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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 659 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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4 questions · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A home computer can have more than one user account.

Name two tasks carried out by the user 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:

  • Creating/deleting user accounts (1)
  • Storing usernames and passwords (1)
  • Checking login details/authenticating a user at login (1)
  • Setting access rights/permissions for each user, e.g. restricting which files/folders/programs/drives they can access (1)

Allow logging in as an example of checking login details.

Do not accept managing users on its own.

Do not accept provides a user interface, as this is not user management.

Do not accept managing files or managing processes, as these are other functions.

Do not accept stopping hackers/protecting from malware, as this is security, not user management.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It stores usernames and passwords and sets access rights for each user.

Why: Storing usernames and passwords (1) and setting access rights (1) are two different user management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It checks the password at login and manages users.

Why: Checking a password at login earns (1); managing users repeats the question and earns nothing.

No marks0/2

It manages users and stops hackers accessing the computer.

Why: Managing users repeats the question; stopping hackers is security, not user management.

2Short recall2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

Every computer system needs an operating system.

State two functions of an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • File management (1)
  • Process management (1)
  • Peripheral management (1)
  • User management (1)

Allow 'managing files', 'managing processes', 'managing peripherals', 'managing users'.

Do not accept examples of utility software, such as anti-malware, backup or defragmentation, as these are not functions of the operating system.

Do not accept 'runs/loads the programs' on its own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

File management and process management.

Why: Two creditworthy functions from the list, one mark each (1) + (1).

Some marks1/2

It does file management and it loads the programs that the user wants to run.

Why: File management earns one mark (1); 'loads the programs' is not one of the listed functions, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

Anti-malware and backup.

Why: These are examples of utility software, not functions of the operating system, so no mark is awarded.

3Describe2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A computer is connected to a new games controller.

Describe the purpose of a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A device driver is software/program (1) that controls a peripheral device (1)
  • It translates instructions from the operating system (1) into commands/signals the device understands (1)
  • It allows the operating system to communicate with a specific device (1) without needing to know the device's hardware details (1)
  • It is installed for a new device (1) so the operating system can use that device (1)

Do not accept responses that say a device driver is hardware or that it makes a device faster.

Do not award 'it is part of the CPU'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A device driver is a program that controls a peripheral device. It translates instructions from the operating system into commands the device understands.

Why: Gives the linked description: software/program (1) that controls a peripheral (1).

Some marks1/2

It translates instructions from the operating system.

Why: Gives the first point (1) but does not develop it into commands/signals the device understands.

No marks0/2

A device driver is a piece of hardware that connects the controller to the computer.

Why: No credit: says a device driver is hardware, which the mark scheme does not accept.

4Explain2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer stores many files on its hard drive.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs file management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored (1) so files can be found/retrieved later (1)
  • The operating system keeps files in separate storage locations (1) so files are not overwritten/lost (1)
  • The operating system allocates files to folders/directories (1) so it can keep track of the files stored on the disk (1)
  • The operating system deletes/moves files (1) so storage space is freed/reused (1)

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

Do not accept 'it manages files'/'it organises files' without expansion as to what is managed or organised.

Do not accept 'so files are managed/organised' as the linked reason.

Do not accept 'so the computer works' as the linked reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk, so a program can find and open the file later.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): record of file location and retrieval.

Some marks1/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason given.

No marks0/2

The operating system manages the files so the files are managed.

Why: Repeats the question ('manages files') and the expansion restates the point ('so the files are managed'); no creditworthy point under the Do not accept lines.

Questions by topic

5.3 Cybersecurity

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