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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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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

Characters are encoded using 7-bit ASCII.

Identify the number of different characters that can be represented using 7-bit ASCII.

[1 mark]
  • A64
  • B127
  • C128
  • D256
Mark scheme
  • C 128 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 128.
  • A is not correct because 6 bits give only 64 different combinations
  • B is not correct because 127 is the largest 7-bit value, not the number of characters that 7 bits can represent
  • D is not correct because 256 characters need 8 bits, as used by 8-bit extended ASCII
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 128

Why: Selects the only correct option (1): 7 bits give 2 to the power of 7, which is 128 different characters.

No marks0/1

D 256

Why: Near miss scoring 0: 256 is the number of characters that 8 bits give in extended ASCII, not 7-bit ASCII.

No marks0/1

B 127

Why: Misconception scoring 0, the off-by-one error the examiners' report describes: 127 is the largest 7-bit value, but 7 bits give 128 different characters.

2Describe2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

A program is stored on secondary storage before it is run.

Describe how the operating system manages memory when a program is started.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program (and its data) is copied/loaded from secondary storage into main memory/RAM (1) so that the CPU can fetch/execute its instructions (1)
  • An area of main memory is allocated/reserved for the program (1) that is large enough to hold the program and its data (1)
  • The operating system checks that there is enough free main memory (1) before the program can be started/loaded, otherwise it cannot run/an error is reported (1)
  • The operating system keeps a record of the memory addresses used by the program (1) so that its instructions and data can be found when it runs (1)

Allow 'loaded into RAM', 'stored in memory' and 'put into main memory' as equivalent to copied into main memory.

A single statement that the program is loaded/stored in main memory, with no linked development, can be given one mark only.

Do not accept descriptions of the CPU fetching/executing instructions that do not refer to the operating system loading or allocating memory.

Do not accept responses about virtual memory (moving processes to secondary storage) or about which process runs next on the CPU.

Do not accept the program being run from secondary storage/hard disk.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system copies the program and its data from secondary storage into main memory so that the CPU can fetch and execute its instructions.

Why: Copying the program and data into main memory (1) linked to the CPU fetching/executing instructions (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system loads the program into main memory.

Why: The program is copied/loaded into main memory (1), but there is no linked development of how or what this leads to, so only one mark is given.

No marks0/2

The CPU fetches the program's instructions from main memory and executes them one at a time.

Why: This describes the fetch-decode-execute cycle, not the operating system loading or allocating memory, which is the Do not accept line; no creditworthy point is made.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A high-level program must be translated into machine code before it can be run.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in when the translated code is executed.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The interpreter executes each line as soon as it has been translated (1) so translation and execution happen together/at the same time (1)
  • The compiler translates the whole program first (1) and the machine code is run later/separately (1)
  • The interpreter translates the code and runs it while the program is running (1) whereas the compiler does not run the code it produces (1)
  • The compiler produces translated code that is executed only after all the translation has finished (1) but the interpreter executes each line immediately (1)

Allow 'translates one line at a time' where it is linked to executing each line immediately.

Do not accept answers that only state that a compiler is faster/an interpreter is slower, without reference to when execution happens.

Do not accept answers that only give object code, error reporting or portability, without reference to when execution happens.

Do not accept the compiler executing the program as it translates it.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The compiler translates the code first and the program is executed afterwards, but the interpreter executes each line as soon as it has been translated.

Why: Compiler translates the whole program first and it is executed afterwards (1) and interpreter executes each line as soon as it is translated (1).

Some marks1/2

The interpreter executes each line immediately after translating it.

Why: Correct interpreter timing (1); no comparison with when the compiler's translated code is executed.

No marks0/2

The compiler executes the program line by line as it translates it.

Why: Reverses the two translators; a compiler does not execute the program it translates, so no mark.

4Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

A bank's website can use HTTP or HTTPS.

Explain one benefit to a customer of the bank's website using HTTPS.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data is encrypted/scrambled (1) so it cannot be read/understood if it is intercepted (1)
  • The customer's bank/personal details are kept secure/private (1) because the data is encrypted/scrambled during transmission (1)
  • The customer's login details/password cannot be read by an eavesdropper (1) because HTTPS encrypts/scrambles the data sent to and from the web server (1)

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

Allow 'scrambled' as an alternative to 'encrypted'.

Do not accept 'it is more secure/safe' or 'the data is secure' on its own, without saying how it is made secure (e.g. encryption/scrambling).

Do not accept faster loading/speed, or claims that HTTPS stops viruses or always proves the website is genuine.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The data is encrypted (1) so anyone intercepting it cannot read the customer's bank details (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): encryption means intercepted data cannot be read.

Some marks1/2

The data is encrypted (1) so the website is secure.

Why: Point (1) for encryption, but 'secure' on its own is a near-miss that the mark scheme does not credit as the linked reason; it must say why, e.g. that intercepted data cannot be read.

No marks0/2

HTTPS is faster than HTTP (0) so the customer can log in more quickly.

Why: Speed is not a benefit of HTTPS and is named in a 'Do not accept' line, so no creditworthy point 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

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

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 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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