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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 9 marks

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1Short recall3 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The CPU contains several components.

Name three components of the CPU.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Control unit / CU (1)
  • Arithmetic logic unit / ALU (1)
  • Register(s) (1)
  • Clock (1)

Do not accept main memory / RAM.

Do not accept cache.

Marks can be awarded in any order.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and registers.

Why: Names three creditworthy CPU components (control unit, ALU, registers), one mark each.

Some marks2/3

Control unit, clock and main memory.

Why: Control unit (1) and clock (1) are creditworthy; main memory is not a component of the CPU, a common misconception seen in the June 2023 question.

No marks0/3

Main memory, RAM and cache.

Why: None are CPU components named in the specification; candidates often confuse main memory with CPU components.

2Short recall2 marksCompression Swap Remove

Files can be compressed before they are stored.

Define the term lossless compression.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Reduces/makes the size of a file smaller (1)
  • No data is lost/removed (during compression) (1)
  • The original file/data can be recreated/restored exactly (1)

Allow 'the compressed file takes up less storage space' for the first mark.

The second and third bullets are two ways of making the same point: award a maximum of one mark for them, so a response that says no data is lost and that the original file can be restored, but does not say the file is smaller, scores one mark.

Do not accept descriptions of lossy compression, e.g. 'it removes data that is not needed to make the file smaller'.

Ignore reference to download/transmission times, bandwidth and streaming, as these are benefits of compression and not part of the definition.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Lossless compression reduces the size of a file without permanently removing any data, so the original file can be restored exactly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1) and no data is lost, so the original can be restored exactly (1); maximum of two marks reached.

Some marks1/2

It makes a file smaller so it downloads more quickly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); the faster download is ignored as a benefit, not part of the definition.

No marks0/2

It removes data that is not needed to make the file smaller.

Why: Describes lossy compression, which the do-not-accept line rules out, so the mention of making the file smaller is not credited.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

Source code can contain syntax errors.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in the way they deal with syntax errors.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler reports all syntax errors after translation has finished (1) whereas the interpreter stops at the first error it finds (1)
  • The interpreter reports a syntax error as soon as it finds one (1) and does not translate/execute any more of the program (1)
  • The compiler continues translating after an error (1) and reports the errors at the end (1)
  • The interpreter stops translating when it reaches an error (1) but the compiler finishes translating before reporting errors (1)

Do not accept answers about fixing/correcting errors or about object code.

Do not award 'the compiler finds more errors' without saying errors are reported at the end.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler reports all the syntax errors at the end of translation, whereas an interpreter stops and reports the error as soon as it finds one.

Why: Compiler reports errors at the end (1) and interpreter stops/reports at the first error (1).

Some marks1/2

An interpreter stops translating when it finds a syntax error.

Why: Interpreter stops at the first error (1); no comparison with when the compiler reports errors.

No marks0/2

A compiler reports a syntax error immediately, before translating the rest of the program.

Why: Reverses the compiler's behaviour; it finishes translating before reporting errors.

4Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

Email protocols are used when an email is sent and received.

Explain the role of SMTP when an email is sent.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Sends outgoing email from the client to the mail server (1) so it can be forwarded/relayed to the recipient's mail server (1)
  • Transfers email between mail servers (1) so it reaches the destination server (1)
  • Pushes/sends the email message (1) because it handles outgoing mail while POP3/IMAP handle incoming mail (1)

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

Do not accept receiving/downloading email or storing email on the server, which is POP3/IMAP.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

SMTP sends the email from the sender's computer to the mail server (1) so it can be forwarded on to the recipient's mail server (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): sends to the mail server so it can be forwarded.

Some marks1/2

SMTP is used to send emails (1).

Why: Role (1) identified, but no linked reason or expansion of what sending involves.

No marks0/2

SMTP downloads the email to the recipient's device (0) so they can read it.

Why: Downloading email is the role of POP3/IMAP, not SMTP, so no credit is given.

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

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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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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