building (1) but does not say that devices are connected together or what they share.

No marks0/2

A network that covers a large area and connects different countries.

Why: Describes a WAN, not a LAN, so no creditworthy LAN point is made.

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.

3Explain2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Routers forward data across the internet.

Explain how a router uses the destination IP address of a packet to send the packet towards its destination.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The router reads/checks the destination (IP) address in the packet (1) so it can forward/send the packet towards that address/destination (1)
  • The router looks up/compares the destination (IP) address (1) to choose the route/next network/next router for the packet (1)
  • The router uses the destination (IP) address to choose/select the outgoing connection/network (1) so the packet is sent one step closer to its destination (1)

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

Do not accept a restatement of the question, such as 'the router uses the IP address to forward the packet', without saying how the address is used, e.g. checking the destination address or choosing the route/next network.

Do not accept answers that say the router gives/adds an IP address to the packet, or that the router uses a MAC address instead of the destination IP address.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router checks the destination IP address in the packet and sends the packet out on the route/network that leads towards that address.

Why: Point (1): the router checks the destination IP address; linked reason (1): this is used to send the packet towards that destination.

Some marks1/2

The router checks the destination IP address in the packet.

Why: Point (1): the router checks the destination IP address; no linked reason is given, so only the first mark.

No marks0/2

It adds an IP address to the packet so the packet knows where to go.

Why: Misconception: the router does not add an IP address to the packet; the mark scheme says not to accept this, so no marks.

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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