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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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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Describe2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A farm uses wired connections to link sensors in its fields to a computer in the farmhouse.

Describe how the range of a wired connection can affect the performance of this network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Twisted pair/copper) cable only carries data over a limited distance (about 100 metres) (1) so sensors further away need another switch/device to pass the data on to the farmhouse (1)
  • Fibre optic cable can carry data over much longer distances (1) so wired connections can reach sensors across the whole farm (1)
  • Data sent further than the cable's range is not received (1) so the computer in the farmhouse does not get readings from those sensors (1)
  • A wireless connection can reach sensors that are out of range of the cables (1) so a mix of the two can give readings across the whole site (1)

Allow responses about signal weakening/being lost over a long cable.

Do not accept responses about bandwidth or speed, as range is about distance, not the amount or rate of data.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Twisted pair copper cable only carries data for about 100 metres so a switch is needed in each field to pass the readings on to the farmhouse.

Why: Point that copper cable has a limited distance (1) linked to needing another device to extend the network (1).

Some marks1/2

Fibre optic cable can carry data much further than copper cable.

Why: Gives the first point of a linked pair (1) but does not develop it to say what this allows the farm to do.

No marks0/2

A longer cable gives the network a bigger bandwidth so the sensors work faster.

Why: About bandwidth and speed rather than range, which the mark scheme says is not accepted.

2Describe2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Data is sent across the internet in packets.

Describe how a router uses an IP address to send a packet towards its destination.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Reads the destination IP address from the packet (1) to choose the next router/network on the path (1)
  • Uses a routing table that holds destination IP addresses/networks with the matching next hop (1) to forward the packet on the best/quickest route (1)
  • Forwards packets from one network to another (1) that is closer to the destination IP address (1)
  • Checks the destination IP address against its stored routes (1) so the packet is sent out towards the correct network (1)

Allow 'next hop' / 'next router on the route' / 'next network' / 'gateway' as equivalent wording for where the packet is sent next.

Do not accept answers that only say the router sends the packet to the destination.

Do not accept answers that say the router converts/changes the destination IP address into a MAC address and sends the packet straight to the destination, as no routing step is described.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router reads the destination IP address in the packet and uses it to forward the packet to the next router on the route.

Why: Linked point (1): reads the destination IP address; development (1): uses it to choose/forward to the next hop on the route.

Some marks1/2

It reads the destination IP address on the packet.

Why: Point only (1): reads the destination IP address; no linked development about forwarding to the next router/network.

No marks0/2

The router changes the destination IP address into a MAC address and sends it straight to the destination.

Why: No creditworthy point: it says the IP address is changed into a MAC address and the packet sent straight to the destination, which is neither reading the destination IP address to choose the next hop nor forwarding between networks. This is the answer excluded by the 'Do not accept' line.

3Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A wireless access point has a limited bandwidth.

Explain why connecting more devices to the access point can reduce the speed each device gets.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (All) devices share the bandwidth of the access point (1) so each device gets a smaller share, which reduces its speed/slows down transfers (1)
  • Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred at one time (1) so when devices send more data than this, the data must wait/queue, which slows down transfers (1)
  • (Many) devices send data at the same time (1) so the devices take turns, which reduces the amount of data each one can send/the speed each device gets (1)

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

Allow 'connection speed'/'download speed' for speed.

Do not accept 'the signal is shared' without saying that this reduces the bandwidth/data each device can send.

Do not accept the idea that adding devices increases the bandwidth.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

All the devices share the access point's bandwidth, so each device gets less bandwidth and its downloads take longer.

Why: Linked point (1): bandwidth is shared; reason (1): each device gets a smaller share, which reduces its speed/slows transfers.

Some marks1/2

The bandwidth is shared between all the devices.

Why: Point only (1): the bandwidth is shared. No linked reason about each device getting less bandwidth or a reduced speed.

No marks0/2

Adding more devices increases the bandwidth, so the network can send more data.

Why: Misconception that adding devices 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 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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