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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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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

A user sends an email from a laptop to a mail server.

Identify the protocol used to send the email.

[1 mark]
  • AFTP
  • BHTTP
  • CSMTP
  • DTCP
Mark scheme
  • C SMTP (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is SMTP.
  • A is not correct because FTP is used to upload and download files
  • B is not correct because HTTP is used to request web pages
  • D is not correct because TCP is a transport-layer protocol that splits data into packets and reassembles them
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C SMTP

Why: Selected the correct email sending protocol (1).

No marks0/1

A FTP

Why: FTP is a file transfer protocol, not an email sending protocol, so no mark is awarded (0).

No marks0/1

B HTTP

Why: HTTP is used for requesting web pages, not for sending email, so no mark is awarded (0).

2Multiple choice1 markAddressing Swap Remove

Data is sent across the internet in packets.

Identify the device that uses IP addresses to forward packets from one network to another.

[1 mark]
  • AHub
  • BNetwork interface card
  • CRouter
  • DSwitch
Mark scheme
  • C Router (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is router.
  • A is not correct because a hub sends data to every device on the network
  • B is not correct because a network interface card connects a device to a network
  • D is not correct because a switch forwards data within a single network using MAC addresses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Router

Why: Correct option (1): a router uses IP addresses to forward packets between networks.

No marks0/1

D Switch

Why: A switch forwards data within one network using MAC addresses, not between networks (mark scheme line D), so no mark.

No marks0/1

A Hub

Why: A hub only sends data to every device on the network (mark scheme line A), so no mark.

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

Routers on the internet choose a route for each packet.

Explain one benefit of a router being able to choose a different route for a packet.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data can avoid a busy/congested link (1) because the router can choose another path (1)
  • Data can still arrive if a link fails (1) because the router sends it another way (1)
  • Data can take the shortest/fastest path (1) because the router compares the routes and chooses the one with the fewest hops/least traffic (1)

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

Allow other valid benefits with a linked reason, e.g. traffic can be shared across routes/load balanced (1) because the router can send some packets by another path (1)

Do not accept 'the route is always the same' as this is not a benefit of choosing a route.

Do not accept 'routers are fast' or 'packets are sent faster' on its own: the reason must say how the route is chosen, e.g. avoiding congestion or using a routing table.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

If one route is busy, the data can still get there because the router can choose a different path.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): a different path avoids the busy route.

Some marks1/2

It can choose the fastest route because routers are quick.

Why: Point (1) for choosing the fastest route, but 'routers are quick' is a speed statement that does not say how the route is chosen, so it does not earn the second mark.

No marks0/2

It means more devices can connect to the internet.

Why: No link to choosing a route for a packet; does not answer the question.

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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