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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 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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5 questions · 9 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markPacket Switching Swap Remove

Identify what a router does with a data packet it receives.

[1 mark]
  • AGives the packet a number
  • BSends it on to the next router
  • CPuts the packets into order
  • DRebuilds the original file
Mark scheme
  • B Sends it on to the next router (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is sends it on to the next router.
  • A is not correct because a packet is given its number by the sending computer before it is sent
  • C is not correct because packets are put back into order by the receiving computer
  • D is not correct because the original file is rebuilt by the receiving computer once all the packets arrive
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B Sends it on to the next router

Why: Selected the action a router performs on a packet it receives (1).

No marks0/1

D Rebuilds the original file

Why: A near miss: rebuilding the file is a packet switching action, but it is done by the receiving computer, not by a router.

No marks0/1

A Gives the packet a number

Why: Misconception: packets are numbered by the sending computer, so a router does not add a packet number.

2Describe2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A school connects its desktop computers to the network using Ethernet cables.

Describe one way that using a wired connection can give a faster transfer of data than a wireless connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Ethernet) cables are not affected by interference from other devices (1) so data is transferred at a consistent/steady speed (1)
  • Each device has its own cable to the switch (1) so the full bandwidth is available to that device and speeds do not drop as more users join (1)
  • Fibre optic cable has a higher bandwidth than a wireless link (1) so more data can be sent along the cable each second (1)
  • The cable gives a direct/physical path to the switch (1) so data is less likely to be lost and resent, which would slow the transfer (1)

Do not accept responses about security, reliability or users being unable to move around, as these are not about speed.

Do not accept answers that only say a wired/cable connection is faster, or that fibre is faster, without saying why.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The cable is not affected by interference from other devices such as other networks or microwaves (1) so the data is sent at a steady speed instead of slowing down (1).

Why: Point that the cable is not affected by interference (1) linked to a consistent data transfer speed (1).

Some marks1/2

Ethernet cables are not affected by interference.

Why: Gives the first point of a linked pair (1) but does not develop it to say how this makes the transfer faster.

No marks0/2

A wired connection is faster because the data travels down a cable and not through the air.

Why: Repeats the question (wired is faster) with no reason, which the mark scheme's final line says is not accepted.

3Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A router connects a home network to the internet.

Explain how a router uses the destination IP address in a packet header.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The router reads the destination IP address (1) so it knows which network/device the packet is for (1)
  • The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table (1) to find the next router/route for the packet (1)
  • The router forwards the packet to the next router (1) that leads towards that IP address / is on the best route (1)

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

Do not accept MAC address - routers use the IP address to route packets between networks.

Do not accept 'it finds the exact device' without saying how the router uses the address, e.g. routing table/next router.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table to find the next router to send the packet to.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): looks up the destination IP address in the routing table to find the next router.

Some marks1/2

It reads the destination IP address.

Why: Reads the destination IP address (1) but gives no linked reason about a routing table or next router.

No marks0/2

It reads the MAC address so it knows which computer sent the packet.

Why: Routers use the IP address to route packets, not the MAC address; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksThe Internet Swap Remove

Each data packet has a header that contains the destination IP address.

Explain one reason why a data packet contains the destination IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Routers can forward the packet towards its destination (1) because they read the destination IP address in the packet header (1)
  • The packet is delivered to the correct device (1) because the receiving device compares the destination IP address with its own IP address (1)
  • Each packet can take a different route (1) because routers use the destination IP address to choose the next router (1)
  • The packet can be passed on by each router in turn (1) because the destination IP address shows which network the packet is for (1)

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

Statements such as 'so it reaches the right destination' or 'so routers know where to send it' earn the first mark only; do not award the second mark unless the reason says that the address is read from the packet header and used to forward the packet.

Do not accept 'so it knows where it came from' as this describes the source address, not the destination address.

Do not accept 'so it gets there faster' without a linked reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Routers know where to send it because they use the address in the packet header to choose the next network.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): routers read the destination IP address in the header to forward the packet.

Some marks1/2

So that it reaches the right destination because every packet has an address.

Why: First mark (1) for reaching the right destination, but the reason is circular and does not say the address is read and used to forward the packet.

No marks0/2

So the packet knows where it came from.

Why: Describes the source address, not the destination address; do not accept.

5Explain2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

Latency is the delay between data being sent and received. A player of online games uses a wired Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection.

Explain one reason why the wired connection can have a lower latency.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The cable provides a direct physical path to the switch/router (1) so data does not have to travel through the air where it can be delayed by obstacles such as walls (1)
  • The cable is not shared with other wireless devices (1) so data does not have to wait for a free channel before it is sent (1)
  • The data travels straight along the cable to the switch (1) so the time taken for it to reach its destination is short (1)

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

Do not accept 'the wired connection is faster' on its own without saying why the delay between sending and receiving is shorter.

Do not accept a definition of latency without a reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The cable gives the computer a direct physical path to the switch, so the data does not have to travel through the air where it could be delayed by obstacles.

Why: Gives the point of a direct physical path (1) and links it to data not being delayed by obstacles in the air (1).

Some marks1/2

The wired connection gives a direct path, so it is quicker.

Why: Gives the point about the direct path (1) but 'quicker' only restates lower latency and does not explain why the delay is shorter.

No marks0/2

Wired connections have lower latency because the internet speed is faster.

Why: Confuses speed with latency; no reason is given for a shorter delay, and 'faster' on its own is not accepted.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
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

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 45
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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