Sorting and searching algorithms: Edexcel GCSE Computer Science questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Computer Science exam question on 1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms, 2022–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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210 questions

Q5(d)(i)
June 2025 · Paper 1
2 marks1.2.7 Evaluating algorithms 1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q5(d)(ii)
June 2025 · Paper 1
2 marks1.2.7 Evaluating algorithms 1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q5(e)
June 2025 · Paper 1
6 marks1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q1(f)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 1
2 marks1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q1(f)(ii)
June 2024 · Paper 1
2 marks1.2.7 Evaluating algorithms 1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q4(d)
June 2023 · Paper 1
4 marks1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q5(b)
June 2022 · Paper 1
2 marks1.2.7 Evaluating algorithms 1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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Q5(b)
Specimen · Paper 1
3 marks1.2.6 Sorting and searching algorithms
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All 8 questions on Sorting and searching algorithms, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain the worst case for a linear search on an array. (2)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the best case for a bubble sort on an array. (2)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(e) (6 marks): A binary search algorithm looks for a target in a sorted array. Here is an array of numbers. Index [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Value 11 22 33 4
June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(f)(i) (2 marks): Sorting and searching use algorithms. Complete the table with the name of a search algorithm and a sort algorithm. (2) Algorithm type Characteristic Algorithm n
June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(f)(ii) (2 marks): Explain one effect the number of comparisons has on the execution time of a sorting algorithm. (2)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(d) (4 marks): A linear search algorithm can be used on both a sorted and an unsorted array. Describe how a linear search algorithm operates on an unsorted array. (4)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(b) (2 marks): This algorithm searches a sorted array of numbers for a target value. The target value may or may not be in the array. The use of the found variable helps to ma
Specimen, Paper 1, Q5(b) (3 marks): A binary search algorithm is used with this list to find the target value ‘b’. a b c d e f g h i j k Complete the table to show the three characters in the orde

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