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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 markLANs & WANs Swap Remove

A school's computers are connected in a local area network (LAN). The internet connects computers across the world.

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

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • WAN/Wide Area Network (1)

Allow wide area network, WAN network, and minor spelling errors where the meaning is clear, e.g. 'wide area netowrk'.

Do not accept LAN/local area network.

Do not accept a description such as 'covers a large area' without naming WAN.

Do not accept 'the internet' or 'world wide web'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

WAN (wide area network)

Why: Correct type of network (1).

No marks0/1

A network that covers a large area.

Why: Describes a WAN but does not name the type; no mark.

No marks0/1

LAN (local area network)

Why: Names the wrong type of network; the internet is a WAN.

2Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Wireless networks have a limited range.

State two factors that can reduce the range of a wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Walls/obstacles between the device and the access point (1)
  • Interference from other electrical devices/other devices/other wireless networks (1)
  • Distance from the access point (1)
  • Using a higher frequency band (e.g. 5GHz) (1)
  • Low transmit power of the access point/device (1)

Allow thick walls/furniture for walls/obstacles

Do not accept using more bandwidth

Do not accept a weaker signal without a stated cause

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Walls can block the signal, and moving further from the access point reduces the range.

Why: Gives walls as an obstacle (1) and distance from the access point (1).

Some marks1/2

Interference from other devices.

Why: Gives one valid factor, interference from other devices (1), but no second factor.

No marks0/2

Using more bandwidth reduces the range.

Why: Bandwidth does not reduce range; this is a near-miss listed as Do not accept, so no mark.

3Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

The TCP/IP model has four layers.

Explain one function of the transport layer when a file is sent over a network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Splits the data/file into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1)
  • Adds a packet/sequence number to each packet (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order at the destination (1)
  • Detects lost/missing packets (1) so they can be requested/resent (1)
  • Creates a connection between the two computers/hosts (1) before the file is sent (1)

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

Allow 'segments' for 'packets' (TCP divides the data into segments, which become packets at the internet layer).

Do not accept 'sends the data/file' on its own without saying what the transport layer does to the data.

Do not accept naming TCP or a port number on its own without expansion.

Do not accept routing/addressing packets using IP addresses, which is the internet layer.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The transport layer splits the data into packets so each packet can be sent separately across the network.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): splitting into packets lets each one be sent separately.

Some marks1/2

It splits the data into packets.

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason given, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

It routes the packets using IP addresses so they reach the right destination.

Why: Routing using IP addresses is the internet layer, not the transport layer, so no credit is given.

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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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