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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 659 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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10 questions · 17 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markAddressing Swap Remove

A technician is checking the IP addresses of the devices on a network.

Identify the valid IPv4 address.

[1 mark]
  • A192.168.1
  • B192.168.1.1
  • C192.168.1.1.1
  • D192.168.1.256
Mark scheme
  • B 192.168.1.1 (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is 192.168.1.1.
  • A is not correct because it is an incomplete address with only three numbers, not four
  • C is not correct because it is an address with five numbers, not four
  • D is not correct because it contains 256, which is outside the range 0 to 255
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B 192.168.1.1

Why: Correct option (1): an IPv4 address is four numbers, each from 0 to 255, separated by dots.

No marks0/1

D 192.168.1.256

Why: Near miss: it has four numbers but 256 is outside the range 0 to 255 (mark scheme line D), so no mark.

No marks0/1

A 192.168.1

Why: It has only three numbers, so it is not a complete IPv4 address (mark scheme line A), so no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markWired Connections Swap Remove

A video call is made using a wired Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection.

Identify the characteristic that is the delay between a signal being sent and received, which is lower on the wired connection.

[1 mark]
  • ABandwidth
  • BLatency
  • CRange
  • DSpeed
Mark scheme
  • B Latency (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is latency.
  • A is not correct because bandwidth is the capacity of a connection, not a measure of time
  • C is not correct because range is the maximum distance a signal can travel, not a measure of time
  • D is not correct because speed is the rate at which data is transferred, not a delay
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B Latency

Why: Selected the correct characteristic, latency, which is the time delay between a signal being sent and received.

No marks0/1

D Speed

Why: Speed is the rate at which data is transferred, not the time delay described in the question.

No marks0/1

A Bandwidth

Why: Bandwidth is the capacity of a connection, not a measure of time, so it does not describe a delay.

3Short recall1 markPacket Switching Swap Remove

Packets can arrive at the destination in a different order.

State why each packet has a sequence number.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • So the packets can be put/reassembled back into the correct order (at the receiving computer/recipient) (1)

Allow 'to show the order of the packets' / 'so the packets can be reordered (by the receiving computer)'

Do not accept 'to number the packets' without a purpose

Do not accept 'to count the packets'

Do not accept 'to identify the packet' on its own

Do not accept 'so packets can be checked/resent' unless linked to putting the packets in order

Do not accept answers about choosing a router or the route

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

So the packets can be put back into the correct order.

Why: Correctly gives reordering at the receiver (1).

No marks0/1

To number the packets.

Why: Repeats the idea of numbering without giving the purpose; the mark scheme does not accept this without a purpose.

No marks0/1

So the packet knows which router to use.

Why: Sequence numbers are not used to choose a router; the mark scheme does not accept answers about routers or the route.

4Short recall2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

Every device on the internet has an IP address.

Define the term IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A unique number/identifier assigned to a device on a network/the internet (1)
  • Identifies the destination (or source) of data packets (1)
  • Used by routers to forward/route packets towards their destination (1)

Allow 'so that data can be sent to the device' for the second or third mark, but award it once only.

Do not accept MAC address/hardware address (it identifies the network interface, not a device's location on the internet)

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A unique number given to a device on the internet. Routers use it to forward packets to the correct destination.

Why: Unique number for a device (1) and used by routers to route packets (1).

Some marks1/2

A number that identifies a device on a network.

Why: Unique identifier for a device (1), but no identification of source/destination or routing.

No marks0/2

A unique address that is built into a network card and never changes.

Why: Describes a MAC address, which is not accepted; no creditworthy point.

5Describe2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

Network protocols are used to transmit data over a network.

Describe the purpose of the application layer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Provides the protocols used by applications (1) so a web browser can use HTTP/HTTPS or an email client can use SMTP/IMAP (1)
  • Prepares/creates the data produced by the application (1) and passes it down to the transport layer (1)
  • Selects the correct protocol for the application being used (1) so the receiving application can understand the data (1)

Do not accept responses about routing packets/IP addresses; these relate to the internet layer.

Do not accept naming a protocol without describing the purpose of the application layer.

Do not accept generic statements that the layer 'sends data' or 'connects to the network' without a linked development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It provides the protocols that applications use, so a web browser can use HTTP/HTTPS and an email client can use SMTP.

Why: Linked point: provides protocols used by applications (1) and gives linked protocol examples for a browser/email client (1).

Some marks1/2

It selects the correct protocol for the application being used.

Why: Gives the point that the layer selects the correct protocol (1), but does not link it to why this is needed or what it allows.

No marks0/2

It routes packets to the correct IP address.

Why: Misconception: routing packets and IP addresses belong to the internet layer, which the mark scheme says is not accepted.

6Describe2 marksTopologies Swap Remove

A bus topology uses one main cable that every device connects to.

Describe why data collisions can happen on a bus network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • All devices share a single cable/backbone (1) so if two devices transmit at the same time their signals collide (1)
  • Signals travel in both directions along the cable (1) so data from different devices can meet/interfere with each other (1)
  • Only one device can transmit at a time (1) so devices must wait until the cable is free before sending (1)
  • The more devices that are added to the network (1) the more often collisions happen/the slower the network becomes (1)

Allow 'the data is corrupted and has to be resent' as the linked development of a collision.

Do not accept responses about a broken/missing cable or faulty terminators, as the whole network failing is a different issue.

Do not award 'the data is lost forever' as a result of a collision.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

All the devices share the same cable, so if two devices send data at the same time the signals collide and the data is corrupted.

Why: Point (1) for the shared cable and linked development (1) for two signals colliding.

Some marks1/2

Only one device can send data at a time on a bus network.

Why: Point (1) for one device transmitting at a time, but no development of devices having to wait for the cable to be free.

No marks0/2

The data collides because the terminators are missing from the end of the cable.

Why: No creditworthy point; faulty terminators are excluded by the do-not-accept line.

7Explain2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

The internet is moving from IPv4 addresses to IPv6 addresses.

Explain why IPv6 addresses are needed.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • IPv4 addresses are 32-bit (1) so there are only about 4 billion of them/not enough for every device (1)
  • More devices are connecting to the internet than IPv4 can address (1) so a larger range of addresses is needed (1)
  • IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (1) so far more devices can be given an address (1)

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

Do not accept 'IPv6 is newer/better/faster/more secure' without a link to the number of addresses available.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

IPv4 addresses are only 32 bits long, so there are not enough of them for all the devices that now connect to the internet.

Why: Point that IPv4 addresses are 32-bit (1) and linked reason that this limits the number of addresses below the number of devices (1).

Some marks1/2

Because we have run out of IPv4 addresses.

Why: A valid point (1) but no linked reason about why IPv4 addresses are limited, such as the 32-bit size or the number of devices.

No marks0/2

Because IPv6 is newer and more secure than IPv4.

Why: No link to the number of addresses available; the mark scheme says not to accept newer/better/more secure on its own.

8Explain2 marksLANs & WANs Swap Remove

A company has offices in three different countries.

Explain one reason why the company needs a WAN to connect its offices.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The offices are a large distance apart/in different countries (1) so a WAN connects the separate networks over a large geographical area (1)
  • A WAN connects two or more LANs together (1) so the separate office networks can communicate (1)
  • A WAN can use leased lines rented from telecommunications companies (1) because the company does not own the long-distance cabling between countries (1)

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

Allow 'a WAN covers a large geographical area' as the WAN feature (1) when linked to the company's offices being in different countries/cities (1).

Allow leased lines rented from telecommunications companies as the WAN feature (1) if linked to the company not owning the long-distance cabling (1).

Do not accept 'a WAN is bigger/faster' without saying that it connects networks over a large distance.

Do not accept 'the offices are in different countries' on its own as a linked explanation, because it does not state a WAN feature.

Do not accept 'WAN covers a large area' on its own without linking it to the company's offices.

Do not accept 'the internet is a WAN' on its own.

Do not accept 'more secure/safer' on its own because this does not explain the need to connect distant offices.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The offices are in different countries, so a WAN is needed to connect the networks over a large geographical area.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): different countries need a WAN's large-area coverage.

Some marks1/2

The offices are far apart.

Why: Earns the first mark for the distance point; no linked reason about WAN coverage.

No marks0/2

A WAN is needed because it is more secure than a LAN.

Why: No credit: security is not a reason for needing a WAN, and the mark scheme rejects it.

9Explain2 marksPacket Switching Swap Remove

Data is split into packets before it is sent across the internet.

Explain why each packet has a packet number in its header.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The receiver can put the packets back into the correct order (1) because packets may arrive out of order/take different routes (1)
  • The receiver can see if a packet is missing (1) because the sequence of numbers shows a gap (1)
  • The receiver knows when the whole file has arrived (1) because the total number of packets/last packet number is known (1)

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

Allow 'so the packets can be put back in the correct order/reassembled' for the first mark, but the second mark needs the reason, i.e. packets may arrive out of order/take different routes.

Do not accept 'so the packets can be identified' without stating what the number is used for, e.g. reordering or spotting a missing packet.

Do not accept 'so the router knows where to send it' - the router uses the destination IP address, not the packet number.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The receiver can put the packets back in the correct order because they may arrive out of order.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): the packet number allows reordering because packets can arrive out of order.

Some marks1/2

It shows the receiver the order of the packets.

Why: The point is given (1) but there is no linked reason, such as packets arriving out of order.

No marks0/2

So the router knows which route to use.

Why: Routers use the destination IP address, not the packet number, so this earns nothing; it is named in the mark scheme as a 'Do not accept'.

10Explain2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

An office wireless network is near a microwave oven and several other wireless networks.

Explain how interference can affect the speed of a wireless network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The speed of data transfer is reduced/is slower (1) because interference corrupts the radio signal, so data/packets are lost and have to be resent/retransmitted (1)
  • The network speed is lower (1) because there is more noise on the wireless signal, so data is sent at a lower transmission rate (1)
  • The throughput of the wireless network is reduced (1) because time is used resending corrupted data/packets instead of sending new data (1)

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

Award 1 mark for a statement that the speed/transfer rate is reduced (e.g. slower, takes longer), even if no reason is given.

Do not accept 'interference damages/corrupts the radio signal' or 'the signal is weaker' on its own without a link to the speed.

Do not accept 'data is lost' on its own without saying how this reduces the speed.

Do not accept 'interference increases the bandwidth' or 'interference makes the signal stronger'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Interference corrupts the radio signal, so packets are lost and resent, which makes the data transfer slower.

Why: Linked point (1): data transfer is slower; reason (1): interference corrupts the signal so packets are lost and resent.

Some marks1/2

The speed of the wireless network will be lower.

Why: Point only (1): states the effect on speed. No linked reason why interference causes this.

No marks0/2

Interference increases the bandwidth, so the data travels faster.

Why: Misconception that interference increases bandwidth; the mark scheme says not to accept this.

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 65
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 12 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Malware 8 questions

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