Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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

• The start and end address/size of the block allocated to each program is recorded (1) so the operating system knows which areas of main memory are in use and which are free (1)
• The record is checked before memory is allocated (1) so memory already in use is not given to another program/is not overwritten (1)
• The record is searched for a free block that is large enough (1) so a newly loaded program is placed in a suitable area of main memory (1)
• The record is updated when a program ends/closes (1) so the memory it was using is marked as free for other programs (1)

Allow the record to be called a memory map/memory table/allocation table.

A response that only says the operating system keeps a record/list of the memory each program is using, without saying what the record contains, earns 0 marks.

A response that states what the record contains, e.g. the addresses/the start and end address of each block, earns 1 mark even if it does not say how the record is used.

Do not accept responses about saving programs/files to secondary storage or about moving programs to virtual memory, as these are not uses of this record.

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.