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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 9 marks

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1Short recall1 markUtility Software Swap Remove

A file may become corrupted and cannot be opened.

State the purpose of file repair software.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • To repair/recover corrupted/damaged files so they can be opened/used again (1)
  • To recover as much of the data as possible from a damaged file (1)
  • To reconstruct parts of a damaged file (1)

Allow "to fix corrupted files".

Do not accept "to repair the hard disk" (disk repair).

Do not accept "to recover deleted files" (file repair recovers corrupted/damaged files, not deleted ones).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

To repair corrupted files so they can be opened again.

Why: Repair corrupted files so they can be used again (1).

No marks0/1

To repair the hard disk.

Why: Hard disk repair is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

No marks0/1

To recover files that have been deleted.

Why: Recovering deleted files is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

2Describe2 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

The operating system creates a process when a program is opened.

Describe what the operating system does when it creates a process.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Allocates memory/RAM to the process (1) so its instructions and data can be stored (1)
  • Loads/moves the program instructions into RAM (1) so the process is ready to run (1)
  • Adds the process to the ready queue (1) so it can be scheduled onto the CPU (1)
  • Gives the process a process ID (PID)/identifier (1) so the operating system can track/manage it (1)

For both marks, the development must follow/be linked to the point.

Only award one of the first two bullets in any one response; allocating memory and loading into RAM are the same stage.

Accept 'memory' for 'RAM' and vice versa.

Accept 'added to a queue for the processor' for the ready queue point.

Do not accept responses that say the process is run on the CPU straight away.

Do not accept descriptions of the program executing/running its instructions, or of the program file being created/saved.

Do not accept responses about the process being blocked or terminated.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It allocates memory to the process so its instructions and data can be stored.

Why: Allocates memory to the process (1) linked to storing its instructions and data (1).

Some marks1/2

It loads the program into RAM.

Why: Gives the creditworthy point that the program instructions are loaded into RAM (1), but does not develop the point.

No marks0/2

It runs the program on the CPU straight away.

Why: A newly created process is not normally run immediately; it becomes ready. This is explicitly not accepted, so no marks.

3Discuss6 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

A dental practice has a network of computers used by receptionists, dentists and managers. Patient records are stored in shared folders and staff have different levels of access.

Discuss how the operating system's file management and user management support the dental practice.

Your answer should consider:

  • file management
  • user management
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

File management

  • The operating system organises the practice's patient records into folders, so staff can find a patient's record quickly during an appointment.
  • It carries out file operations such as saving, moving, renaming and deleting, so a dentist can save updated notes to the correct record.
  • It sets permissions on shared folders and files, so that only authorised staff, such as dentists, can open a patient's clinical records; this reduces the risk of confidential records being seen by the wrong staff.
  • It can give read-only access to some files, so receptionists can view appointment details but cannot change clinical notes.
  • It shows the size of files and the free space on the practice's shared storage, so managers can see when more storage is needed for records.

User management

  • The operating system creates a user account for each member of staff, with a username and password, so that each person has their own access to the system.
  • It allocates access rights to each account, so receptionists, dentists and managers each see only the folders and files their role needs.
  • It allows accounts to be grouped by role, so a new dentist can be given the same permissions as the existing dentists quickly instead of setting each one by hand.
  • It can require strong passwords, which makes it harder for one member of staff to log on using another person's account and open patient records.
  • It can disable or delete an account when a member of staff leaves, so that they can no longer open patient records.

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 file management and user management and develop how each supports the practice, for example linking permissions to who can open patient records. Answers that only state basic, undeveloped points such as 'the operating system puts files in folders' or 'users have a username and password', with little reference to the practice, are limited to Level 1 (maximum 2 marks).

Do not accept backup, disk defragmentation or anti-malware software as operating system file management, or encryption, as these are outside the operating system's file management; they are utility software or security measures.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The operating system's file management lets the practice keep each patient's records in folders, and it carries out the saving, moving and deleting of those files, so a dentist can add notes to the right record after an appointment. File management also sets permissions on the shared folders, so receptionists can be given read-only access to appointment details but cannot change clinical notes, while dentists have write access. This reduces the risk of confidential patient records being seen or changed by the wrong staff. User management supports this because the operating system gives every member of staff their own account with a username and password, so anything done to a record can be traced to the person who did it. Accounts can be grouped by role, so when the practice takes on a new dentist the account can be given the same rights as the other dentists quickly rather than setting each permission by hand. When a member of staff leaves, their account can be disabled so they can no longer open patient records. Together this means the practice can share records across reception, dentists and managers while each person only reaches what their role needs.

Why: Level 3: both file management (folders, saving, permissions, read-only access) and user management (accounts, grouping by role, disabling accounts) are covered and developed, with sustained reasoning linking them to the practice's shared records and staff access.

Some marks2/6

File management puts the patient records into folders so they can be found. User management gives each member of staff a username and password so they can log on to the computer.

Why: Level 1: two basic, independent points, one on each area, with little development and little application to how they support the practice, so it is capped by the Level 1 guidance at 2 marks.

Some marks1/6

File management is when the operating system backs up all the files every night. User management is when the computer has a username so it stops viruses.

Why: Level 1 (1 mark): backup is not accepted as operating system file management, but the basic point that a user account has a username is creditworthy; the claim that it stops viruses is not creditworthy.

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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