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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 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A family uses a wireless network at home.

Describe how interference can affect the performance of a wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Other electrical/radio devices nearby (1) interfere with the wireless signal so data is corrupted (1)
  • Interference corrupts data (1) so the data has to be resent, which increases latency/slows the transfer (1)
  • Interference reduces the strength of the signal received (1) which lowers the data transfer rate the connection can support (1)
  • Interference makes the connection drop (1) so data transfer stops/devices have to reconnect (1)

Do not accept responses that only name a device (microwave, phone) without saying how it affects the network.

Do not accept responses that only state the network becomes slower without saying what causes the interference or how it affects the data.

Do not accept responses about wired connections or cables.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Other electrical devices nearby can interfere with the wireless signal and corrupt data, so the data has to be resent and transfers are slower.

Why: Linked point: other electrical devices interfere and corrupt data (1), developed by the data being resent, which slows the transfer (1).

Some marks1/2

Other electrical devices nearby can interfere with the wireless signal.

Why: Cause given: other electrical devices interfere with the signal (1), but no development of how this affects the data or performance.

No marks0/2

Interference happens when the wireless cable is damaged by other cables.

Why: Misconception about cables; the mark scheme does not accept responses about wired connections or cables.

2Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A file is sent across the internet in packets.

Explain why packets from the same file may take different routes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each router chooses the best route at the time (1) so when a route becomes busy/congested or fails, later packets are forwarded along a different path (1)
  • Routers forward each packet separately (1) so the path a packet takes depends on the traffic conditions when that packet arrives (1)
  • A router may send a packet to a different next router (1) if its routing table shows a better/less congested route for that packet (1)
  • Traffic on the internet changes (1) so no single path is kept for the file and each packet can use whichever route is best when it is sent (1)

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

Allow reference to a routing table, or to how a router decides the route, as part of the linked reason.

Do not accept 'the packets have different IP addresses' because all packets from the same file have the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

Do not accept 'the internet is busy' or 'there is a lot of traffic' on its own without linking this to the router choosing a different route.

Do not accept 'different routers send the packets' on its own without a reason why a different router/route is chosen.

Do not accept an answer that only says the packets take different routes without explaining why.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each router chooses the best route at the time, so if one route becomes busy or fails, later packets are sent a different way.

Why: Linked point (1) that each router chooses the best route at the time and reason (1) that a busy or failed route means later packets take a different path.

Some marks1/2

Routers send packets along the least congested route.

Why: States that a router chooses the least congested route (1) but gives no linked reason why this makes the packets from the file take different routes.

No marks0/2

Because each packet is given a different IP address so they go to different places.

Why: Misconception named in the mark scheme: all packets from the same file share the same destination IP address, even though their routes can differ.

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

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

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