Menu
Exam Questions

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

10 questions · 17 marks

Pick again
Print
1Multiple choice1 markBinary and Hexadecimal Basics Swap Remove

Programmers often use hexadecimal notation.

Identify why programmers use hexadecimal notation.

[1 mark]
  • AIt uses fewer digits than binary to represent the same value
  • BIt can represent a wider range of values than binary
  • CIt is processed directly by the computer without conversion
  • DIt uses only the digits 0 to 9
Mark scheme
  • A It uses fewer digits than binary to represent the same value (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is that hexadecimal uses fewer digits than binary to represent the same value.
  • B is not correct because binary can represent the same range of values for a given number of bits
  • C is not correct because a computer processes binary data and instructions, so hexadecimal must be converted before it is processed
  • D is not correct because hexadecimal uses the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A It uses fewer digits than binary to represent the same value

Why: Correct option: one hexadecimal digit represents four bits, so fewer digits are needed than binary (1).

No marks0/1

B It can represent a wider range of values than binary

Why: Near-miss: for a given number of bits, binary and hexadecimal represent the same range of values, so this is not the reason (0).

No marks0/1

D It uses only the digits 0 to 9

Why: Misconception: hexadecimal also uses A to F; using only 0 to 9 describes denary (0).

2Convert1 markBinary to Denary Conversion Swap Remove

Binary, denary and hexadecimal patterns represent numbers.

Convert the binary pattern 1010 0111 to denary.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 167 (1)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

167

Why: Correct: 128 + 32 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 167 (1).

No marks0/1

229

Why: Reads the place values from the wrong end (the left-hand bit as 1), so the value is wrong.

No marks0/1

5

Why: Counts the 1s instead of adding their place values.

3Convert1 markBinary to Denary Conversion Swap Remove

Computers manipulate binary patterns.

Convert the binary pattern 1110 0000 to denary.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 224 (1)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

224

Why: Correct: 128 + 64 + 32 = 224 (1).

No marks0/1

7

Why: Reads the place values from the wrong end (the left-hand bit as 1), so the value is wrong.

No marks0/1

3

Why: Counts the 1s instead of adding their place values.

4Short recall2 marksBinary and Hexadecimal Basics Swap Remove

Hexadecimal is often used by programmers.

Give two reasons why programmers use hexadecimal.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Hexadecimal is shorter than binary/uses fewer digits (1)
  • It is quicker/easier to read/write (than binary) (1)
  • It is easier to remember (than binary) (1)
  • Fewer digits mean less chance of error when reading or typing (1)
  • It is easy to convert between hexadecimal and binary (1)

Do not accept 'easier'/'better' on its own without saying what is easier/better, e.g. easier to read/write.

For the less chance of error point, accept reading or typing on its own.

Do not award the less chance of error point for a response that only says hexadecimal is shorter/uses fewer digits.

Do not award two marks for the same reason repeated in different words; a second, different reason is needed for the second mark.

Do not accept hexadecimal takes less storage space/uses less memory than binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Hexadecimal is shorter than binary, so it is quicker to read and write. Having fewer digits also means there is less chance of making an error when typing a value.

Why: First sentence gives two creditworthy reasons: hexadecimal is shorter/uses fewer digits (1) and it is quicker to read/write (1). The second sentence gives a further valid reason but is beyond the two-mark cap.

Some marks1/2

Hexadecimal is shorter than binary.

Why: Gives one creditworthy reason: hexadecimal is shorter/uses fewer digits than binary (1). No second, different reason is given.

No marks0/2

Hexadecimal takes less storage space than binary.

Why: This is a misconception; hexadecimal does not take less storage space than binary, and the mark scheme does not accept it.

5Convert2 marksDenary to Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Convert the denary number 140 to 8-bit binary.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 1000 (1)
  • 1100 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1000 1100

Why: 140 = 128 + 8 + 4: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1000 1101

Why: Converts 141 instead (a slip in adding up the place values). The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0011 0001

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

6Convert2 marksDenary to Hexadecimal Conversion Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Convert the denary number 244 to hexadecimal.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct digit in the correct position:

  • F (1)
  • 4 (1)

Answer: F4

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

F4

Why: 244 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 4, so the digits are F and 4: both digits are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

154

Why: One digit is correct (1), but a digit over 9 is written in denary instead of as a letter.

No marks0/2

4F

Why: The digits are the wrong way round, so neither is in the correct position.

7Convert2 marksDenary to Negative Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Convert the denary number -48 to 8-bit binary using two's complement.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 1101 (1)
  • 0000 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1101 0000

Why: 48 is 00110000; flip the bits (11001111) and add 1: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1011 0000

Why: Uses sign and magnitude (a 1 in front of 48) instead of two's complement. The second nibble is correct (1); the first is not.

No marks0/2

1100 1111

Why: Flips the bits of 48 but doesn't add 1. Neither nibble is correct.

8Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Binary, denary and hexadecimal patterns represent numbers.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
1010 1100Arithmetic shift right by 1
Mark scheme

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

  • 1101 (1)
  • 0110 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1101 0110

Why: Every bit moves 1 place right, with copies of the sign bit (1) in from the left: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

0101 0110

Why: Fills the gap on the left with 0s, as a logical shift would, instead of copying the sign bit. The second nibble is correct (1); the first is not.

No marks0/2

0101 1000

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. Neither nibble is correct.

9Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
0011 0100Logical shift left by 3
Mark scheme

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

  • 1010 (1)
  • 0000 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1010 0000

Why: Every bit moves 3 places left, with 0s in from the right: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1101 0000

Why: Shifts 2 places instead of 3. The second nibble is correct (1); the first is not.

No marks0/2

0000 0110

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. Neither nibble is correct.

10Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Binary patterns can represent numbers.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
0111 0101Logical shift left by 3
Mark scheme

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

  • 1010 (1)
  • 1000 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1010 1000

Why: Every bit moves 3 places left, with 0s in from the right: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1010 1001

Why: A slip in the last bit. The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0000 1110

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. 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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Activities Flashcards Revision notes

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.