Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Award one mark for any of the following:

• To make/keep a copy of files/data (1)
• To store the copy separately from the original, e.g. on a different device/in a different location (1)
• So that data can be restored if the original is lost/damaged/corrupted (1)

Do not accept "to save files" on its own, as saving is normal file management and does not make a separate copy.

Do not accept answers that describe a different utility, such as scanning for malware/viruses (anti-malware software).

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

• Deciding which process runs next on the CPU/scheduling processes (1)
• Allocating processor/CPU time to processes/allowing multitasking (1)
• Managing the process life-cycle/process states (ready, running, blocked) (1)
• Handling interrupts so a running process is suspended and another can run (1)
• Stopping/terminating a process when it has finished (1)

Do not accept 'managing processes' on its own.

Do not accept 'handling interrupts' on its own.

Do not award two marks for the same task expressed twice, e.g. 'deciding which process runs next' and 'scheduling processes', or 'allocating CPU time' and 'giving each process a share of processor time'.

Do not accept 'managing memory/memory management', 'managing files/file management' or 'managing devices/peripherals' (these are other functions of an operating system).

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.

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

• Manages user accounts/profiles/logins (1)
• Authenticates users when they log in (through passwords/biometrics) (1)
• Controls what each user is allowed to access (access rights/permissions) (1)
• Sets which files/folders/resources a user can use (1)
• Gives different levels of access to different users (e.g. administrator/standard user) (1)

Allow 'decides which users can use the computer' for the manage user accounts/logins mark.

Allow references to access to files/folders/resources for the access rights mark, as this is part of user management, not file management.

Do not accept 'manages users' on its own.

Do not accept 'controls user access' on its own, as it is unclear whether this means logging in or access rights.

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'manages peripherals' (these are other operating system functions).

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).

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.

Indicative content

User accounts

• Each student and teacher should have their own user account, so the operating system can identify the person who is logged on.
• The operating system keeps a record of all valid users on the computer, so unknown users are not allowed to log in.
• A separate home area or folder can be created for each account, so a student's saved work is kept apart from other users' work.
• An account can be disabled when a student leaves the school, so they can no longer access the computers.

Authentication

• A username and password can be required at login, so only users with the correct details can use the computer.
• The operating system checks the entered password against the stored password for that account before allowing access.
• Users should be encouraged to choose a strong password, which makes it harder for someone else to guess and log in.
• The operating system can lock an account after several failed login attempts, which reduces the chance of someone trying passwords repeatedly.

Benefits for the school

• Many students can share the same computers because each person's files are kept separate.
• Work is less likely to be deleted or changed by another student, because users only see their own files.
• The school can see which account was used on a computer, so misuse can be traced to a user.
• Teachers can be confident that only authorised people can use the library computers.
• The school does not need a separate computer for every student, so it saves money.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover both user accounts and authentication, and apply them to the school library.

Do not accept general operating system functions such as file management or process management unless they are explicitly linked to managing users.