Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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

• Receives input from/sends output to peripheral devices (1)
• Communicates with/controls a peripheral using its device driver, including installing the driver for a new device (1)
• Manages the print queue/buffer so that print jobs are sent to the printer in turn (1)
• Reports the status of a device/a device error to the user, e.g. out of paper (1)

Allow answers that name a specific peripheral, as long as they also say what the operating system does with it, e.g. 'it controls the printer using its driver'.

Do not accept 'manages peripherals'/'controls the hardware' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'managing files' or 'managing users' (file management and user management are other functions of an operating system).

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:

• A storage limit/quota is set for each user account (1) so the drive is shared fairly between users (1)
• The operating system records how much space each user's files are using (1) and refuses to save more files when the limit is reached (1)
• Each user is given a fixed share/quota of the drive (1) so one user cannot use the space set aside for another (1)

Allow a limit set by an administrator or through the operating system's user management settings; an administrator is not required for credit.

Allow a warning that stops the save; do not award the development for a warning alone where the save is not stopped.

Do not accept responses about passwords/authentication, keeping files separate/folders with no storage limit, deleting old files, compressing files, or buying a larger drive.

Do not accept 'the operating system gives the user a bigger hard drive'.

Do not accept a single global limit for all users; the limit must apply to each user/user account.

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

• The CPU can only execute one process at a time (1) so the operating system must decide which process runs next (1)
• Each process needs CPU time (1) so the operating system must share the CPU between processes (1)
• One process could use the CPU for too long (1) so the operating system must give other processes a turn (1)
• A process may be waiting for a resource or user input (1) so the operating system can run another process that is ready (1)
• The user wants to run more than one program (1) so the operating system must manage which process uses the CPU and when (1)

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

Allow 'program' for 'process'.

Do not accept 'to manage processes' / 'so processes are managed' without a reason.

Do not accept answers about managing files, memory or peripherals.