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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 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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5 questions · 9 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Identify the bus that carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory.

[1 mark]
  • AAddress bus
  • BControl bus
  • CData bus
  • DSystem bus
Mark scheme
  • A Address bus (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is address bus. Do not accept 'address' on its own.
  • B is not correct because the control bus carries control signals in both directions between the CPU and other components
  • C is not correct because the data bus carries data in both directions between the CPU and main memory
  • D is not correct because the system bus is the collection of all three buses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Address bus

Why: Correct option: the address bus carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory (1).

No marks0/1

C Data bus

Why: The data bus carries data in both directions, so it is not the bus that carries addresses in one direction only from the CPU to main memory; no creditworthy point.

No marks0/1

B Control bus

Why: The control bus carries control signals in both directions, not addresses in one direction only; this is the common control/address bus confusion, so no mark.

2Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A hard disk can become fragmented as files are saved and deleted.

Describe how disk defragmentation software improves the performance of a hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Parts of a file are moved so they are stored together/in consecutive locations (1) so the read/write head has less distance to travel to read the file (1)
  • Files are rearranged so that each file is stored in one block (1) which reduces the time taken to open/load the file (1)
  • Free space on the disk is collected into one area (1) so new files can be saved without becoming fragmented (1)
  • The parts of each fragmented file are put in order (1) so fewer movements of the read/write head are needed to read it (1)

Do not accept responses about compressing files, deleting files or increasing the amount of storage, as these are not what defragmentation software does.

Do not accept 'it makes the disk faster' without saying how the files are changed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It moves the parts of a file so they are stored together in consecutive locations (1), so the read/write head does not have to move as far and the file opens more quickly (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): the file parts are stored together, which reduces read/write head movement.

Some marks1/2

It reorganises the files on the hard disk so that they are stored together.

Why: The point is made (1) but there is no development saying how this improves performance, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It compresses the files so that they take up less space on the disk.

Why: This describes data compression software, which the mark scheme says is not accepted; no creditworthy point is made.

3Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A programmer has written a program in assembly language.

Describe why it is necessary to translate the program into machine code before it can be run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The processor/CPU can only execute machine code/binary instructions (1) so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run (1)
  • Each assembly instruction/mnemonic matches/corresponds to one machine code instruction (1) so each line must be replaced with the machine code the processor executes (1)
  • The program is written using mnemonics (1) that must be translated into machine code for the processor to carry out the instructions (1)
  • The hardware/processor does not understand assembly language directly (1) so it must be translated into machine code that the processor can execute (1)

Do not accept 'assembly language is a low-level language'.

Do not accept 'it is hard to understand' or 'it is not English'.

Do not accept benefits, such as 'machine code runs faster' or 'the program will run more quickly'.

Do not accept 'an assembler/a translator converts it' on its own, with no reference to the processor only being able to execute machine code/binary.

Do not accept responses about high-level languages or about compilers/interpreters.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The processor can only execute machine code, so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run.

Why: States what the processor can execute (1) and links it to converting the program's instructions into machine code (1).

Some marks1/2

Each assembly instruction matches one machine code instruction.

Why: Correct point about the one-to-one match (1) but no development saying that this is because the processor only executes machine code.

No marks0/2

Because an assembler translates assembly language into machine code.

Why: Names the translator but gives no reason tied to the processor only being able to execute machine code, so no mark; this is in the 'Do not accept' guidance.

4Explain2 marksThe Internet Swap Remove

Each data packet has a header that contains the destination IP address.

Explain one reason why a data packet contains the destination IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Routers can forward the packet towards its destination (1) because they read the destination IP address in the packet header (1)
  • The packet is delivered to the correct device (1) because the receiving device compares the destination IP address with its own IP address (1)
  • Each packet can take a different route (1) because routers use the destination IP address to choose the next router (1)
  • The packet can be passed on by each router in turn (1) because the destination IP address shows which network the packet is for (1)

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

Statements such as 'so it reaches the right destination' or 'so routers know where to send it' earn the first mark only; do not award the second mark unless the reason says that the address is read from the packet header and used to forward the packet.

Do not accept 'so it knows where it came from' as this describes the source address, not the destination address.

Do not accept 'so it gets there faster' without a linked reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Routers know where to send it because they use the address in the packet header to choose the next network.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): routers read the destination IP address in the header to forward the packet.

Some marks1/2

So that it reaches the right destination because every packet has an address.

Why: First mark (1) for reaching the right destination, but the reason is circular and does not say the address is read and used to forward the packet.

No marks0/2

So the packet knows where it came from.

Why: Describes the source address, not the destination address; do not accept.

5Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Computers manipulate binary patterns.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
1000 0001Logical shift right by 1
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 0100 (1)
  • 0000 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

0100 0000

Why: Every bit moves 1 place right, with 0s in from the left: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

0100 0001

Why: A slip in the last bit. The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0000 0010

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. Neither nibble is correct.

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

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

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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

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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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