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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 · 4 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.

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.

3Short recall1 markWireless Connections Swap Remove

A wireless network has a fixed amount of bandwidth.

State what happens to the bandwidth available to each device as more devices connect to the network.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • It is shared between more devices, so each device gets less (bandwidth) (1)

Allow 'the bandwidth is divided/split between the devices'.

Allow 'there is less bandwidth for each device'.

Do not accept 'the speed decreases' / 'the connection slows down' on its own.

Do not accept 'the bandwidth decreases' unless it refers to the bandwidth available to each device.

Do not accept 'the bandwidth increases'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

It is shared between more devices, so each device gets less bandwidth.

Why: States that the bandwidth is shared between more devices and so each device gets less (1).

No marks0/1

The speed for each device decreases.

Why: Describes speed rather than bandwidth; this near-miss is ruled out by the 'Do not accept' line.

No marks0/1

The bandwidth increases because more devices are connected.

Why: Contradicts the correct answer; bandwidth is shared between the devices, it does not increase, so no mark.

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