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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.

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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A text file stores each character using 7-bit ASCII.

Identify the denary ASCII code for the space character.

[1 mark]
  • A32
  • B33
  • C48
  • D65
Mark scheme
  • A 32 (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is 32.
  • B is not correct because 33 is the ASCII code for the exclamation mark (!)
  • C is not correct because 48 is the ASCII code for the character 0
  • D is not correct because 65 is the ASCII code for the uppercase letter A
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A 32

Why: Correct option: the space character has the ASCII code 32 (1).

No marks0/1

C 48

Why: Near miss scoring 0: 48 is the ASCII code for the character 0, not the space character.

No marks0/1

D 65

Why: Misconception scoring 0: 65 is the ASCII code for the uppercase letter A, so a well-known code is given but not the code for a space.

2Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

To store sound in binary, an analogue sound wave is sampled at regular intervals.

Define the term 'sample rate'.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The number of samples taken per second (1)

Allow captured/recorded for taken.

Allow 'samples per second'.

Allow 'each second' for 'per second'.

Allow Hz/hertz as the unit.

Do not accept the time between samples/sample interval.

Do not accept 'the number of samples' without a per second/time reference.

Do not accept the number of bits used per sample/bit depth.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The number of samples taken per second.

Why: States samples per second (1); 'per second' is accepted.

No marks0/1

The time between each sample.

Why: Defines sample interval, not sample rate; do not accept.

No marks0/1

The number of bits used for each sample.

Why: Describes bit depth, not sample rate; do not accept.

3Describe2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer uses 7-bit ASCII to store text.

Describe why 7 bits are needed to represent each character, rather than 6 bits.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 6 bits give only 64 different codes (1) which is fewer than the number of letters, digits and symbols that must be represented (1)
  • 7 bits give 128 different codes (1) which is enough to represent every letter, digit and symbol that is needed (1)
  • Adding a bit doubles the number of different codes from 64 to 128 (1) so that every character needed can have its own code (1)
  • There are more than 64 characters that must be represented (letters, digits and symbols) (1) so 6 bits cannot give each one a different code (1)

A statement of the number of codes without a development can earn one mark only; the development must be linked to the statement for the second mark.

Do not accept responses that only say computers use binary (1s and 0s).

Do not accept that 7 bits are needed because 7 is a bigger number than 6, with no reference to the number of codes or characters.

Do not accept responses about 8 bits, extended ASCII or Unicode.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

6 bits can only give 64 different codes, which is not enough for all the letters, digits and symbols that have to be represented.

Why: Gives the number of codes 6 bits can make (1) linked to the number of characters that must be represented (1).

Some marks1/2

7 bits give 128 different codes.

Why: States the number of codes available from 7 bits (1) but gives no linked development, so the second mark is not earned (0).

No marks0/2

Because computers only use binary and 7 is a bigger number than 6.

Why: Says only that computers use binary and compares the numbers, which the mark scheme tells markers not to accept; no creditworthy point about codes or characters.

4Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

Analogue sound is converted to binary by sampling at regular intervals.

Explain one reason why increasing the sample rate improves the quality of a digitised sound.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More samples are taken every second / the sample rate is higher (1) so the digital wave follows the shape of the analogue wave more closely (1)
  • The amplitude is measured more often / at shorter intervals (1) so fewer changes in the sound are missed between measurements (1)
  • The sample interval is shorter (1) so less of the sound wave is lost/goes unrecorded between samples (1)
  • More data points are recorded for the same length of sound (1) so the digital representation is a closer copy of the original sound (1)

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

Do not accept 'the quality is better/higher' or 'the sound is clearer' as a point on its own without a reason such as more samples or more detail.

Do not accept 'the samples are more accurate' or 'more data is collected' without saying what becomes more accurate or what the extra data records.

Do not accept 'the file size is larger' as a reason for improved quality.

Do not accept answers about using more bits per sample, as these describe bit depth, not the sample rate.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

More samples are taken every second, so the digital representation follows the shape of the analogue wave more closely.

Why: Point (more samples each second) (1) with linked reason (follows the analogue wave more closely) (1).

Some marks1/2

More samples are taken every second.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked reason about what the extra samples achieve, so stays on one mark.

No marks0/2

Each sample is stored using more bits, so every measurement is more accurate.

Why: This describes bit depth, not the sample rate, so neither 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

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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