Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) exam questions

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3 questions · 10 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer can run more than one process at a time.

Give two tasks carried out by the process management function of an operating system.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

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

Deciding which process runs next on the CPU/scheduling processes (1)
Allocating processor/CPU time to processes/allowing multitasking (1)
Managing the process life-cycle/process states (ready, running, blocked) (1)
Handling interrupts so a running process is suspended and another can run (1)
Stopping/terminating a process when it has finished (1)

Do not accept 'managing processes' on its own.

Do not accept 'handling interrupts' on its own.

Do not award two marks for the same task expressed twice, e.g. 'deciding which process runs next' and 'scheduling processes', or 'allocating CPU time' and 'giving each process a share of processor time'.

Do not accept 'managing memory/memory management', 'managing files/file management' or 'managing devices/peripherals' (these are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

Deciding which process runs next on the CPU and stopping a process when it has finished.

Why: Scheduling a process (1) and terminating a process (1) are two different named tasks.

Some marks1/2

Deciding which process runs next and scheduling processes.

Why: Both points are the same task expressed twice, so only one mark is awarded under the guidance.

No marks0/2

Managing processes and managing files.

Why: 'Managing processes' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'managing files' is file management, not process management, so it is not credited.

2Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A school laptop is shared by several teachers.

Describe the purpose of giving each teacher their own user account on the laptop.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

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

Each teacher can keep their own files/desktop separate (1) so other teachers cannot see or change their work (1)
Each teacher's work is saved under their own account (1) so they can find their files easily when they log in (1)
The operating system knows which teacher is logged in (1) so it can apply the right access rights to that person (1)
Each teacher can set up their own desktop/settings (1) so the laptop is set up the way they like to work (1)

Do not accept responses about the laptop running faster or having more storage because it has more accounts.

Do not accept 'so they can log in' without saying why having separate accounts helps.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

Each teacher's files are stored separately, so other teachers cannot open or change their work.

Why: Separate files for each account (1) and other teachers kept out of that work (1).

Some marks1/2

So that each teacher has their own files.

Why: First point of separate files per account (1), but no development of what this achieves (0).

No marks0/2

So the laptop runs faster because each teacher has their own account.

Why: Gives speed as a purpose of user accounts, which is not correct for user management; no creditworthy point.

3Discuss6 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A charity has 15 laptops used by staff and volunteers. Staff often download files from the internet and open email attachments. The charity's manager is considering installing anti-malware software on every laptop.

Discuss the use of anti-malware software to protect the charity's computers.

Your answer should consider:

how malware could affect the charity's computers
how anti-malware software finds and deals with malware
what else the charity must do for the anti-malware software to be effective

[6 marks]

Mark scheme

Indicative content

How malware could affect the charity's computers

A virus could damage or delete the charity's files, such as its records of donations.
Spyware could record keystrokes and send staff passwords or personal data to a hacker.
A Trojan horse could hide malicious code inside a useful-looking program that a volunteer downloads, so it is installed without the user knowing.
Malware could spread from one laptop to another through files shared on the charity's network, so more laptops become infected and more files are lost.

How anti-malware software finds and deals with malware

It scans files and compares their code with a database of known malware patterns (signatures) to identify a match.
It can apply rules (heuristics) to decide whether a program is behaving suspiciously.
A suspicious file can be run in a sandbox to see whether its behaviour is malicious.
When malware is found, the file is quarantined so that it cannot run, and it can be deleted.
Downloads and email attachments can be scanned before a member of staff opens them.

What else the charity must do for the anti-malware software to be effective

The database of malware definitions must be kept up to date, or new malware will not be recognised.
Staff and volunteers should be trained not to open unexpected attachments or download from unreliable sites.
Backups are still needed, because anti-malware cannot repair files that malware has already damaged.
Scheduled scans must be allowed to run on all 15 laptops, so that malware is found even if no one opens the file.

Levels

Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover both how malware could affect the computers and how anti-malware software finds or deals with it; a brief deal-with point and an unexplained update point, with no identification method and no effect on the charity's files, are Level 1.

Do not accept anti-malware software described as a firewall, or 'scans files'/'finds viruses' on its own as a method of identifying malware.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks6/6

A virus could spread through the files the volunteers download and delete the charity's donation records, and spyware could record staff keystrokes and send passwords to a hacker. The anti-malware software would scan each laptop, including downloaded files and email attachments, and compare their code with a database of known malware patterns. If a match is found, the file is quarantined so that it cannot run, and it can then be deleted, so one infected laptop is less likely to pass malware to the other 14. The database of definitions must be kept up to date, because new malware will not be recognised by an old database. The manager should also train staff not to open unexpected attachments, and keep backups, because anti-malware cannot repair files that have already been damaged.

Why: Level 3: the effects of a virus and spyware are applied to the charity's laptops and records, and signature comparison, quarantine and deletion are explained and linked to stopping the spread (AO1/AO2), with accurate limits on what the software can do.

Some marks2/6

The anti-malware software scans the laptops and finds viruses. When it finds one it deletes the file so the laptop is safe. The charity should keep the software updated.

Why: Level 1 (2 marks): basic, independent points are made — deleting the infected file and keeping the software updated — but there is no identification method (signatures, heuristics or a sandbox), no explanation of how malware could affect the charity, and little linkage or application.

No marks0/6

The anti-malware software is a firewall that stops hackers getting into the laptops from the internet, and it scans the files for viruses.

Why: Level 0: describing anti-malware as a firewall is a misconception and is not credited, and bare 'scans the files for viruses' is not accepted on its own as a method of identifying malware, so there is no rewardable content.

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

2.2 Data representation

2.3 Data storage and compression

3.1 Hardware

3.2 Software

3.3 Programming languages

4.1 Networks

4.2 Network security

5.1 Environmental

5.2 Ethical and legal

5.3 Cybersecurity

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