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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 reads email on a laptop. The emails are downloaded to the laptop and removed from the mail server.

Identify the email protocol being used.

[1 mark]
  • AFTP
  • BIMAP
  • CPOP3
  • DSMTP
Mark scheme
  • C POP3 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is POP3.
  • A is not correct because FTP is used to transfer files.
  • B is not correct because IMAP keeps emails on the server.
  • D is not correct because SMTP is used to send outgoing email between mail servers.
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C POP3

Why: POP3 downloads emails and removes them from the server (1).

No marks0/1

B IMAP

Why: IMAP keeps emails on the server, so it does not match the scenario where emails are removed from the server (0).

No marks0/1

D SMTP

Why: SMTP is used to send outgoing email, not to retrieve email (0).

2Describe2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A network can use wired connections or wireless connections.

Describe why a wireless connection can have a higher latency than a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Interference from other devices corrupts the wireless signal (1) so the data has to be resent, which increases the delay (1)
  • Devices on a wireless network take turns to use the same channel/frequency (1) so a device may have to wait for the channel to be free before it can transmit, which adds to the delay (1)
  • Data on a wireless connection must pass through the access point to reach the wired network (1) so the extra processing/conversion at the access point adds a delay (1)

Do not accept responses that only state that a wireless connection is slower/less reliable than a wired connection, without explaining how this adds latency.

Do not accept 'data is sent through the air' on its own, as this does not explain why latency is higher.

Do not accept responses about bandwidth or speed on their own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Interference from other devices can corrupt the wireless signal, so the data has to be resent, which increases the delay.

Why: Linked point: interference corrupts the signal (1), developed by the delay caused by resending the data (1).

Some marks1/2

Wireless signals can be corrupted by interference from other devices.

Why: The point that interference corrupts the wireless signal (1) is given, but there is no development of how this leads to a delay.

No marks0/2

Wireless is slower than a wired connection, so it has a higher latency.

Why: Only states that wireless is slower, without explaining how this adds latency, so it 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.

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

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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