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
1Short recall1 markWireless Connections Swap Remove

A wireless network has a fixed amount of bandwidth.

State what happens to the bandwidth available to each device as more devices connect to the network.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • It is shared between more devices, so each device gets less (bandwidth) (1)

Allow 'the bandwidth is divided/split between the devices'.

Allow 'there is less bandwidth for each device'.

Do not accept 'the speed decreases' / 'the connection slows down' on its own.

Do not accept 'the bandwidth decreases' unless it refers to the bandwidth available to each device.

Do not accept 'the bandwidth increases'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

It is shared between more devices, so each device gets less bandwidth.

Why: States that the bandwidth is shared between more devices and so each device gets less (1).

No marks0/1

The speed for each device decreases.

Why: Describes speed rather than bandwidth; this near-miss is ruled out by the 'Do not accept' line.

No marks0/1

The bandwidth increases because more devices are connected.

Why: Contradicts the correct answer; bandwidth is shared between the devices, it does not increase, so no mark.

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 marksWired Connections Swap Remove

Latency is the delay between data being sent and received. A player of online games uses a wired Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection.

Explain one reason why the wired connection can have a lower latency.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The cable provides a direct physical path to the switch/router (1) so data does not have to travel through the air where it can be delayed by obstacles such as walls (1)
  • The cable is not shared with other wireless devices (1) so data does not have to wait for a free channel before it is sent (1)
  • The data travels straight along the cable to the switch (1) so the time taken for it to reach its destination is short (1)

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

Do not accept 'the wired connection is faster' on its own without saying why the delay between sending and receiving is shorter.

Do not accept a definition of latency without a reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The cable gives the computer a direct physical path to the switch, so the data does not have to travel through the air where it could be delayed by obstacles.

Why: Gives the point of a direct physical path (1) and links it to data not being delayed by obstacles in the air (1).

Some marks1/2

The wired connection gives a direct path, so it is quicker.

Why: Gives the point about the direct path (1) but 'quicker' only restates lower latency and does not explain why the delay is shorter.

No marks0/2

Wired connections have lower latency because the internet speed is faster.

Why: Confuses speed with latency; no reason is given for a shorter delay, and 'faster' on its own is not accepted.

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.