Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• C Process management (1)
• The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is process management; memory management is part of process management.
• A is not correct because file management organises and stores files and folders, not main memory allocation
• B is not correct because peripheral management controls devices such as printers and keyboards
• D is not correct because user management controls user accounts and access

• A Device driver (1)
• The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is device driver
• B is not correct because a file manager organises files and folders
• C is not correct because a print queue stores print jobs waiting to be printed
• D is not correct because a process manager allocates processor time to processes

• A Multitasking (1)
• The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is multitasking. Allow 'multi-tasking'.
• B is not correct because process management is the wider operating system function that controls processes, not the term for running more than one task at the same time
• C is not correct because a scheduler decides which process will run next on the CPU
• D is not correct because a time slice is a fixed period of CPU time allocated to a process by the scheduler

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

• The operating system manages/runs more than one process/task/program at the same time (1)
• More than one process/task/program appears to run at the same time (1)
• Each process/task/program is given a time slice of CPU time/a share of CPU time (1)
• The operating system switches between processes/tasks/programs (1)
• The operating system decides which process/task/program will run next (1)

Award a maximum of one mark for stating that more than one process/task/program is managed/run (or appears to run) at the same time.

Award a maximum of one mark for stating how CPU time is shared or switched between processes/tasks/programs.

Do not accept using more than one CPU/processor to run a single program.

Do not accept 'running many programs' on its own; it must say they are managed/run at the same time.

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

• Reduces the file size / uses less storage space (1)
• Takes less time to upload/download/send (1)
• Uses less bandwidth / reduces the amount of data transferred (1)
• The file is more likely to fit within an email attachment size limit (1)
• Reduces the amount of storage needed for backups / more files can be stored on backup media (1)

Do not award both 'reduces the file size' and 'uses less storage space' as two separate benefits.

Do not award both 'takes less time to send' and 'uses less bandwidth' as two separate benefits.

Do not accept 'it is compressed' on its own.

Do not accept 'it makes the file easier to send' unless a benefit such as a smaller file or less time is given.

Do not accept 'better quality'.

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.

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

• Existing data would be lost (1) because the new file would overwrite/replace its contents (1)
• The original file could not be recovered (1) because its contents would be destroyed/replaced (1)
• A program that uses the existing file would fail (1) because the file's data would have been changed/removed (1)
• The user could lose important work (1) because the old file is replaced by the new one (1)

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

Do not accept 'so files do not have the same name' without a reason linked to loss of data.

Do not accept 'to keep files tidy' or 'so the computer does not crash' without a reason linked to the existing file's contents being lost.

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

• Data is sent to/received from the correct peripheral (1) because the operating system controls the transfer of data between the computer and each device (1)
• A new peripheral can be used as soon as it is connected (1) because the operating system installs/loads the correct device driver for that device (1)
• Data can be sent to a slow peripheral such as a printer (1) because the operating system stores it in a buffer/print queue until the device is ready to receive it (1)
• The user is told when a peripheral has a problem (1) because the operating system receives status information from the device and reports the error to the user (1)

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

Allow specific peripherals as the example (e.g. a mouse, a printer) provided the reason says what the operating system does.

Allow 'the operating system responds to an interrupt from a device' as a point, with the reason that the device is signalling that it needs attention/has finished its job.

Do not accept 'the operating system manages/controls the peripherals' or 'it lets the devices be used'/'the peripherals work correctly' on their own, as these repeat the question without saying what the operating system does.

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

• People who should not use the computer are kept out (1) because the operating system only allows access when the password matches the one stored for that username (1)
• The operating system can identify the user who is logging in (1) so it can load the correct account for that person (1)
• Access to the computer is controlled (1) because each user must enter their own username and password before the operating system lets them continue (1)
• Each user has a different password (1) so one user cannot log in as another user (1)

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

Do not accept 'it keeps the computer safe/secure' without saying who is kept out or what they cannot do.

Do not accept 'it stops hackers' or 'it stops viruses' on its own; the answer must say that the username and password are checked before access is allowed.

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

• Only employees who need to change the file can do so (1) so it cannot be changed/deleted by mistake by other employees (1)
• Most employees can only read the file (1) so the information in it stays correct/unchanged (1)
• Some employees are not allowed to open the file at all (1) because the information is only for certain staff (1)
• The operating system checks the access rights of the logged-in user (1) before allowing the file to be opened or changed (1)

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

Do not accept 'so it is more secure' or 'to keep it safe' without saying what is protected or from whom.

Do not accept answers about limiting how much storage each user can use, as this is resource allocation, not access to a file.