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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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1Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Wireless networks have a limited range.

State two factors that can reduce the range of a wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Walls/obstacles between the device and the access point (1)
  • Interference from other electrical devices/other devices/other wireless networks (1)
  • Distance from the access point (1)
  • Using a higher frequency band (e.g. 5GHz) (1)
  • Low transmit power of the access point/device (1)

Allow thick walls/furniture for walls/obstacles

Do not accept using more bandwidth

Do not accept a weaker signal without a stated cause

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Walls can block the signal, and moving further from the access point reduces the range.

Why: Gives walls as an obstacle (1) and distance from the access point (1).

Some marks1/2

Interference from other devices.

Why: Gives one valid factor, interference from other devices (1), but no second factor.

No marks0/2

Using more bandwidth reduces the range.

Why: Bandwidth does not reduce range; this is a near-miss listed as Do not accept, so no mark.

2Describe2 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.

3Describe2 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.

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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