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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 514 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 · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markWireless Connections Swap Remove

A wireless network can use the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band.

Identify the advantage of using the 5 GHz band instead of the 2.4 GHz band.

[1 mark]
  • AGreater range
  • BHigher data transfer speed
  • CMore able to pass through walls
  • DUses less bandwidth
Mark scheme
  • B Higher data transfer speed (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is higher data transfer speed.
  • A is not correct because the 2.4 GHz band has the greater range
  • C is not correct because the 2.4 GHz band passes through walls more easily
  • D is not correct because the 5 GHz band does not use less bandwidth
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B Higher data transfer speed

Why: Correct advantage: 5 GHz gives higher data transfer rates (1).

No marks0/1

A Greater range

Why: Greater range is a feature of the 2.4 GHz band, not an advantage of 5 GHz; no mark.

No marks0/1

C More able to pass through walls

Why: 5 GHz signals are less able to pass through walls than 2.4 GHz signals; no mark.

2Short recall2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

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

Give two reasons why the wired connections give better network performance than the wireless connections.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Faster transmission speed (1)
  • Higher bandwidth (1)
  • Lower latency (1)
  • Not affected by interference (from other devices/walls) (1)
  • No blind spots/not affected by distance from the wireless access point (1)

Do not accept benefits of wireless connections, e.g. users can move around the building with their devices

Do not accept 'easier to set up' or 'does not need a password' as these are not about network performance

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The wired connection is not affected by interference from other devices, and it has a lower latency than Wi-Fi.

Why: Interference point (1) and lower latency point (1).

Some marks1/2

It has a faster transmission speed and the users can move around the building with their computers.

Why: Faster transmission speed (1); moving around is a benefit of wireless, so is not credited.

No marks0/2

It is easier to set up the network and the users do not need a password.

Why: Neither point is about network performance; the mark scheme does not accept 'easier to set up' or password points, so no marks.

3Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A student plays an online game using a laptop connected to the school Wi-Fi.

Explain one reason why an online game can respond more slowly over a wireless connection than over a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Wireless signals can be blocked or absorbed by walls (1) so the data must be re-sent, which adds delay (1)
  • A device further from the access point has a weaker signal (1) so data must be re-sent/transmitted at a lower rate, adding delay (1)
  • Devices on a wireless network share a channel (1) so a device must wait its turn to transmit, which adds delay (1)
  • Interference from other devices affects the radio signal (1) so data must be re-sent, adding delay (1)

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

Allow 'waiting to send' or 'collisions' as the delay caused by devices sharing a channel.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower than wired' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept a reason that only affects download speed/bandwidth (e.g. 'files take longer to download') without a link to delay.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Interference from other devices affects the radio signal, so the data has to be re-sent and this adds delay before the player's action appears.

Why: Linked point (1): interference affects the signal; reason (1): re-sending the data adds delay (latency).

Some marks1/2

Walls can block the wireless signal.

Why: Point only (1): walls block the signal. No linked reason saying that this means data must be re-sent, which adds delay.

No marks0/2

Wireless has less bandwidth than wired, so a game update takes longer to download.

Why: Confuses latency with bandwidth/download speed; the mark scheme says not to accept this without a link to delay.

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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
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

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