Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Award one mark for any of the following:

• The operating system is needed/essential for the computer to run / utility software is optional (1)
• The operating system manages the hardware/users/resources / utility software performs housekeeping tasks that keep the system running efficiently (1)
• The operating system provides a platform for other software to run / utility software carries out extra/specific tasks (1)
• Each utility program performs one specific task / the operating system carries out many different management tasks (1)
• Utility software is often packaged with the operating system but can also be bought separately (1)

Do not accept answers that only give an example of each (e.g. Windows, anti-malware) without stating a difference.

Do not accept the operating system is hardware.

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.

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.

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

• Data is sent to/received from the correct peripheral (1) because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device (1)
• A new peripheral can be used as soon as it is connected (1) because the operating system installs/loads the correct device driver for that device (1)
• Data can be sent to a slow peripheral such as a printer (1) because the operating system stores it in a buffer/print queue until the device is ready to receive it (1)
• The user is told when a peripheral has a problem (1) because the operating system receives status information from the device and reports the error to the user (1)

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

Allow specific peripherals as the example (e.g. a mouse, a printer) provided the reason says what the operating system does.

Allow 'the operating system responds to an interrupt from a device' as a point, with the reason that the device is signalling that it needs attention/has finished its job.

Do not accept 'the operating system manages/controls the peripherals' or 'it lets the devices be used'/'the peripherals work correctly' on their own, as these repeat the question without saying what the operating system does.