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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 659 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.

2Short recall2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A company can choose between two wired connections. Connection B has a higher bandwidth than connection A.

Give two benefits to the company of choosing connection B.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Files/data download/upload more quickly (1)
  • More employees can use the connection at the same time without it slowing down (1)
  • Web pages/streamed video load more quickly with less buffering (1)
  • Video calls/conferencing run at a higher quality (1)
  • Updates/backups can be completed in less time (1)

Allow 'multiple users' or 'more devices' for the shared-use point

Allow 'video streams more quickly' or 'less buffering' on their own

Do not accept lower latency, as a higher bandwidth does not reduce latency

Do not accept 'more data can be transferred per second' or 'a bigger bandwidth', as these repeat what bandwidth is

Do not accept 'more reliable' on its own, as a higher bandwidth does not make a wired connection more reliable

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Files will download more quickly, and more employees can use the internet at the same time without the connection slowing down.

Why: Files download more quickly (1) and more users without slowdown (1).

Some marks1/2

Web pages will load faster and the connection will have a longer range.

Why: Web pages load faster (1); the range of a connection is not increased by bandwidth, so that point is not credited.

No marks0/2

The connection will be more reliable because it has a bigger bandwidth.

Why: 'More reliable' is not credited on its own and 'bigger bandwidth' repeats the question, so no marks.

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.

4Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

An office wireless network is near a microwave oven and several other wireless networks.

Explain how interference can affect the speed of a wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The speed of data transfer is reduced/is slower (1) because interference corrupts the radio signal, so data/packets are lost and have to be resent/retransmitted (1)
  • The network speed is lower (1) because there is more noise on the wireless signal, so data is sent at a lower transmission rate (1)
  • The throughput of the wireless network is reduced (1) because time is used resending corrupted data/packets instead of sending new data (1)

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

Award 1 mark for a statement that the speed/transfer rate is reduced (e.g. slower, takes longer), even if no reason is given.

Do not accept 'interference damages/corrupts the radio signal' or 'the signal is weaker' on its own without a link to the speed.

Do not accept 'data is lost' on its own without saying how this reduces the speed.

Do not accept 'interference increases the bandwidth' or 'interference makes the signal stronger'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Interference corrupts the radio signal, so packets are lost and resent, which makes the data transfer slower.

Why: Linked point (1): data transfer is slower; reason (1): interference corrupts the signal so packets are lost and resent.

Some marks1/2

The speed of the wireless network will be lower.

Why: Point only (1): states the effect on speed. No linked reason why interference causes this.

No marks0/2

Interference increases the bandwidth, so the data travels faster.

Why: Misconception that interference increases bandwidth; the mark scheme says not to accept this.

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 12 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Malware 8 questions

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