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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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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Describe2 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.

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 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A family shares one computer and each person has their own login.

Explain one reason why the operating system needs user management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system checks usernames/passwords at login (1) so only allowed users can access the computer (1)
  • The operating system stores a list/database of users and passwords (1) so it knows who is allowed to log in (1)
  • The operating system sets access rights/permissions for each user (1) so a user can only open/edit their own files (1)
  • The operating system restricts programs/drives/settings by user (1) so certain users cannot change them (1)
  • The operating system keeps each user's files separate (1) so one user cannot access another user's private files (1)

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

Do not accept 'so the computer is safe/secure' without saying what is protected and from whom.

Do not accept answers that say user management makes the computer faster.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It sets access rights for each user so each person can only open their own files.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): access rights and file privacy.

Some marks1/2

It checks the username and password at login.

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

No marks0/2

It makes the computer faster because more users can log in.

Why: Misconception: user management is not for improving speed; no creditworthy point.

Questions by topic

5.3 Cybersecurity

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