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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

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 recall2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A solid state drive has a capacity of 5 gibibytes.

Give an expression to calculate the number of bits in 5 gibibytes. You do not need to do the calculation.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each of:

  • 5 × 1024^3 / 5 × 1024 × 1024 × 1024 / 5 × 2^30, for the number of bytes (1)
  • A fully correct expression with × 8 to convert bytes to bits, in any order, e.g. 5 × 1024^3 × 8, 8 × 5 × 2^30 (1)

Accept 5 × 1 073 741 824 × 8.

Accept 5 × 2^33 or 42 949 672 960 as a fully correct expression (2 marks).

Do not accept 5 × 1000^3 × 8, which uses decimal multiples.

Do not accept ÷ 8, which converts bits to bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

8 × 5 × 2^30

Why: 5 × 2^30 is the number of bytes (1) and × 8 converts bytes to bits (1).

Some marks1/2

5 × 2^30

Why: Correct number of bytes using the binary multiple 2^30 (1), but no conversion to bits.

No marks0/2

5 × 1000^3 × 8

Why: Uses decimal 1000^3 instead of binary 1024^3, so the expression is not fully correct; no creditworthy point.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

High-level code can be translated by a compiler or by an interpreter.

Describe how a compiler translates high-level code differently from an interpreter.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler translates the whole program/complete source code in one go (1) whereas the interpreter translates one line/statement at a time (1)
  • The compiler translates all of the source code before any of it is run/executed (1) but the interpreter translates each line/statement as it reads it (1)
  • The interpreter translates one line/statement at a time (1) and the compiler translates the whole program/source code together (1)

Accept the compiler point and the interpreter point in either order.

Do not accept responses about object code/executable files, when the translated code is executed, how errors are reported, or speed/memory use.

Do not accept 'the interpreter executes/runs each line' on its own, without saying that it translates one line/statement at a time.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler translates the whole program in one go, while an interpreter translates one line at a time.

Why: Whole program translated in one go (1) and interpreter translates one line at a time (1).

Some marks1/2

A compiler translates the whole program in one go.

Why: Whole program translated in one go (1); no linked point about the interpreter translating a line at a time.

No marks0/2

A compiler produces an executable file, but an interpreter does not.

Why: Describes the output, not the amount translated at a time; object code/executable files are not accepted.

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.

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