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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

Data is broken into packets and sent across the internet.

Identify the device that forwards a packet towards its destination.

[1 mark]
  • AHub
  • BRouter
  • CServer
  • DSwitch
Mark scheme
  • B Router (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is Router.
  • A is not correct because a hub sends the data it receives to every device on the network
  • C is not correct because a server provides services, such as web pages, to client computers
  • D is not correct because a switch forwards data between the devices on one network
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B Router

Why: Selected the correct device: a router reads the destination IP address in each packet and forwards it towards its destination (1).

No marks0/1

D Switch

Why: A near miss: a switch forwards data between devices on one network, but it is a router that forwards packets between networks towards their destination, so no mark.

No marks0/1

A Hub

Why: Misconception from the examiners' reports: confusing LAN hardware with internet routing. A hub sends data to every device on the network and does not read IP addresses to forward packets, so no mark.

2Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Wireless connections use radio waves.

Give two reasons why a wireless connection can have a lower speed than a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Interference from other electrical/electronic devices (1)
  • Walls/obstacles block or weaken the signal (1)
  • The signal gets weaker the further a device is from the access point (1)
  • Other devices/networks use the same wireless channel/frequency (1)
  • A wireless channel has less bandwidth than a wired connection (1)

Do not accept 'higher latency', because latency is a delay and does not reduce the speed at which data is transferred.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower' / 'wired is faster' without a reason.

Do not accept 'radio waves are slower than signals in a cable' as they travel at the same speed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Other electrical devices can cause interference, and walls can block the signal.

Why: Gives interference (1) and walls blocking the signal (1).

Some marks1/2

Walls can block the wireless signal.

Why: Gives one valid reason, walls blocking the signal (1), but no second reason.

No marks0/2

Wireless is slower because it has a higher latency, so the data takes longer to arrive.

Why: Confuses latency (a delay) with speed; 'higher latency' is not accepted and no other creditworthy reason is given.

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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