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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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1Multiple choice1 markPacket Switching Swap Remove

Identify the purpose of the packet number in a data packet.

[1 mark]
  • ATo check the packet for errors
  • BTo identify the destination device
  • CTo reassemble the packets in the correct order
  • DTo select the fastest route for the packet
Mark scheme
  • C To reassemble the packets in the correct order (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is To reassemble the packets in the correct order.
  • A is not correct because error checking uses the error checking data in the packet, not the packet number
  • B is not correct because the destination IP address identifies the destination device, not the packet number
  • D is not correct because routers use the destination IP address to choose the route, not the packet number; routers may briefly buffer packets but do not use the packet number to store them
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C To reassemble the packets in the correct order

Why: Selected the purpose of the packet number, which allows the packets to be reassembled in the correct order (1).

No marks0/1

D To select the fastest route for the packet

Why: A near miss: routers choose routes using the destination IP address, so this does not describe the purpose of the packet number.

No marks0/1

B To identify the destination device

Why: Misconception: the destination IP address identifies the destination device, not the packet number.

2Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A school laptop is shared by several teachers.

Describe the purpose of giving each teacher their own user account on the laptop.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each teacher can keep their own files/desktop separate (1) so other teachers cannot see or change their work (1)
  • Each teacher's work is saved under their own account (1) so they can find their files easily when they log in (1)
  • The operating system knows which teacher is logged in (1) so it can apply the right access rights to that person (1)
  • Each teacher can set up their own desktop/settings (1) so the laptop is set up the way they like to work (1)

Do not accept responses about the laptop running faster or having more storage because it has more accounts.

Do not accept 'so they can log in' without saying why having separate accounts helps.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each teacher's files are stored separately, so other teachers cannot open or change their work.

Why: Separate files for each account (1) and other teachers kept out of that work (1).

Some marks1/2

So that each teacher has their own files.

Why: First point of separate files per account (1), but no development of what this achieves (0).

No marks0/2

So the laptop runs faster because each teacher has their own account.

Why: Gives speed as a purpose of user accounts, which is not correct for user management; no creditworthy point.

3Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A device driver is software that allows the operating system to control a piece of hardware. Device drivers are often written in a low-level programming language.

Describe one reason why a low-level programming language is suitable for writing a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Instructions can manipulate/control the hardware/memory/registers directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it is written for (1)
  • The code is written for one specific processor/architecture (1) so it works with the exact hardware it will control (1)
  • The programmer controls exactly how memory/registers are used (1) so the code is efficient and needs little memory, which suits a device that has limited memory (1)
  • Each instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so the driver code is small enough to fit in the memory of the device (1)

Extra detail, such as naming the device the driver controls, is not needed to earn the marks.

Do not accept 'it is closer to machine code' on its own: it must be developed to show how this helps the driver, e.g. it can control the hardware directly.

Do not accept 'it is faster/quicker' with no link to the hardware/device, e.g. the device responds quickly.

Do not accept 'it is easier to learn', 'it is easier to debug' or 'it takes less time to write'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware and memory directly so the driver can control the specific device it was written for, such as a sound card.

Why: Point about direct control of hardware/memory (1) linked to controlling the specific device (1). The named device is extra detail and is not needed.

Some marks1/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware directly.

Why: Correct point (1) but no linked development saying how this helps the device driver.

No marks0/2

It is closer to machine code so it runs faster than a high-level language.

Why: 'Closer to machine code' is not developed into how this helps the driver, and 'runs faster' is not linked to the hardware/device, so no mark.

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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