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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 recall1 markImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image uses one bit per pixel.

State the limitation this places on the number of colours in the image.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • Only two different colours can be represented/stored (1)
  • Each pixel can only be one of two values (1)
  • The image can only be shown in black and white (1)

Allow answers that give the number of colours, e.g. two colours, 2 colours

Allow any pair of two colours, e.g. black and white, black and grey

Do not accept low resolution/poor quality/lower quality

Do not accept only one colour/can only show black

Do not accept 2 bits/2^1 without a statement about the number of colours that can be represented

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Only two colours can be represented, such as black and white.

Why: States that only two different colours can be represented (1)

No marks0/1

The image will have a low resolution.

Why: Confuses colour depth with resolution; low resolution is not accepted

No marks0/1

The image can only show black.

Why: One colour is all a single value can give; the limitation is that only two colours can be represented, so this is not accepted

2Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

Source code can contain syntax errors.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in the way they deal with syntax errors.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler reports all syntax errors after translation has finished (1) whereas the interpreter stops at the first error it finds (1)
  • The interpreter reports a syntax error as soon as it finds one (1) and does not translate/execute any more of the program (1)
  • The compiler continues translating after an error (1) and reports the errors at the end (1)
  • The interpreter stops translating when it reaches an error (1) but the compiler finishes translating before reporting errors (1)

Do not accept answers about fixing/correcting errors or about object code.

Do not award 'the compiler finds more errors' without saying errors are reported at the end.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler reports all the syntax errors at the end of translation, whereas an interpreter stops and reports the error as soon as it finds one.

Why: Compiler reports errors at the end (1) and interpreter stops/reports at the first error (1).

Some marks1/2

An interpreter stops translating when it finds a syntax error.

Why: Interpreter stops at the first error (1); no comparison with when the compiler reports errors.

No marks0/2

A compiler reports a syntax error immediately, before translating the rest of the program.

Why: Reverses the compiler's behaviour; it finishes translating before reporting errors.

3Convert2 marksDenary to Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Binary patterns can represent numbers.

Convert the denary number 199 to 8-bit binary.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 1100 (1)
  • 0111 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1100 0111

Why: 199 = 128 + 64 + 4 + 2 + 1: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1100 1000

Why: Converts 200 instead (a slip in adding up the place values). The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

1110 0011

Why: The bits are written in reverse, smallest place value first. Neither nibble is correct.

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 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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