Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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

• The program (and its data) is copied/loaded from secondary storage into main memory/RAM (1) so that the CPU can fetch/execute its instructions (1)
• An area of main memory is allocated/reserved for the program (1) that is large enough to hold the program and its data (1)
• The operating system checks that there is enough free main memory (1) before the program can be started/loaded, otherwise it cannot run/an error is reported (1)
• The operating system keeps a record of the memory addresses used by the program (1) so that its instructions and data can be found when it runs (1)

Allow 'loaded into RAM', 'stored in memory' and 'put into main memory' as equivalent to copied into main memory.

A single statement that the program is loaded/stored in main memory, with no linked development, can be given one mark only.

Do not accept descriptions of the CPU fetching/executing instructions that do not refer to the operating system loading or allocating memory.

Do not accept responses about virtual memory (moving processes to secondary storage) or about which process runs next on the CPU.

Do not accept the program being run from secondary storage/hard disk.

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

• Stores a username and password/user account for each user (1) so that each user must log in before they can use the computer (1)
• Stores each user's password in an encrypted form (1) so that another user cannot read it and log in as them (1)
• Sets access rights/permissions for each user (1) so that a user can only open/see their own files (1)
• Gives each user a different level of access (1) so that a system administrator can change settings that other users cannot (1)

Allow 'user accounts' as an alternative to a username and password, where a linked development is given.

Do not accept responses that only state that the operating system 'has passwords'/'has user accounts' or that 'the user logs in', with no linked development.

Do not accept responses about file management, such as creating folders or saving files, rather than user management.

Do not accept responses about keeping the computer safe from viruses, hackers or malware.

Ignore responses about the user interface.

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

• A process is created for the program (1) so that its instructions can be loaded into RAM (1)
• The process is put into the ready state (1) so that it can wait for the CPU to become available (1)
• The operating system adds the process to a queue of ready processes (1) so the scheduler can choose it when the CPU is free (1)
• The operating system allocates the resources the process needs (1) so that it can start running when it is given CPU time (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow 'main memory' for RAM.

Do not accept 'the browser is downloaded/loaded from the internet'.

Do not accept 'the program is run immediately on the CPU' without the ready step.