Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• A File management (1)
• The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is file management.
• B is not correct because peripheral management controls input and output devices
• C is not correct because process management schedules programs and allocates processor time
• D is not correct because user management manages user accounts and access rights

• B Copying a file (1)
• The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is Copying a file.
• A is not correct because allocating processor time is process management
• C is not correct because managing user accounts is user management
• D is not correct because sending data to a printer is peripheral management

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

• Fingerprint scan (1)
• Face recognition (1)
• Iris/retina scan (1)
• Voice recognition (1)
• Palm print/vein scan (1)
• Smart card (1)
• Security token (1)
• Authenticator app (1)

Allow one-time passcode (OTP) for authenticator app.

Do not accept password (given in the question).

Do not accept username/user ID (it identifies the user but does not authenticate them).

Do not accept 'two-factor authentication' on its own (it is a combination of methods, not a method itself).

Do not accept 'encryption'.

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

• A device driver is software/program (1) that controls a peripheral device (1)
• It translates instructions from the operating system (1) into commands/signals the device understands (1)
• It allows the operating system to communicate with a specific device (1) without needing to know the device's hardware details (1)
• It is installed for a new device (1) so the operating system can use that device (1)

Do not accept responses that say a device driver is hardware or that it makes a device faster.

Do not award 'it is part of the CPU'.

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

• So the operating system does not allocate memory already in use/avoids allocating the same memory to another program/prevents memory being reallocated (1) which would overwrite/corrupt the existing program or data (1)
• So the operating system can find/locate a program or its data when it is needed (1) because it can then load/access it using the memory address(es) in the record (1)
• So the operating system can identify free areas of main memory (1) and allocate them to a new program/process (1)
• So the operating system can keep programs and data separate in main memory (1) so one program cannot change/overwrite another program's data (1)

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

Do not accept 'to manage memory' or 'to organise memory' on its own without saying what the record is used for.

Do not accept 'to keep track of programs' or 'so it knows where programs are' on its own: this states what the record contains, not a use for it. It needs a linked use such as finding/loading a program when needed or avoiding overwriting it.

Do not accept 'to store the program' because the record stores the location, not the program.

Do not accept answers about saving a program to secondary storage/hard disk when it is closed; the record is of locations in main memory.

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.

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

• Files take up less storage space (1) because compression stores the data using fewer bits/removes redundant or unnecessary data (1)
• Files can be transferred/downloaded faster (1) because there is less data to send over a network (1)
• More files fit on a storage device (1) because each file is smaller (1)
• Email attachments can be sent without exceeding attachment size limits (1) because compression reduces the size of the file (1)

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

Do not accept 'it makes files smaller' on its own without a named benefit such as using less storage space or faster transfer; this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'compression frees up space by deleting files' as compression does not delete the original file.

Do not accept answers about disk defragmentation as this is a different utility.

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

• One user cannot fill the whole server with their files (1) so there is still space for other users to save their work (1)
• Each user is given a fair share of the storage (1) so every user can save the files they need (1)
• The administrator can change the storage limit for one user (1) so a user who needs more space can be given it without affecting other users (1)

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

Allow answers about keeping the server's storage available for all users for the first mark if the benefit to other users is then given.

Do not accept 'saves space', 'stops the server filling up' or 'stops users filling storage' on its own without saying whose space is protected.

Do not accept 'it makes the computer faster' or 'it stops viruses' without a link to sharing storage between users.

Do not accept answers about stopping users opening/editing each other's files, as this is access rights, not a storage limit.

Do not award answers about managing storage in general (e.g. deleting temporary files, defragmentation) as these are not about user management.

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

• Files/parts of a file are stored together/contiguously (1) so the read/write head does not have to move as far to read them (1)
• Files/programs can be read/loaded faster (1) because the read/write head moves to fewer locations on the disk (1)
• Free space is gathered together/into one block (1) so a new file can be saved in one place/does not have to be split up (1)
• Fragmented files become whole again (1) so programs start/open more quickly (1)

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

Accept a statement about the read/write head moving less/not having to move as far on its own as the first mark, even if the candidate does not say that the parts of the file are stored together.

Allow 'so the file does not have to be searched for in several places on the disk' as the linked reason for the first mark.

Do not accept 'it makes the disk/computer faster' on its own without a linked reason such as less read/write head movement.

Do not accept 'it compresses files' or 'it frees up more storage space'; defragmentation does not reduce the size of files.

Do not accept 'it stops the disk getting damaged/the disk failing' or 'it uses less RAM'.

Indicative content

Types of backup that could be used

• A full backup copies all of the company's project files every time it is run, so the whole set of files is held together in one backup.
• A full backup takes longer to make and needs more storage space than an incremental backup.
• An incremental backup copies only the files that have changed since the previous backup, so it is quicker to run each evening.
• Restoring from incremental backups needs the last full backup plus every incremental backup made since, which takes longer and is more complex.
• A weekly full backup with nightly incremental backups can be suitable for the company when the reason is explained using the properties of the two types.

Where and how often backups should be made

• Backups should be kept on a separate device and, ideally, at a different location, so that a fire or theft in the office cannot destroy the computer and the backups together.
• Backups should be made regularly, for example every evening, so that at most one day's design work would be lost.
• Cloud storage can hold copies off-site automatically, without the owner taking a disk home.
• An external hard disk or USB flash drive can be used as the backup medium, with a copy kept away from the office.

How the backups would be used if the hard disk failed again

• If the hard disk fails again, the backup software is used to restore the latest full backup and any later incremental backups onto a replacement disk.
• The restored project files allow the company to carry on working and meet its clients' deadlines.
• The backups should be tested by restoring a file so that the company knows the backup is usable before it is needed.
• Backup software does not repair the failed hard disk itself, so a replacement disk is still needed.

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 requires all three bullets to be developed and applied, including both types of backup (or a justified combination) and a restoration sequence; a response that describes only a full backup cannot reach Level 3.

An answer that explains only one type of backup with at most a brief location or frequency point and no developed restoration is Level 1 (1–2 marks). Credit one off-site point only: cloud storage, an external disk kept elsewhere and 'a different location' are the same point. Do not accept that backup software repairs a failed hard disk or recovers files that were never backed up; an answer that only makes this claim is Level 0. An unsupported weekly-full/nightly-incremental recommendation is not credited.