OCR GCSE Computer Science Computer systems (01), June 2025: Question 2

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

Question Answer Mark Guidance

2 (a) 1 mark for each row to max 5 5

Memory Peripheral User File

Operating system function

management management management management

Multitasking ✓

Renaming a folder ✓

Creation of user accounts ✓

Installation of a printer driver ✓

Transfer of data to and from RAM ✓

2 (b) (i) 1 mark from 1 Do not accept a specific

• Perform housekeeping tasks example of utility software.

• Perform maintenance // Keep the computer running smoothly // identify/fix errors // improve

performance of computer Do not accept a task

• To monitor / manage / configure a computer system performed by one example

of utility software.

Read whole answer and

award a correct statement.

2 (b) (ii) 1 mark each 3 MP3 do not accept it

• Jumble / mix-up / encode / scramble / cypher data cannot be ‘read’ or

• Encrypt / decrypt using an algorithm / key ‘accessed’.

• Make it meaningless (if intercepted / unauthorised access) // it cannot be understood / used (if

intercepted / unauthorised access)

How to answer it

Operating System Functions & Utility Software

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of System Software (OCR Component 01, Topic 1.5):

Classifying specific tasks into core Operating System (OS) management functions (memory, peripheral, user, and file management).
Defining the overarching purpose of utility software.
Explaining both the mechanism (function) and the purpose (security goal) of encryption software.

Part (a) Operating System Functions

Identifying OS functions for specific system tasks [5 Marks]

✅ Complete Mark Scheme Solution

Task	Memory	Peripheral	User	File
Multitasking	✔
Renaming a folder				✔
Creation of user accounts			✔
Installation of a printer driver		✔
Transfer of data to and from RAM	✔

Award 1 mark per correct row. (5 marks total)

💡 Key Knowledge

Memory Management: Allocates RAM addresses to running processes and handles moving data in/out of memory so programs don't overwrite each other.
Why Multitasking is Memory Management: To run multiple applications at once, the OS must allocate sufficient RAM to each open process and manage virtual memory.
Peripheral Management: Uses device drivers to communicate with external hardware (printers, keyboards, mice).
File Management: Creates, names, moves, copies, and deletes files/folders.
User Management: Handles logins, security permissions, and user accounts.

❌ Common Errors

Multitasking confusion: Students often think multitasking is user management or a separate CPU feature. In the OCR syllabus, managing multiple open apps belongs to Memory Management.
Ticking multiple boxes per row: The question states "Tick (✔) one box on each row". Double-ticking a row loses that mark.

🧠 Exam Technique

Look for trigger words in the task:

"RAM" → Memory
"Driver / printer" → Peripheral
"Folder / file / save" → File
"Account / password / login" → User

Part (b)(i) Purpose of Utility Software

Defining system maintenance software [1 Mark]

✅ Acceptable Answers (1 Mark)

Any one of the following general definitions:

To perform housekeeping tasks or system maintenance.
To keep the computer running smoothly / improve system performance.
To identify and fix errors on the computer.
To monitor, manage, or configure the computer system.

Award 1 mark for any valid purpose describing system maintenance or housekeeping.

❌ Examiner Warning: Automatic Zeroes

Naming a program: Stating "antivirus" or "defragmenter" gets 0 marks. The question asks for the purpose of utility software, not an example.
Describing a single utility's task: Stating "it reorganises fragmented files" or "it scans for malware" gets 0 marks because that is not the purpose of all utility software.

Part (b)(ii) Purpose and Function of Encryption Software

Explaining how and why data is encrypted [3 Marks]

✅ Model 3-Mark Answer

Encryption software scrambles / encodes data (1) using a secret algorithm and key (1), so that if it is intercepted by an unauthorised user, it is meaningless / cannot be understood (1).

Mark Scheme Breakdown (1 mark per point, max 3):

MP1 (Function): Jumble / mix up / scramble / encode / cipher data.
MP2 (Mechanism): Encrypt (or decrypt) data using an algorithm / encryption key.
MP3 (Purpose): Make data meaningless / unintelligible / cannot be understood if intercepted or accessed without authorisation.

🧠 Exam Technique: "Purpose" vs "Function"

Function (How it works): It converts plaintext to ciphertext using an algorithm and key.
Purpose (Why we use it): To keep data secure so unauthorized parties cannot read or make sense of sensitive information.
Always address both when a question asks for "purpose AND function".

❌ The Biggest Misconception in GCSE Computer Science

Examiner Guidance: "Do NOT accept that data cannot be 'read' or 'accessed'."

An unauthorised person or hacker can still open, access, and read an encrypted file! However, what they see is completely unreadable gibberish (ciphertext). You must state that it cannot be understood or is rendered meaningless.

💡 Vocabulary Booster

Plaintext: Original readable data before encryption.
Ciphertext: Scrambled data after encryption.
Key: Secret secret value/code used by the algorithm to lock and unlock the data.

Topics

1.5 Systems software · 1.5.1 Operating systems · 1.5.2 Utility software