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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 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).

2Short recall2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

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

Give two reasons why the wired connections give better network performance than the wireless connections.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Faster transmission speed (1)
  • Higher bandwidth (1)
  • Lower latency (1)
  • Not affected by interference (from other devices/walls) (1)
  • No blind spots/not affected by distance from the wireless access point (1)

Do not accept benefits of wireless connections, e.g. users can move around the building with their devices

Do not accept 'easier to set up' or 'does not need a password' as these are not about network performance

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The wired connection is not affected by interference from other devices, and it has a lower latency than Wi-Fi.

Why: Interference point (1) and lower latency point (1).

Some marks1/2

It has a faster transmission speed and the users can move around the building with their computers.

Why: Faster transmission speed (1); moving around is a benefit of wireless, so is not credited.

No marks0/2

It is easier to set up the network and the users do not need a password.

Why: Neither point is about network performance; the mark scheme does not accept 'easier to set up' or password points, so no marks.

3Explain2 marksTopologies Swap Remove

A bus topology uses one main cable shared by all devices.

Explain why a bus topology can be a security risk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • All devices receive every data packet (1) because the main cable is shared by all nodes (1)
  • Data can be read by any device on the network (1) because there is no central switch to send it only to the destination (1)
  • A device can intercept/capture data not meant for it (1) because all transmissions travel along the same cable (1)
  • Any device can view all data on the cable (1) so data is not private/secure (1)

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

Do not accept 'it is easy to hack' without saying data can be seen/intercepted on the shared cable.

Do not accept 'the central switch can be hacked' because a bus topology has no central switch.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Any device on the bus can see all the data because every packet travels along the same shared cable.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): data is visible to all devices because the cable is shared.

Some marks1/2

All devices can see the data.

Why: Awarded 1 mark for stating that all devices can see the data, but no linked reason about the shared cable is given.

No marks0/2

It is less secure because the central switch can be hacked.

Why: No credit: a bus topology has no central switch; the answer gives a misconception and no valid point about the shared cable.

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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