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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Paper 1 practice questions

Paper 1 is worth 50% of Edexcel GCSE Computer Science. The questions below are original practice questions with worked answers, so you can test yourself the way the real exam will — and see exactly what an examiner is looking for.

What is on Paper 1?

  • Paper 1 covers principles of computer science.
  • It is a written paper of 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 75 marks — 50% of the GCSE.
  • Questions are a mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer extended responses.
  • Always check the latest specification on your exam board's website, as details can change between exam years.

Paper 1 practice questions with answers

16 original questions across the 8 Paper 1 topics. Try each one before reading the answer.

  1. Edexcel Computer Science: papers and exam technique

    1. What is decomposition?

    • • Making code run faster
    • • Breaking a problem into smaller parts
    • • Removing all comments from code
    • • Testing a program with fake data

    Answer: Breaking a problem into smaller parts

    Decomposition means splitting a large problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems.

  2. Edexcel Computer Science: papers and exam technique

    2. What is abstraction in computational thinking?

    • • Adding extra detail to a problem
    • • Removing unnecessary detail to focus on what matters
    • • Writing code in a foreign language
    • • Testing every possible input

    Answer: Removing unnecessary detail to focus on what matters

    Abstraction focuses on the relevant features of a problem and ignores irrelevant detail.

  3. Data representation: binary, hex, images and sound

    3. How many bits are in a byte?

    • • 4
    • • 8
    • • 16
    • • 32

    Answer: 8

    A byte is defined as 8 bits.

  4. Data representation: binary, hex, images and sound

    4. How many bits are in a nibble?

    • • 2
    • • 4
    • • 8
    • • 16

    Answer: 4

    A nibble is half a byte, or 4 bits.

  5. Computer systems and CPU architecture

    5. What does CPU stand for?

    • • Central Processing Unit
    • • Computer Processing Unit
    • • Central Program Unit
    • • Control Processing Unit

    Answer: Central Processing Unit

    CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.

  6. Computer systems and CPU architecture

    6. Which register holds the address of the next instruction to fetch?

    • • MDR
    • • MAR
    • • Program Counter
    • • Accumulator

    Answer: Program Counter

    The PC always holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched.

  7. Memory and storage

    7. Which type of memory is volatile?

    • • ROM
    • • RAM
    • • Hard disk
    • • Optical disc

    Answer: RAM

    RAM loses its contents when the power is switched off.

  8. Memory and storage

    8. What is stored in ROM on most computers?

    • • User documents
    • • Startup instructions like the BIOS
    • • Currently running programs
    • • Downloaded files

    Answer: Startup instructions like the BIOS

    ROM holds essential permanent startup instructions.

  9. Networks and network topologies

    9. What does LAN stand for?

    • • Local Area Network
    • • Large Area Network
    • • Linked Access Node
    • • Long Address Network

    Answer: Local Area Network

    LAN stands for Local Area Network, covering a small geographic area.

  10. Networks and network topologies

    10. Which network spans a wide geographic area, often using third-party infrastructure?

    • • LAN
    • • PAN
    • • WAN
    • • VLAN

    Answer: WAN

    A WAN connects LANs over large distances, often using leased telecom lines.

  11. Network and cyber security

    11. What is malware?

    • • Software that improves performance
    • • Malicious software designed to harm or exploit systems
    • • A type of firewall
    • • A network protocol

    Answer: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit systems

    Malware is any software created to cause damage or gain unauthorised access.

  12. Network and cyber security

    12. Which malware type requires a host file to spread?

    • • Worm
    • • Virus
    • • Ransomware
    • • Spyware

    Answer: Virus

    A virus attaches to a file and spreads when that file is executed.

  13. Algorithms: searching, sorting and efficiency

    13. Which searching algorithm requires the list to be sorted?

    • • Linear search
    • • Binary search
    • • Bubble sort
    • • Insertion sort

    Answer: Binary search

    Binary search relies on halving a sorted list, so the list must already be sorted.

  14. Algorithms: searching, sorting and efficiency

    14. What is the time complexity of linear search in the worst case?

    Answer: O(n)

    Linear search may need to check every item, giving O(n) worst-case complexity.

  15. Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts

    15. Which Act controls how organisations collect and use personal data in the UK?

    • • Computer Misuse Act 1990
    • • Data Protection Act 2018
    • • Freedom of Information Act
    • • Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

    Answer: Data Protection Act 2018

    This Act, aligned with UK GDPR, governs the handling of personal data.

  16. Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts

    16. Which Act makes hacking and unauthorised access to computer systems illegal?

    Answer: Computer Misuse Act 1990

    This Act criminalises unauthorised access, modification and impairment of computer systems.

Where Paper 1 marks are usually lost

  • Giving vague definitions — examiners want the precise technical term.
  • Losing marks in trace tables by skipping rows or misreading loop conditions.
  • Writing code or pseudocode that ignores the exact input and output the question asks for.
  • Answering 'explain' questions with a single fact instead of a fact plus a reason.
  • Mixing up binary, denary and hexadecimal conversions under time pressure.

How to pick up the extended-answer marks

  • Underline the command word and the focus of the question before writing — most dropped marks come from answering a different question.
  • Plan for one or two minutes: three or four points, each backed by evidence and explained.
  • Keep linking back to the question in every paragraph, not just the conclusion.
  • For 'evaluate' or 'how far do you agree' questions, weigh both sides and finish with a clear judgement.

Timing that works under pressure

  • Check the marks per question and give each one time in proportion, keeping spare minutes for checking at the end.
  • Bank the short questions first, then return to the longer answers with your remaining time.
  • If a question stalls for more than two minutes, write down what you know and move on — partial marks still count.
  • Leave five minutes to check spelling of key terms, units and whether any question part was skipped over a page break.

Practise the whole paper in the app

These Paper 1 topics have 615 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.

Open GCSE Computer Science Cram mode

Revise each Paper 1 topic

Edexcel Computer Science Paper 1 FAQs

What topics are on Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Paper 1?
Paper 1 assesses data, computers, networks, algorithms and issues and impact.
How long is Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Paper 1?
It is a 1 hour 30 minutes written exam worth 75 marks, which is 50% of the GCSE. Check your board's latest specification for any changes.
How should I revise for Computer Science Paper 1?
Practise answering questions rather than rereading notes. Short daily sets of five questions per topic, marked straight away, expose weak areas faster than a long passive revision session.

ReviseRush is an independent educational revision aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Pearson or any exam board. All notes and questions are original. Always check content against your official course and specification. No grade outcome is guaranteed.