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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 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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1Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Wireless connections use radio waves.

Give two reasons why a wireless connection can have a lower speed than a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Interference from other electrical/electronic devices (1)
  • Walls/obstacles block or weaken the signal (1)
  • The signal gets weaker the further a device is from the access point (1)
  • Other devices/networks use the same wireless channel/frequency (1)
  • A wireless channel has less bandwidth than a wired connection (1)

Do not accept 'higher latency', because latency is a delay and does not reduce the speed at which data is transferred.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower' / 'wired is faster' without a reason.

Do not accept 'radio waves are slower than signals in a cable' as they travel at the same speed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Other electrical devices can cause interference, and walls can block the signal.

Why: Gives interference (1) and walls blocking the signal (1).

Some marks1/2

Walls can block the wireless signal.

Why: Gives one valid reason, walls blocking the signal (1), but no second reason.

No marks0/2

Wireless is slower because it has a higher latency, so the data takes longer to arrive.

Why: Confuses latency (a delay) with speed; 'higher latency' is not accepted and no other creditworthy reason is given.

2Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

A router connects a home network to the internet.

Explain how a router uses the destination IP address in a packet header.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The router reads the destination IP address (1) so it knows which network/device the packet is for (1)
  • The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table (1) to find the next router/route for the packet (1)
  • The router forwards the packet to the next router (1) that leads towards that IP address / is on the best route (1)

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

Do not accept MAC address - routers use the IP address to route packets between networks.

Do not accept 'it finds the exact device' without saying how the router uses the address, e.g. routing table/next router.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The router looks up the destination IP address in its routing table to find the next router to send the packet to.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): looks up the destination IP address in the routing table to find the next router.

Some marks1/2

It reads the destination IP address.

Why: Reads the destination IP address (1) but gives no linked reason about a routing table or next router.

No marks0/2

It reads the MAC address so it knows which computer sent the packet.

Why: Routers use the IP address to route packets, not the MAC address; no creditworthy point.

3Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

A library has one wireless access point fixed at one end of the building.

Explain one effect of the range of the wireless access point on the performance of the wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Devices near the edge/limit of the range receive a weaker signal/lower signal strength (1) so data is transferred more slowly/the connection speed/bandwidth is lower (1)
  • Devices near the edge/limit of the range receive a weaker signal/lower signal strength (1) so latency increases (1)
  • Devices outside the range cannot connect to the access point (1) so users in that area cannot use the network/access its resources (1)
  • A device that moves out of range loses its connection (1) so the user's work is interrupted until it is back in range (1)

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

For the second mark, the reason must state the effect on the user/network (e.g. cannot use the network/access resources, slower speed, higher latency), not just repeat that the device is out of range.

Do not accept a definition of range on its own (e.g. 'range is how far the signal reaches') without an effect on performance.

Do not accept 'a larger range means more devices can connect' (range is not about the number of devices/capacity).

Do not accept range confused with bandwidth/speed, e.g. 'range is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A device at the edge of the range has a weak signal, so its connection speed is slower.

Why: Linked point (1): weak signal at the edge of the range; reason (1): connection speed is slower.

Some marks1/2

Devices outside the range cannot connect to the network.

Why: Point only (1): outside the range a device cannot connect. No linked reason about the effect on use/performance.

No marks0/2

Range is the distance that a wireless signal can travel.

Why: A definition of range, not an effect on performance; the mark scheme says not to accept this on its own.

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 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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