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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 687 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 · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A new character set must be able to represent 70 different characters.

Identify the minimum number of bits needed to represent each character.

[1 mark]
  • A6
  • B7
  • C8
  • D70
Mark scheme
  • B 7 (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is 7.
  • A is not correct because 6 bits give only 64 combinations, which is not enough for 70 characters
  • C is not correct because 7 bits already give 128 combinations, so 8 bits is not the minimum needed
  • D is not correct because 70 is the number of characters needed, not a number of bits
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B 7

Why: The only correct answer: 7 bits give 128 combinations, enough for 70 characters, and it is the smallest number of bits that does (1).

No marks0/1

C 8

Why: Distractor, no credit: a single-tick item has no partial credit, and 8 bits is not the minimum because 7 bits already give 128 combinations, so the scheme's C line gives no mark.

No marks0/1

A 6

Why: Misconception, no credit: 6 bits give only 64 combinations, which cannot represent 70 different characters, so the scheme's A line gives no mark.

2Short recall1 markImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image has a resolution.

State what is meant by the resolution of an image.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • The concentration/density of pixels in an area (1)
  • The number of pixels per inch (PPI) / pixels per unit area (1)
  • The width and height/dimensions of the image in pixels (1)

Do not accept the number of pixels in the image on its own, without dimensions or an area, e.g. 'the total number of pixels'

Do not accept colour depth / the number of bits used per pixel / the number of colours

Do not accept file size in bytes / the amount of storage the image uses / screen size / image quality

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The concentration of pixels in an area, such as the number of pixels per inch.

Why: Gives the density/concentration of pixels in an area, and pixels per inch (1)

No marks0/1

The number of pixels in the image.

Why: A bare total pixel count is not accepted without dimensions or an area

No marks0/1

The number of bits used to store each pixel's colour.

Why: Describes colour depth, not resolution, and colour depth is not accepted

3Describe2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

Uppercase letters are represented in a computer using 7-bit ASCII codes.

Describe how the ASCII codes for the uppercase letters A to Z are arranged.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The codes run in alphabetical order/consecutively (1) so each letter has a code one more than the letter before it (1)
  • A has the code 65 and Z has the code 90 (1) so the codes for the letters in between increase by 1 each time (1)
  • The letters are stored in sequence (1) so B is A + 1, C is B + 1 and so on (1)

Accept the codes given in denary (65, 90) or as 7-bit binary (1000001, 1011010).

Do not accept 'the codes go up' or 'the codes are in order' on its own, as neither gives the step of 1 or links one letter to the next.

Do not accept 'each uppercase letter has a different code' on its own, as this does not describe the arrangement.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The codes are in alphabetical order, so B is one more than A and C is one more than B.

Why: Codes are consecutive/in order (1) with the linked step of one more for each letter (1).

Some marks1/2

A is 65 and Z is 90.

Why: Gives the first half of the linked pair, the start and end codes (1), but does not give the linked development, the increase of 1 between letters (0).

No marks0/2

The ASCII codes for uppercase letters go up.

Why: 'Codes go up' on its own gives no step of 1 and no link to the next letter, so it is not creditworthy (0) under the 'Do not accept' line.

4Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

Each sample of a sound wave is stored as a binary number.

Explain how increasing the bit depth affects the representation of a sound wave.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each sample is stored using more bits (1) so the amplitude can be recorded more precisely (1)
  • More different amplitude values can be represented (1) because each extra bit doubles the number of possible values (1)
  • The height of the wave at each sample point is measured more accurately (1) so the digital wave is closer to the analogue wave (1)
  • The gap between the true amplitude and the stored value is smaller (1) because there are more values for the sample to be rounded to (1)

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

Do not accept 'the sound is sampled more often' or 'more samples are taken per second', as these describe the sample rate, not the bit depth.

Do not accept 'the file size increases' on its own as an effect on the representation of the sound.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each sample is stored using more bits, so the amplitude at each sample point can be recorded more precisely.

Why: Point (more bits per sample) (1) with linked reason (amplitude recorded more precisely) (1).

Some marks1/2

Each sample is stored using more bits.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked effect on the accuracy of the representation, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

It takes more samples every second, so the wave is stored in more detail.

Why: Confuses bit depth with sample rate, so no mark is awarded.

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 30
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 12 questions

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