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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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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Short recall2 marksImages Swap Remove

Bitmap images are stored as a grid of pixels.

Define the term pixel.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The smallest element/area of a bitmap image (1)
  • The smallest identifiable part of an image (1)
  • Stores/represents a single colour as a binary value (1)
  • Stores/represents a single colour using a number of bits/colour depth (1)

Allow 'picture element' for element/part in the first two bullets, but not on its own

Allow 'bit depth' for colour depth

Do not accept 'picture element'/'pixel' on its own

Do not accept 'a group of pixels' or 'a dot' on its own; allow 'dot' only when it is described as the smallest element/area of the image

Do not accept 'single colour' on its own for the second mark; it must be linked to a binary value/number of bits

Do not accept 'lots of coloured dots' (it contradicts a single colour)

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image, which has one colour stored as a binary value.

Why: Smallest identifiable area (1) and single colour stored as a binary value (1)

Some marks1/2

The smallest part of a bitmap image, made of one colour.

Why: Smallest part (1); no credit for the second mark because the single colour is not linked to a binary value or number of bits

No marks0/2

A picture element made from lots of coloured dots.

Why: 'Picture element' on its own is not accepted and 'lots of coloured dots' contradicts a single colour

2Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A compiler and an interpreter both translate source code.

Describe one difference between what a compiler produces and what an interpreter produces.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A compiler produces object code/machine code/an executable (file) (1) whereas an interpreter produces no object code/translated file (1)
  • A compiler produces a machine code file (1) that can be run on its own/without the compiler/translator being present (1)
  • An interpreter produces no object code/file (1) because it translates and executes each line instead of saving translated code (1)
  • The compiler's output can be saved/stored (1) and run again later, while interpreted code has to be translated again each time it is run (1)

Allow binary for machine code.

Allow executable/an executable for object code.

Do not accept responses about translating the whole program, reporting errors or the speed of execution.

Do not accept 'the interpreter translates/executes one line at a time' on its own: this is how it translates, not what it produces. It earns the development only when linked to no object code/translated file being produced.

Do not accept the interpreter producing object code/an executable.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler produces object code, which is saved as a file, whereas an interpreter does not produce a file because it translates and executes each line.

Why: Compiler produces object code (1) contrasted with the interpreter producing no object code/translated file (1).

Some marks1/2

The compiler produces machine code.

Why: Machine code/object code produced (1); there is no contrast with the interpreter, so the development is not earned.

No marks0/2

The interpreter produces object code for each line it translates.

Why: Reverses the translators' outputs: the interpreter produces no object code, so nothing is creditworthy.

3Convert1 markDenary to Hexadecimal Conversion Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Convert the hexadecimal number D5 to denary.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 213 (1)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

213

Why: 13 × 16 + 5 = 213 (1).

No marks0/1

93

Why: Takes the right-hand digit as the 16s, so the value is wrong.

No marks0/1

18

Why: Adds the two digits instead of multiplying the first by 16.

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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