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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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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2 questions · 8 marks

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1Explain2 marksTopologies Swap Remove

A small office uses a star topology with a central switch.

Explain one benefit of using a star topology in the office.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • If one cable/device fails, the other devices on the network are not affected (1) because each device has its own separate connection to the central switch (1)
  • Faults are easier to find (1) because each device has its own cable, so the faulty cable can be checked on its own (1)
  • Data is sent only to the intended device (1) because the central switch forwards the data only to the device it is addressed to (1)
  • Data transfer is fast (1) because each device has its own cable, so devices do not share the cable with each other (1)
  • New devices can be added easily (1) because a device only needs one cable to a spare port on the central switch (1)

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

A benefit stated on its own can earn one mark; the second mark is only for a linked reason.

Accept 'switch' for the central device.

Do not accept 'server' or 'hub' for the central device.

Do not accept 'hub', as a hub sends data to all devices, not only to the intended device.

Do not award a mark for responses that say only that the network is better/more reliable/easier without naming a benefit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

If one of the cables breaks, the other devices can still communicate because each device has its own separate cable connected to the central switch.

Why: Linked benefit (1) and reason (1): a single cable failure does not affect the other devices because each device has a separate connection to the switch.

Some marks1/2

If one cable breaks, the other devices are not affected.

Why: A benefit is stated on its own (1), but there is no linked reason about each device having its own connection to the central switch, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It is better than a bus topology because every device connects to the central server.

Why: No credit: 'better' does not name a benefit, so no first mark, and 'server' is not accepted as the central device, so there is no linked reason either.

2Discuss6 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A company writes a photo editing program in a high-level language. The company will sell the finished program to customers. Each customer will install the program on their own computer and run it many times.

Discuss whether the company should use a compiler or an interpreter to translate the program before it is sold.

Your answer should include:

  • the output of each type of translator
  • whether the program has to be translated each time it is run
  • what the customer needs on their computer to run the program.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

The output of each type of translator

  • A compiler translates the whole program in one go and produces object code.
  • The object code is saved as an executable file, which is already in machine code so the processor can run it directly.
  • An interpreter does not produce object code, so no translated file exists for the company to save and sell.
  • An interpreter translates one line at a time and executes it immediately, but that translation is not kept.

Whether the program has to be translated each time it is run

  • Compiled code is translated once, so the executable can be run as many times as the customer likes without being translated again.
  • If the source code is edited, the whole program has to be compiled again to produce a new executable.
  • An interpreted program is translated again every time it is run, so a customer who runs the program often waits for translation at every run.
  • An executable runs faster than interpreted code because it is already in machine code.

What the customer needs on their computer to run the program

  • A customer who installs the executable needs no compiler on their computer, so the program will run straight away.
  • If the company supplied the source code instead, the customer would need an interpreter installed, and it would have to be an interpreter for their type of computer.
  • A customer given only the executable does not have the source code, so cannot change the program.

Conclusion

  • A compiler is the better choice for this company, because the executable can be sold and the customer runs it without it being translated again and without being given the source code.
  • Using an interpreter would mean supplying the source code to customers and translating the program on every run.

Levels

  • Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover all three bullets for this company's program, including translating once rather than on every run, and reach a conclusion.

Do not accept 'a compiler fixes errors' (a compiler reports syntax errors at the end of translation, it does not fix them) or 'a compiler is easier to use' with no link to output, translation or the customer. Do not accept answers about translating to assembly language.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The company should use a compiler. A compiler translates the whole program in one go and produces object code, which is saved as an executable file. This executable is already in machine code, so the customer's processor can run it directly. The program is translated only once, so a customer who runs the program many times does not wait for it to be translated again, and it runs faster than interpreted code would. An interpreter produces no object code, so the company would have nothing to sell as an executable. The customer would have to be given the source code and would need an interpreter installed on their computer, and the program would be translated again every time it was run.

Why: Level 3. Covers the output of both translators (executable from the compiler, no object code from the interpreter), the effect of translating once rather than on every run, and what the customer needs on their computer, all applied to the company selling the program, with a clear conclusion.

Some marks3/6

A compiler produces an executable file, which the company can save and sell to its customers. An interpreter does not produce an executable file, so the customer would need the source code and an interpreter installed on their computer to run the program. This means a compiler is better for the company, because customers can just run the file they are given.

Why: Level 2. Gives the output of both translators and links this to what the customer needs, with a conclusion, but never says the compiled program is translated once while an interpreted one is translated on every run, so the reasoning is not developed enough for Level 3.

No marks0/6

The company should use a compiler because it is easier to write programs with a compiler and it fixes the errors in the program before the customers get it.

Why: Level 0. No creditworthy point: 'easier to write programs' is not linked to the output, the translation each run or the customer, and 'fixes the errors' is a misconception, as the mark scheme's guidance says a compiler only reports errors at the end of translation.

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

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

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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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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