Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

3 questions · 5 marks

Pick again
Print
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).

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 so the data is sent at a steady speed instead of slowing down.

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.

3Describe2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Data is sent across the internet in packets.

Describe how a router uses an IP address to send a packet towards its destination.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Reads the destination IP address from the packet (1) to choose the next router/network on the path (1)
  • Uses a routing table that holds destination IP addresses/networks with the matching next hop (1) to forward the packet on the best/quickest route (1)
  • Forwards packets from one network to another (1) that is closer to the destination IP address (1)
  • Checks the destination IP address against its stored routes (1) so the packet is sent out towards the correct network (1)

Allow 'next hop' / 'next router on the route' / 'next network' / 'gateway' as equivalent wording for where the packet is sent next.

Do not accept answers that only say the router sends the packet to the destination.

Do not accept answers that say the router converts/changes the destination IP address into a MAC address and sends the packet straight to the destination, as no routing step is described.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router reads the destination IP address in the packet and uses it to forward the packet to the next router on the route.

Why: Linked point (1): reads the destination IP address; development (1): uses it to choose/forward to the next hop on the route.

Some marks1/2

It reads the destination IP address on the packet.

Why: Point only (1): reads the destination IP address; no linked development about forwarding to the next router/network.

No marks0/2

The router changes the destination IP address into a MAC address and sends it straight to the destination.

Why: No creditworthy point: it says the IP address is changed into a MAC address and the packet sent straight to the destination, which is neither reading the destination IP address to choose the next hop nor forwarding between networks. This is the answer excluded by the 'Do not accept' line.

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

Build a paper on this topic 24
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

Build a paper on this topic 36
E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

Build a paper on this topic 71
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

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.