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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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1Short recall2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

Anti-malware software helps keep a computer secure.

State two functions of anti-malware software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Scans files/downloads/the computer/system for malware (1)
  • Compares files/code against a database of known malware/signatures/definitions (1)
  • Quarantines/removes/deletes infected/suspicious files/malware (1)
  • Prevents/blocks malware from running/being installed (1)
  • Updates the database of malware definitions/signatures (1)

Allow removes/deletes malware for the quarantines/removes bullet.

Do not award both quarantining and removing infected files as two separate functions; they are one function.

Do not award both scanning and preventing/blocking malware if the answer describes real-time scanning that blocks malware; award one only.

Do not accept protects the computer on its own.

Do not accept defragments the disk or backs up files.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It scans files for malware and quarantines any infected files.

Why: Scans files for malware (1) and quarantines infected files (1).

Some marks1/2

It scans the computer for viruses.

Why: Scanning the computer for malware/viruses (1); no second function.

No marks0/2

It defragments the hard disk so files open more quickly.

Why: Defragmentation is a different utility and does not scan for, quarantine or remove malware; no mark.

2Short recall2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

Utility software helps to keep a computer system running efficiently.

State two examples of utility software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • File repair (software) (1)
  • Backup (software) (1)
  • Data compression (software) (1)
  • Disk defragmentation (software) (1)
  • Anti-malware (software) (1)

Allow antivirus software.

Do not accept file management, process management, peripheral management or user management, as these are functions of the operating system.

Do not accept operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) or application software (e.g. word processor, web browser).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Anti-malware software and backup software.

Why: Two creditworthy examples from the list, one mark each (1) + (1).

Some marks1/2

Anti-malware software and file management software.

Why: Anti-malware software earns one mark (1); file management is a function of the operating system, so it is not a second mark.

No marks0/2

Windows and a word processor.

Why: Windows is an operating system and a word processor is application software, so neither is utility software and no mark is awarded.

3Explain2 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.

Questions by topic

5.3 Cybersecurity

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