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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 · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A digital camera contains an embedded system.

Give two functions that the embedded system performs in the digital camera.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

  • Focus the lens/autofocus (1)
  • Control the shutter (speed) (1)
  • Control the flash/decide when the flash is needed (1)
  • Measure the light level to set the exposure/the aperture (1)
  • Stabilise the lens/image stabilisation (1)
  • Zoom the lens in and out (1)
  • Detect a face/smile (1)

Do not accept 'take a photograph'/'take a picture'/'capture an image', as taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question.

Do not accept 'press the button' as this is an action of the user, not a function performed by the embedded system.

Do not accept vague answers such as 'use the camera', 'turn the camera on and off' or 'make the camera work', which do not name a function that the embedded system performs.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It focuses the lens and decides when the flash should fire.

Why: Focus the lens (1) and control the flash (1).

Some marks1/2

It controls the zoom and takes a picture when the button is pressed.

Why: Zoom the lens credited (1); 'takes a picture' is not accepted because taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question, and 'press the button' is the user's action, not a function of the embedded system.

No marks0/2

It takes a picture when the button is pressed and it makes the camera work.

Why: No mark: 'takes a picture' repeats the camera's function given in the question, 'press the button' is an action of the user, and 'makes the camera work' is too vague to name a function.

2Short recall2 marksCompression Swap Remove

Images and sound can be stored using lossy compression.

Define the term lossy compression.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

  • Reduces the size of a file (1)
  • Permanently removes/loses some data (1)
  • The original file cannot be recreated/restored exactly (1)

Allow 'some data is deleted/discarded and cannot be recovered' for the second mark.

Do not award the first mark where the response also states that no data is lost.

Do not accept 'removes repeated data' (this describes lossless compression).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Lossy compression reduces the size of a file by permanently removing some data, so the original cannot be restored exactly.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); permanently removes some data (1); maximum two marks awarded.

Some marks1/2

It makes a file smaller.

Why: Reduces the size of a file (1); no reference to data being permanently lost.

No marks0/2

It makes a file smaller without losing any of the data.

Why: States that no data is lost, which describes lossless compression; the first mark is not awarded.

3Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A small business stores its customer records on a computer.

Describe the purpose of backup software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Makes a copy/duplicate of the files/data (1) and stores it on a separate storage device/at a different location (1)
  • Copies the data at regular intervals (1) so a recent version is available if the original is lost (1)
  • Keeps a copy of the files (1) so that the data can be restored after the original is deleted/corrupted (1)
  • Stores the copies on another device (1) so the data is not lost if the original device fails/is damaged by a fire or flood (1)

Do not accept 'it backs up the files' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept responses about repairing corrupted files or removing malware, as these are different utility programs.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It makes a copy of the data and saves it on a separate storage device (1) so that the records can be restored if the original files are deleted or the computer fails (1).

Why: The point (1) and a linked development giving the purpose of the copy (1).

Some marks1/2

It makes a copy of the files and saves it on another disk.

Why: The point and location are given (1), but there is no development saying what the copy is used for, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

It repairs damaged files so that they can be opened again by the program.

Why: This describes file repair software, which the mark scheme does not accept for this question.

4Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

The TCP/IP model has four layers.

Explain one function of the transport layer when a file is sent over a network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Splits the data/file into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1)
  • Adds a packet/sequence number to each packet (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order at the destination (1)
  • Detects lost/missing packets (1) so they can be requested/resent (1)
  • Creates a connection between the two computers/hosts (1) before the file is sent (1)

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

Allow 'segments' for 'packets' (TCP divides the data into segments, which become packets at the internet layer).

Do not accept 'sends the data/file' on its own without saying what the transport layer does to the data.

Do not accept naming TCP or a port number on its own without expansion.

Do not accept routing/addressing packets using IP addresses, which is the internet layer.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The transport layer splits the data into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): splitting into packets lets each one be sent separately.

Some marks1/2

It splits the data into packets (1).

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason given, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

It routes the packets using IP addresses (0) so they reach the right destination.

Why: Routing using IP addresses is the internet layer, not the transport layer, so no credit 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

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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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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