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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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2 questions · 4 marks

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1Short 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.

2Explain2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A school connects its computers to the network using copper Ethernet cables.

A computer in a new classroom is 150 metres from the network switch. It is connected using a copper Ethernet cable, but the connection is unreliable.

Explain why the connection is unreliable.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A copper Ethernet cable has a standard maximum segment length of 100 metres (1) so over 150 metres the signal is too weak to be read correctly (1)
  • 150 metres is beyond the maximum range of a copper Ethernet cable (1) so the computer does not receive the data with enough signal strength (1)
  • The signal weakens/degrades as it travels along the cable (1) so at 150 metres the data is corrupted/lost (1)

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

Do not accept 'the cable is too long' on its own without saying that the signal weakens/does not reach the computer with enough strength.

Do not accept 'the signal is lost/weak' on its own without linking it to the distance being beyond the maximum range of copper cable.

Do not accept answers that only blame interference from walls or other devices, as the problem here is the distance.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A copper Ethernet cable has a standard maximum segment length of 100 metres. The classroom is 150 metres away, so the signal has become too weak to be read correctly, which makes the connection unreliable.

Why: States the cable is beyond its maximum range (1) and links this to the signal being too weak to be read (1).

Some marks1/2

Copper Ethernet cables can only carry data for 100 metres, which is less than 150 metres.

Why: Identifies that the cable run is beyond the maximum range (1) but does not say what happens to the signal as a result.

No marks0/2

There is interference from the walls of the classroom, which slows the signal down.

Why: Blames interference rather than distance, so there is no creditworthy point about range; the mark scheme does not accept interference as the explanation here.

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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