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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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10 questions · 17 marks

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1Short recall1 markBinary and Hexadecimal Basics Swap Remove

Computers use binary patterns to represent data.

State the number of different values that can be represented by a 4-bit binary pattern.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 16 (1)

Allow 2^4, 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 or any expression that evaluates to 16.

Allow sixteen (in words).

Do not accept 15.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

16

Why: Correct number of different values for a 4-bit binary pattern (1).

No marks0/1

32

Why: Gives the number of values for a 5-bit pattern, not a 4-bit pattern, so no creditworthy point is present.

No marks0/1

15

Why: Gives the largest value a 4-bit pattern can hold, not the number of different values; the mark scheme does not accept 15.

2Convert1 markBinary to Denary Conversion Swap Remove

Computers manipulate binary patterns.

Convert the binary pattern 1010 0100 to denary.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 164 (1)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

164

Why: Correct: 128 + 32 + 4 = 164 (1).

No marks0/1

37

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.

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.

4Short recall2 marksBinary and Hexadecimal Basics Swap Remove

A computer stores a photograph as a binary pattern.

State two reasons why computers use binary to represent data.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Computer components/hardware have two states, on and off (1)
  • Digital circuits/switches/transistors have two stable states (1)
  • Two states are easy to distinguish/detect reliably (1)
  • Fewer errors occur because only two voltage levels need to be recognised (1)
  • Binary is simple to implement in hardware because only two states/two voltage levels are needed (1)
  • Binary is cheaper to build than a system with more states, as fewer components/levels are needed (1)

Award a maximum of one mark for reasons about reliability/errors, however they are phrased (e.g. 'two states are easy to distinguish' and 'less chance of error' are the same reason).

Do not accept 'it is simple' or 'it is cheap' without a justification.

Do not accept 'computers only understand 1s and 0s' on its own.

Do not accept a restatement of the stem or of the question, e.g. 'computers use binary to store data' or 'because that is how data is stored', with no reason given.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Computer components are switches that have two states, on and off. Two states are easy to tell apart, so there is less chance of error.

Why: Gives two creditworthy reasons: components have two on/off states (1) and two states are easy to distinguish (1). The 'less chance of error' comment is the same reliability reason, so it does not earn a third mark but the first two stand.

Some marks1/2

Computers use switches that are either on or off.

Why: Gives one creditworthy reason: hardware/components have two on/off states (1). No second reason.

No marks0/2

Computers only understand 1s and 0s.

Why: This is a vague statement, not a reason why binary is used; the mark scheme does not accept it on its own.

5Describe2 marksBinary and Hexadecimal Basics Swap Remove

Computers are built from electronic circuits.

Describe the purpose of using binary to represent data in a computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The circuits/switches inside a computer can only be in one of two states, on or off (1) so a bit with the values 1 and 0 can represent each of these states (1)
  • Electronic components have two states, such as a high or low voltage (1) so only two symbols can be stored reliably (1)
  • A binary digit has only two possible values, 0 and 1 (1) so all data (numbers, text, sound, graphics, instructions) can be stored as a pattern of these two values (1)
  • The two states are clearly different, e.g. a high voltage and a low voltage (1) so data is less likely to be misread (1)
  • Data is stored and processed by components that can only hold two states (1) so all data must be converted into 1s and 0s before it can be processed (1)

Do not accept responses that only state that computers use/understand 0s and 1s, e.g. 'computers only understand binary', or that repeat the question.

For the 'misread' point, accept a description of the clear difference between the two states, such as high/low voltage or on/off. Do not accept a claim that binary is 'more accurate' on its own.

Do not accept reasons about hexadecimal being shorter or easier to read, as these do not explain why binary is used.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The circuits in a computer can only be in one of two states, on or off. A bit has two possible values, 1 and 0, so each bit can represent one of these two states.

Why: Circuits have two states (1) linked to a bit having the values 1 and 0 to represent them (1).

Some marks1/2

A binary digit has only two possible values, 0 and 1.

Why: Gives the point that a bit has two values (1) but does not develop it by linking it to the two states of a circuit or switch.

No marks0/2

Computers use binary because hexadecimal numbers are too large for a computer to store.

Why: Misconception about hexadecimal and storage size; no creditworthy point about the two states of a computer's circuits.

6Convert2 marksDenary to Hexadecimal Conversion Swap Remove

Computers manipulate binary patterns.

Convert the denary number 90 to hexadecimal.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 5 (1)
  • A (1)

Answer: 5A

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

5A

Why: 90 ÷ 16 = 5 remainder 10, so the digits are 5 and A: both digits are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

510

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

No marks0/2

A5

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.

8Convert2 marksDenary to Negative Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Binary, denary and hexadecimal patterns represent numbers.

Convert the denary number -46 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)
  • 0010 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1101 0010

Why: 46 is 00101110; flip the bits (11010001) and add 1: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1101 0001

Why: Flips the bits of 46 but doesn't add 1. The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

1010 1110

Why: Uses sign and magnitude (a 1 in front of 46) instead of two's complement. Neither nibble is correct.

9Convert2 marksHexadecimal to Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Binary patterns can represent numbers.

Convert the hexadecimal number D3 to 8-bit binary.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • 1101 (1)
  • 0011 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1101 0011

Why: Each digit is 4 bits: D = 1101, 3 = 0011 (2).

Some marks1/2

1101 0100

Why: Converts 3 as if it were the next digit up. The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0011 1101

Why: The nibbles are in the wrong order. Neither nibble is correct.

10Calculate2 marksAdding Binary Numbers Swap Remove

Binary patterns can represent numbers.

Complete the table to show the result of the 8-bit binary addition.

[2 marks]
1286432168421
10010110
01011100
Mark scheme

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

  • 1111 (1)
  • 0010 (1)

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

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1111 0010

Why: 150 + 92 = 242, carrying where a column adds to 2: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1111 0011

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

No marks0/2

1101 1110

Why: Writes 1 in every column with a 1 and never carries. 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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