Memory & StorageExam Tips
Exam Tips - Binary & Hexadecimal
Part of Binary & Hex — GCSE Computer Science
This exam tips covers Exam Tips - Binary & Hexadecimal within Binary & Hex for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Binary & Hex in Memory & Storage for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 13 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 13 of 14
Practice
15 questions
Recall
22 flashcards
Exam Tips - Binary & Hexadecimal
Most common exam questions:
- "Convert X to binary" → Use place value method, show working
- "Convert binary to denary" → Add up place values where bit = 1
- "Why use hexadecimal?" → Compact/shorter than binary, easier for humans to read
- "Convert hex to binary" → Expand each hex digit to 4 bits
- "What is a bit?" → Single binary digit (0 or 1)
Key facts to memorize:
- Binary place values: 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1
- Hex letters: A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, F=15
- 1 hex digit = 4 binary bits (FF = 11111111)
- 8-bit binary range: 0-255 (00-FF in hex)
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Forgetting to show working - ALWAYS show place values!
- Reading remainders wrong direction in division method
- Mixing up hex letters (remember: A=10, F=15)
- Not padding to 4 bits when converting hex to binary (3 must be 0011, not 11)
- Saying "hexadecimal is faster" - NO! It's just a shorthand notation
Conversion strategy:
- Binary → Denary: Fastest method - add place values where bit = 1
- Denary → Binary: Use place value method (easier to show working than division)
- Hex ↔ Binary: Use 4-bit groups (fastest method!)
- Hex ↔ Denary: Convert via binary (hex→binary→denary) OR use multiplication/division by 16