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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 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 · 8 marks

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1Describe2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

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

Describe one way that using a wired connection can give a faster transfer of data than a wireless connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Ethernet) cables are not affected by interference from other devices (1) so data is transferred at a consistent/steady speed (1)
  • Each device has its own cable to the switch (1) so the full bandwidth is available to that device and speeds do not drop as more users join (1)
  • Fibre optic cable has a higher bandwidth than a wireless link (1) so more data can be sent along the cable each second (1)
  • The cable gives a direct/physical path to the switch (1) so data is less likely to be lost and resent, which would slow the transfer (1)

Do not accept responses about security, reliability or users being unable to move around, as these are not about speed.

Do not accept answers that only say a wired/cable connection is faster, or that fibre is faster, without saying why.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The cable is not affected by interference from other devices such as other networks or microwaves so the data is sent at a steady speed instead of slowing down.

Why: Point that the cable is not affected by interference (1) linked to a consistent data transfer speed (1).

Some marks1/2

Ethernet cables are not affected by interference.

Why: Gives the first point of a linked pair (1) but does not develop it to say how this makes the transfer faster.

No marks0/2

A wired connection is faster because the data travels down a cable and not through the air.

Why: Repeats the question (wired is faster) with no reason, which the mark scheme's final line says is not accepted.

2Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

Data is split into packets before it is sent across the internet.

Explain why each packet has a packet number in its header.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The receiver can put the packets back into the correct order (1) because packets may arrive out of order/take different routes (1)
  • The receiver can see if a packet is missing (1) because the sequence of numbers shows a gap (1)
  • The receiver knows when the whole file has arrived (1) because the total number of packets/last packet number is known (1)

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

Allow 'so the packets can be put back in the correct order/reassembled' for the first mark, but the second mark needs the reason, i.e. packets may arrive out of order/take different routes.

Do not accept 'so the packets can be identified' without stating what the number is used for, e.g. reordering or spotting a missing packet.

Do not accept 'so the router knows where to send it' - the router uses the destination IP address, not the packet number.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The receiver can put the packets back in the correct order because they may arrive out of order.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): the packet number allows reordering because packets can arrive out of order.

Some marks1/2

It shows the receiver the order of the packets.

Why: The point is given (1) but there is no linked reason, such as packets arriving out of order.

No marks0/2

So the router knows which route to use.

Why: Routers use the destination IP address, not the packet number, so this earns nothing; it is named in the mark scheme as a 'Do not accept'.

3Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

The TCP/IP model has four layers.

Explain one function of the transport layer when a file is sent over a network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Splits the data/file into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1)
  • Adds a packet/sequence number to each packet (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order at the destination (1)
  • Detects lost/missing packets (1) so they can be requested/resent (1)
  • Creates a connection between the two computers/hosts (1) before the file is sent (1)

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

Allow 'segments' for 'packets' (TCP divides the data into segments, which become packets at the internet layer).

Do not accept 'sends the data/file' on its own without saying what the transport layer does to the data.

Do not accept naming TCP or a port number on its own without expansion.

Do not accept routing/addressing packets using IP addresses, which is the internet layer.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The transport layer splits the data into packets so each packet can be sent separately across the network.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): splitting into packets lets each one be sent separately.

Some marks1/2

It splits the data into packets.

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason given, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

It routes the packets using IP addresses so they reach the right destination.

Why: Routing using IP addresses is the internet layer, not the transport layer, so no credit is given.

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

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

Build a paper on this topic 45
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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