Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

3 questions · 5 marks

Pick again
Print
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.

2Describe2 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

A video production company stores large video files on a server. The server is connected to the office switch by an Ethernet cable with a bandwidth of 1 Gbps.

Describe how the bandwidth of this wired connection affects the performance of the network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Bandwidth is the maximum amount/capacity of data that can be carried each second (1) so a higher bandwidth lets editors open the large video files from the server in less time (1)
  • The bandwidth of the cable is set by the type/standard of cable used (1) so it limits how much of a large file can be sent in a given time (1)
  • A higher bandwidth means the cable can be shared between more transfers at the same time (1) so several editors can open files from the server at once without their transfers slowing down (1)
  • If the bandwidth is too low for the size of the files (1) the transfers take a long time and the editors have to wait for their files to open (1)

Allow 'capacity' for 'maximum amount of data'.

A description that only defines bandwidth earns a maximum of one mark.

Do not accept responses about the time a signal takes to travel (latency) or the distance a signal can reach (range).

Do not accept answers that say bandwidth is how fast the signal/data travels along the cable, that a higher bandwidth gives a faster internet connection, or that bandwidth is the number of cables in the network.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be carried along the cable each second, so a higher bandwidth means the editors can open the large video files from the server in less time.

Why: Point defining bandwidth as the maximum data per second (1) linked to the effect on opening the large files (1).

Some marks1/2

It is the amount of data that can be carried along the cable each second.

Why: Gives the first part of a linked pair (1) but does not develop it to say how performance is affected, so it is capped at one mark.

No marks0/2

A higher bandwidth means the signal travels faster along the cable, so the data reaches the server sooner and the delay is shorter.

Why: Treats bandwidth as transmission speed/latency, which the mark scheme says is not accepted, so no mark is earned.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

4.2 Network security

Build a paper on this topic 36
Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

Build a paper on this topic 36
E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

Build a paper on this topic 71
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.