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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A computer can be used by more than one person.

Describe how an operating system uses access rights to protect each user's files.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each user/file is given permissions/access rights (1) so other users cannot read/write/open/change that user's files (1)
  • A user may be given read-only/read access to a file (1) so they cannot edit/delete/change it (1)
  • Each file is given permissions/access rights for different users (1) so the operating system allows/refuses access depending on which user is logged in (1)
  • The operating system checks a user's permissions/access rights when a file is opened (1) so a user with read-only/read access cannot save/delete changes (1)

Do not accept responses about asking for a password/username, as this checks who the user is, not what they are allowed to do.

Do not accept 'files are protected/safe' or 'access rights protect files' without saying how access is limited (e.g. read-only access, permissions for different users).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file, so they can open it but cannot edit or delete it.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1) and linked development that the user cannot edit/delete the file (1).

Some marks1/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1); no development saying what this prevents, such as being unable to edit/delete the file (0).

No marks0/2

The operating system asks for the password again before the file opens.

Why: Describes asking for a password, which checks who the user is, not access rights to the file; no creditworthy point.

2Explain2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

When a program closes, the operating system frees the main memory it was using.

Explain one reason why the operating system frees main memory when a program closes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The memory can be reused/allocated to another program (1) so other programs have enough main memory to run (1)
  • Freeing the memory stops main memory becoming full (1) so the computer can load/run new programs (1)
  • The closed program's data is no longer needed (1) so keeping it would waste main memory (1)
  • The operating system can give the freed memory to a program that needs more (1) so that program can continue to run (1)

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

Do not accept 'to make the computer faster' on its own without saying how freeing memory helps.

Do not accept 'to delete the program' or 'to save the program' because closing a program does not remove it from secondary storage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The memory can be reused by another program, so other programs have enough main memory to run.

Why: Linked point (1) about reusing the memory and reason (1) that other programs then have enough memory.

Some marks1/2

So that the memory is free.

Why: Gives the point (1) but does not give a linked reason saying what the free memory is used for.

No marks0/2

So the program is deleted from the computer.

Why: No creditworthy point; closing a program does not delete it from secondary storage.

3Explain2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A college computer room has computers that many students share.

Explain one reason why each student has their own user account.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each student's files/work are kept separate (1) because the operating system checks the access rights of the user who is logged in, so other students cannot open/see/change/delete them (1)
  • A student's own settings/desktop are loaded when they log in (1) because the operating system stores settings for each user account (1)
  • Students cannot install software or change system settings (1) because their user account does not have administrator privileges (1)

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

Award 1 mark for a correct point on its own, even if no linked reason is given.

Allow answers about personal settings/desktop/wallpaper being saved/loaded for that user.

Allow answers about a standard user account not having administrator privileges.

Do not accept 'so they can log in' on its own, because logging in is what the user account is for.

Do not accept 'so they can save files/work' on its own without saying other students cannot access their files.

Do not accept 'so the computer is secure' without saying what is protected or who is kept out.

Do not accept answers about stopping viruses or making the computer run faster.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each student has their own account so their files are kept separate from everyone else's. When they log in, the operating system checks their access rights, so another student cannot open or delete their work.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): files/work are kept separate because the operating system checks the logged-in user's access rights, so other students cannot open/change/delete them.

Some marks1/2

Each student's work is kept separate so they can save more files on the computer.

Why: Correct point (1) that work is kept separate, but the reason 'so they can save more files' is not linked to user management/access rights and does not say other students cannot access the files, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

So that the computer does not get a virus from other students.

Why: No credit: stopping viruses is not a reason for separate user accounts, and no user-management point or linked reason is given.

Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

Build a paper on this topic 58
Adding Binary Numbers 6 questions Binary and Hexadecimal Basics 10 questions Binary Shifts 6 questions Binary to Denary Conversion 6 questions Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Binary Conversion 6 questions Denary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Negative Binary Conversion 6 questions Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion 6 questions

2.2 Data representation

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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Embedded Systems 17 questions Fetch Decode Execute Cycle 15 questions Primary Memory 15 questions Secondary Memory 15 questions Stored Program Computers 15 questions

3.2 Software

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File Management 18 questions Memory Management 16 questions Peripheral Management 11 questions Process Management 12 questions Purpose & Function of Operating Systems 17 questions Software Basics 13 questions User Management 18 questions Utility Software 19 questions

3.3 Programming languages

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Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

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Addressing 16 questions LANs & WANs 16 questions Network Speed 5 questions Packet Switching 16 questions Protocols & Layers 17 questions The Internet 16 questions Topologies 17 questions Wired Connections 17 questions Wireless Connections 18 questions

4.2 Network security

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Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

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E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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