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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Short recall2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

An operating system manages the files stored on a computer.

State two ways the operating system manages where files are stored on the disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Decides/allocates which part/space on the disk a file is written to (1)
  • Keeps an index/record of the location of each file so that it can be found/retrieved (1)
  • Prevents a file from being overwritten by another file (1)
  • Checks there is enough free space on the disk before a file is saved (1)

Allow 'file allocation table' for keeping an index/record of file locations

Only award one mark for answers that say the operating system decides/allocates where a file is stored or allocates free space on the disk

Do not accept defragmentation

Do not accept 'stores files', 'saves files' or 'backs up files' (these only repeat the stem)

Do not accept 'organises files into folders' on its own

Do not accept scheduling processes or managing peripherals

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It keeps an index of where each file is stored so it can be found again, and it stops a new file overwriting an existing file.

Why: Keeps an index of file locations so files can be retrieved (1) and prevents a file being overwritten (1).

Some marks1/2

It keeps a record of where each file is stored.

Why: Keeps an index/record of file locations (1), but does not give a second way.

No marks0/2

It saves files on the hard disk and organises them into folders.

Why: 'Saves files' only repeats the stem and 'organises files into folders' on its own is not accepted, so no creditworthy point is given.

2Short recall2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A computer can be shared by more than one user.

Define the term user management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Manages user accounts/profiles/logins (1)
  • Authenticates users when they log in (through passwords/biometrics) (1)
  • Controls what each user is allowed to access (access rights/permissions) (1)
  • Sets which files/folders/resources a user can use (1)
  • Gives different levels of access to different users (e.g. administrator/standard user) (1)

Allow 'decides which users can use the computer' for the manage user accounts/logins mark.

Allow references to access to files/folders/resources for the access rights mark, as this is part of user management, not file management.

Do not accept 'manages users' on its own.

Do not accept 'controls user access' on its own, as it is unclear whether this means logging in or access rights.

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'manages peripherals' (these are other operating system functions).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system manages user accounts and logins, and sets access rights so each user can only use certain files and resources.

Why: Manages user accounts/logins (1) and controls what each user is allowed to access through access rights (1).

Some marks1/2

It manages the users who can log in to the computer.

Why: Manages user logins (1); no creditworthy point about access rights/permissions.

No marks0/2

It manages the files and peripherals for different users.

Why: File management and peripheral management are other operating system functions, so neither mark is earned.

3Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A hard disk can become fragmented as files are saved and deleted.

Describe how disk defragmentation software improves the performance of a hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Parts of a file are moved so they are stored together/in consecutive locations (1) so the read/write head has less distance to travel to read the file (1)
  • Files are rearranged so that each file is stored in one block (1) which reduces the time taken to open/load the file (1)
  • Free space on the disk is collected into one area (1) so new files can be saved without becoming fragmented (1)
  • The parts of each fragmented file are put in order (1) so fewer movements of the read/write head are needed to read it (1)

Do not accept responses about compressing files, deleting files or increasing the amount of storage, as these are not what defragmentation software does.

Do not accept 'it makes the disk faster' without saying how the files are changed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It moves the parts of a file so they are stored together in consecutive locations, so the read/write head does not have to move as far and the file opens more quickly.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): the file parts are stored together, which reduces read/write head movement.

Some marks1/2

It reorganises the files on the hard disk so that they are stored together.

Why: The point is made (1) but there is no development saying how this improves performance, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It compresses the files so that they take up less space on the disk.

Why: This describes data compression software, which the mark scheme says is not accepted; no creditworthy point is made.

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

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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