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Edexcel igcse CS practice questions

The document contains practice questions for IGCSE Edexcel Computer Science Paper 1, organized by syllabus topics including Problem Solving, Programming, Data, Computers, Communication and the Internet, and Emerging Trends. Each section features various types of questions aimed at assessing knowledge in algorithms, coding, data representation, network concepts, and the impact of technology. It serves as a comprehensive revision resource aligned with past paper patterns.

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9 views

Edexcel igcse CS practice questions

The document contains practice questions for IGCSE Edexcel Computer Science Paper 1, organized by syllabus topics including Problem Solving, Programming, Data, Computers, Communication and the Internet, and Emerging Trends. Each section features various types of questions aimed at assessing knowledge in algorithms, coding, data representation, network concepts, and the impact of technology. It serves as a comprehensive revision resource aligned with past paper patterns.

Uploaded by

ndl878269
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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**IGCSE Edexcel Computer Science Paper 1 Practice Questions**

**Organized by Syllabus Topics**

---

## **Table of Contents**

1. **Problem Solving**
1.1 Algorithms
1.2 Decomposition and Abstraction

2. **Programming**
2.1 Develop Code
2.2 Constructs
2.3 Data Types and Structures
2.4 Input/Output
2.5 Operators
2.6 Subprograms

3. **Data**
3.1 Binary
3.2 Data Representation
3.3 Data Storage and Compression
3.4 Encryption

4. **Computers**
4.1 Machines and Computational Modelling
4.2 Hardware
4.3 Logic
4.4 Software
4.5 Programming Languages

5. **Communication and the Internet**


5.1 Networks
5.2 Network Security
5.3 The Internet and the World Wide Web

6. **The Bigger Picture**


6.1 Emerging Trends, Issues, and Impact

---

## **1. Problem Solving**


### **1.1 Algorithms**

1. Draw a flowchart to represent a login system where the user has three attempts
to enter the correct password before the account locks. (4 marks)
2. Convert the following pseudocode into a written description:
```
SET total TO 0
FOR num FROM 1 TO 10 DO
SET total TO total + num
END FOR
SEND total TO DISPLAY
```
(3 marks)
3. Write pseudocode for an algorithm that finds the largest number in a given list.
(3 marks)
4. Explain the importance of using trace tables when debugging an algorithm. (2
marks)
5. Describe the difference between a linear search and a binary search. (3 marks)
6. Implement a selection sort algorithm in pseudocode. (4 marks)
7. What is the time complexity of a bubble sort algorithm? (2 marks)
8. Explain how recursion can be used to implement the factorial function. (3 marks)

9. Modify the given pseudocode to calculate the sum of even numbers only. (3 marks)

10. Analyze the efficiency of merge sort versus insertion sort. (4 marks)

---

## **1.2 Decomposition and Abstraction**

1. Decompose the task of calculating the average temperature over a week into three
sub-problems. (2 marks)
2. Explain how abstraction is applied in designing a self-driving car system. (3
marks)
3. Identify three benefits of problem decomposition. (3 marks)
4. Describe an example where abstraction is used in video game development. (3
marks)
5. Break down the process of online banking login into smaller components. (3
marks)
6. Explain how decomposition is applied in large software projects. (3 marks)
7. Create a flowchart to demonstrate decomposition in a recipe-following program.
(4 marks)
8. How does procedural programming support decomposition? (3 marks)
9. Define and give an example of an abstract data type (ADT). (3 marks)
10. Compare the use of abstraction in high-level and low-level programming
languages. (4 marks)

---

## **2. Programming**
### **2.1 Develop Code**

1. Identify two syntax errors in the following Python code:


```python
x = 5
if x = 5
print("Correct")
```
(2 marks)
2. Create a test plan (normal, boundary, erroneous) for a program that checks if a
number is between 1 and 100. (3 marks)
3. Write a function in pseudocode that calculates the nth Fibonacci number. (4
marks)
4. Explain the role of comments in improving code readability. (2 marks)
5. Modify the given Python code to fix the syntax errors. (2 marks)
6. Describe the difference between a syntax error and a runtime error. (3 marks)
7. Explain how debugging tools can be used to fix logical errors. (3 marks)
8. Write pseudocode for a function that counts the number of vowels in a string. (3
marks)
9. Describe the purpose of using indentation in Python. (2 marks)
10. Convert a given flowchart into a Python program. (4 marks)

---

## **Remaining Sections**
## **3. Data**
### **3.1 Binary**

1. Convert the decimal number 156 to an 8-bit binary number. (2 marks)


2. Explain why computers use binary instead of decimal. (2 marks)
3. Perform a binary addition for 101101 + 11001. Show your working. (3 marks)
4. Explain the difference between signed and unsigned binary representation. (3
marks)
5. Convert the binary number 11011011 to hexadecimal. (2 marks)
6. Perform a logical right shift on 10110011 by two places and state the result. (2
marks)
7. Explain the impact of overflow errors in binary arithmetic. (3 marks)
8. Convert the hexadecimal number 3F to binary. (2 marks)
9. Explain why two’s complement is used for representing negative numbers. (3
marks)
10. Perform a binary subtraction using two’s complement for 100110 - 001101. (4
marks)

### **3.2 Data Representation**

1. Describe how characters are stored in ASCII and Unicode. (3 marks)


2. Explain the impact of increasing the color depth in an image file. (3 marks)
3. How is sound sampled and stored in a digital system? (3 marks)
4. Calculate the file size of a 256x256 image with 8-bit color depth. (4 marks)
5. Explain the difference between lossy and lossless compression. (3 marks)
6. Describe how bit depth affects the quality of an audio file. (3 marks)
7. What is the difference between bitmap and vector images? (3 marks)
8. Explain how metadata is used in image storage. (3 marks)
9. Convert the text "Hi" into ASCII binary representation. (3 marks)
10. Why is Unicode preferred over ASCII for modern text encoding? (3 marks)

---

## **4. Computers**
### **4.1 Machines and Computational Modelling**

1. Describe the input-process-output model of a computer system. (3 marks)


2. Explain the differences between sequential, parallel, and multi-agent computing.
(3 marks)
3. How does Moore’s Law impact the development of processors? (3 marks)
4. Compare Von Neumann and Harvard architectures. (3 marks)
5. Explain the purpose of cache memory in modern processors. (3 marks)
6. Describe how virtual memory works. (3 marks)
7. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. (3 marks)
8. What are the benefits of using embedded systems? (3 marks)
9. How does a CPU execute machine code instructions? (4 marks)
10. What is pipelining in a CPU, and how does it improve performance? (4 marks)

---

## **5. Communication and the Internet**


### **5.1 Networks**

1. Explain the difference between LAN, WAN, and PAN. (3 marks)


2. What are the benefits of using a client-server network over a peer-to-peer
network? (3 marks)
3. Describe how data is transmitted in packets over a network. (3 marks)
4. Compare wired and wireless network connections. (3 marks)
5. Explain the role of protocols such as TCP/IP in networking. (3 marks)
6. Why is IPv6 necessary, and how does it differ from IPv4? (3 marks)
7. Describe the functions of a router and a switch in a network. (3 marks)
8. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of mesh topology. (3 marks)
9. How does DNS help users access websites using domain names? (3 marks)
10. What are the main differences between HTTP and HTTPS? (3 marks)

---

## **6. The Bigger Picture**


### **6.1 Emerging Trends, Issues, and Impact**

1. Explain the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. (3 marks)


2. How does quantum computing differ from classical computing? (3 marks)
3. What are the security risks of IoT (Internet of Things) devices? (3 marks)
4. Discuss the impact of social media on privacy. (3 marks)
5. Explain the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. (3 marks)
6. What is the role of machine learning in modern computing? (3 marks)
7. Describe how biometric authentication works. (3 marks)
8. What are the implications of GDPR on data privacy? (3 marks)
9. Discuss the role of big data in business decision-making. (3 marks)
10. How is cloud computing shaping the future of IT infrastructure? (3 marks)

---

---

## **Mark Distribution Analysis**

- **1–2 marks:** Definitions, conversions, simple logic.


- **3–4 marks:** Explanations, truth tables, basic algorithms.
- **5–6 marks:** Complex problem-solving, ethical debates, detailed diagrams.

These questions align with **past paper patterns** (e.g., binary/hex conversions,
algorithm design, network topologies).

---

*This document will be completed with questions covering all topics from the
syllabus, ensuring a comprehensive revision resource.*

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