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.

Practice paper

3 questions · 9 marks

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1Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

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.

3Discuss6 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

A dental practice has a network of computers used by receptionists, dentists and managers. Patient records are stored in shared folders and staff have different levels of access.

Discuss how the operating system's file management and user management support the dental practice.

Your answer should consider:

file management
user management

[6 marks]

Mark scheme

Indicative content

File management

The operating system organises the practice's patient records into folders, so staff can find a patient's record quickly during an appointment.
It carries out file operations such as saving, moving, renaming and deleting, so a dentist can save updated notes to the correct record.
It sets permissions on shared folders and files, so that only authorised staff, such as dentists, can open a patient's clinical records; this reduces the risk of confidential records being seen by the wrong staff.
It can give read-only access to some files, so receptionists can view appointment details but cannot change clinical notes.
It shows the size of files and the free space on the practice's shared storage, so managers can see when more storage is needed for records.

User management

The operating system creates a user account for each member of staff, with a username and password, so that each person has their own access to the system.
It allocates access rights to each account, so receptionists, dentists and managers each see only the folders and files their role needs.
It allows accounts to be grouped by role, so a new dentist can be given the same permissions as the existing dentists quickly instead of setting each one by hand.
It can require strong passwords, which makes it harder for one member of staff to log on using another person's account and open patient records.
It can disable or delete an account when a member of staff leaves, so that they can no longer open patient records.

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 both file management and user management and develop how each supports the practice, for example linking permissions to who can open patient records. Answers that only state basic, undeveloped points such as 'the operating system puts files in folders' or 'users have a username and password', with little reference to the practice, are limited to Level 1 (maximum 2 marks).

Do not accept backup, disk defragmentation or anti-malware software as operating system file management, or encryption, as these are outside the operating system's file management; they are utility software or security measures.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks6/6

The operating system's file management lets the practice keep each patient's records in folders, and it carries out the saving, moving and deleting of those files, so a dentist can add notes to the right record after an appointment. File management also sets permissions on the shared folders, so receptionists can be given read-only access to appointment details but cannot change clinical notes, while dentists have write access. This reduces the risk of confidential patient records being seen or changed by the wrong staff. User management supports this because the operating system gives every member of staff their own account with a username and password, so anything done to a record can be traced to the person who did it. Accounts can be grouped by role, so when the practice takes on a new dentist the account can be given the same rights as the other dentists quickly rather than setting each permission by hand. When a member of staff leaves, their account can be disabled so they can no longer open patient records. Together this means the practice can share records across reception, dentists and managers while each person only reaches what their role needs.

Why: Level 3: both file management (folders, saving, permissions, read-only access) and user management (accounts, grouping by role, disabling accounts) are covered and developed, with sustained reasoning linking them to the practice's shared records and staff access.

Some marks2/6

File management puts the patient records into folders so they can be found. User management gives each member of staff a username and password so they can log on to the computer.

Why: Level 1: two basic, independent points, one on each area, with little development and little application to how they support the practice, so it is capped by the Level 1 guidance at 2 marks.

Some marks1/6

File management is when the operating system backs up all the files every night. User management is when the computer has a username so it stops viruses.

Why: Level 1 (1 mark): backup is not accepted as operating system file management, but the basic point that a user account has a username is creditworthy; the claim that it stops viruses is not creditworthy.

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

2.2 Data representation

2.3 Data storage and compression

3.1 Hardware

3.2 Software

3.3 Programming languages

4.1 Networks

4.2 Network security

5.1 Environmental

5.2 Ethical and legal

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