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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 · 7 marks

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1Short recall1 markWired Connections Swap Remove

Wired connections have characteristics that affect network performance.

State what is meant by the range of a wired network connection.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The maximum distance data/a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received (1)

Allow 'how far a signal can travel'.

Do not accept the number of devices that can be connected to the network.

Do not accept the speed at which data is transmitted.

Do not accept bandwidth/the maximum capacity of a channel.

Do not accept latency/the delay between a signal being sent and received.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received.

Why: Gives the maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak, which is the creditworthy point (1).

No marks0/1

The maximum capacity of the connection.

Why: This describes bandwidth, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

No marks0/1

The delay between a signal being sent and received.

Why: This describes latency/delay, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

2Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A file is sent across the internet in packets.

Explain why packets from the same file may take different routes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each router chooses the best route at the time (1) so when a route becomes busy/congested or fails, later packets are forwarded along a different path (1)
  • Routers forward each packet separately (1) so the path a packet takes depends on the traffic conditions when that packet arrives (1)
  • A router may send a packet to a different next router (1) if its routing table shows a better/less congested route for that packet (1)
  • Traffic on the internet changes (1) so no single path is kept for the file and each packet can use whichever route is best when it is sent (1)

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

Allow reference to a routing table, or to how a router decides the route, as part of the linked reason.

Do not accept 'the packets have different IP addresses' because all packets from the same file have the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

Do not accept 'the internet is busy' or 'there is a lot of traffic' on its own without linking this to the router choosing a different route.

Do not accept 'different routers send the packets' on its own without a reason why a different router/route is chosen.

Do not accept an answer that only says the packets take different routes without explaining why.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each router chooses the best route at the time, so if one route becomes busy or fails, later packets are sent a different way.

Why: Linked point (1) that each router chooses the best route at the time and reason (1) that a busy or failed route means later packets take a different path.

Some marks1/2

Routers send packets along the least congested route.

Why: States that a router chooses the least congested route (1) but gives no linked reason why this makes the packets from the file take different routes.

No marks0/2

Because each packet is given a different IP address so they go to different places.

Why: Misconception named in the mark scheme: all packets from the same file share the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

3Explain2 marksTopologies Swap Remove

A bus topology has a terminator at each end of its cable.

Explain why terminators are needed in a bus topology.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Terminators absorb the signal at the ends of the cable (1) so it is not reflected back along the bus (1)
  • Terminators prevent signals reflecting/bouncing back (1) so the reflected signal does not corrupt data on the cable (1)
  • Terminators absorb the signal (1) so it does not collide/interfere with data being sent by other devices (1)
  • Terminators stop the signal reflecting back down the cable (1) so data can be transmitted and received without errors (1)

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

Allow 'interfere'/'corrupt' only where the answer says the reflected signal mixes with/collides with data on the cable.

Do not accept 'to stop the signal' on its own, as stopping the signal is not the same as stopping it reflecting back along the cable.

Do not accept 'to terminate the cable/network', 'to end the cable' or 'to stop the cable breaking'.

Do not award responses that only repeat the stem, e.g. 'because there is a terminator at each end'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Terminators absorb the signal at each end of the cable so that it does not reflect back along the bus.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): absorbing the signal is linked to it not being reflected back along the bus.

Some marks1/2

Terminators absorb the signal at the ends of the cable.

Why: Awarded 1 mark for the point that the signal is absorbed, but no linked consequence is given.

No marks0/2

They terminate the network so the cable does not break.

Why: No credit: it does not say the signal is absorbed or that reflections are prevented, and the mark scheme rejects 'to terminate the network' and 'to stop the cable breaking'.

4Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A student plays an online game using a laptop connected to the school Wi-Fi.

Explain one reason why an online game can respond more slowly over a wireless connection than over a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Wireless signals can be blocked or absorbed by walls (1) so the data must be re-sent, which adds delay (1)
  • A device further from the access point has a weaker signal (1) so data must be re-sent/transmitted at a lower rate, adding delay (1)
  • Devices on a wireless network share a channel (1) so a device must wait its turn to transmit, which adds delay (1)
  • Interference from other devices affects the radio signal (1) so data must be re-sent, adding delay (1)

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

Allow 'waiting to send' or 'collisions' as the delay caused by devices sharing a channel.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower than wired' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept a reason that only affects download speed/bandwidth (e.g. 'files take longer to download') without a link to delay.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Interference from other devices affects the radio signal, so the data has to be re-sent and this adds delay before the player's action appears.

Why: Linked point (1): interference affects the signal; reason (1): re-sending the data adds delay (latency).

Some marks1/2

Walls can block the wireless signal.

Why: Point only (1): walls block the signal. No linked reason saying that this means data must be re-sent, which adds delay.

No marks0/2

Wireless has less bandwidth than wired, so a game update takes longer to download.

Why: Confuses latency with bandwidth/download speed; the mark scheme says not to accept this without a link to delay.

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 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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