15/01/2025 14:07
GCSE computer science past paper
questions and answers
Give 2 reason why hexadecimal is often used instead of binary in computer science
1. Hexadecimal is easier for humans to read
2. Quicker to type in
3. Reduces the risk of typing errors
How is a sound wave converted so that it can be stored in a computer
1. Microphone detects sound wave
2. Wave is converted to an analogue signal
3. Amplitude of the wave is measured
4. Sampling takes place at regular intervals
5. These samples are stored as binary values
Give 2 reasons why data compression is often used
1. To speed up file transfer
2. To use less storage capacity
3. To use less memory
How is main memory used?
1. It stores instructions whilst a program is being executed
2. Stores data whilst a program is being executed
3. Each memory location has a unique address
4. Data and instructions are replaced in memory as needed
State 2 things managed by the operating system
CPU. I/O devices. Applications/Programs. Security. File storage
Definition of computer network
A collection of computers connected together
Advantages of wired networks compared to wireless networks
1. Connection speeds are typically faster
2. Typically have higher bandwidths
3. Typically have better security risks
What are advantages of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
1. Typically lower setup costs
2. No wires/cables are required
3. It's easy to connect new devices
4. Users are not confined to a single location and users can connect to the network
as long as they're within range
5. Can connect multiple devices without needing extra hardware
What are disadvantages of wired networks compared to wireless networks?
1. Cables can be hazardous and unsightly
2. Not all devices can connect via cable, e.g. some tablets
3. Can be expensive to set up
What are disadvantages of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
1. Connection speeds can be slower
2. Connection speeds can reduce the further from the WAP you are
3. They can be subject to interference from walls, objects and other nearby devices
How does a wired network compare to a wireless network in terms of security?
Wired networks are typically more secure than wireless as one needs physical
access to the network to intercept data
, 15/01/2025 14:07
How does a wireless network compare to a wired network in terms of security?
1. Risk of theft of bandwidth by neighbouring users within range
2. Risk of data being stolen unless encryption is being used
3.. Wireless transmissions can be intercepted by anyone within range of the router
Definition of the term "cyber security"
The practices that protect networks from attacks / threats
Definition of the term malware
Malware is the term for computer software with malicious intent
Describe how an optical disk is read
1. Disk rotates at high speeds
2. Laser head moves across disk
3. Laser shines onto the disk
4. Pits reflect light differently to lands
5. Reflected light is interpreted into 1s and 0s representing data stored on disk
6. Data is stored on a single spiral track
Give 2 reasons why software companies usually don't make their source code
publicly available
1. Algorithms cannot be copyrighted and therefore need to be protected to preserve
commercial advantage
2. Hacking/Cyber security - Hackers could identify vulnerablities in the source code
and use them to create targeted attacks
Define the term embedded system
A computer system with a dedicated purpose built into a device/machine
Give 2 advantages of using a star topology instead of a bus topology
1. Less likely to experience transmission errors
2. Faster transmission of data
3. Fewer/No collisions if a switch is used
Disadvantages of star topologies compared to bus topologies
1. It's more expensive to install (cabling, hardware)
2. It's harder to install (requires more cable)
3. Switch/hub/central device may fail (breaking the entire network)
What are the benefits of networks?
1. Sharing of resources such as printers
2. Central backing up of data
3. Central installation and management of software by a network admin
4. Monitoring of users and network activity centrally by network admin
5. Users can login to any machine
6. Ability to use communication tools between computers
7. Centrally managed access rights
8. Rapid data sharing
9. Allows home working
What are the disadvantages of computer networks?
1. Security of data - requires correct settings or anyone can see restricted data
2. Spreading of malware
3. Cost of infrastructure
4. Cost of network admin required to run network
5. Dependency on network hardware
Definition of a network protocol
A set of rules that allow devices to communicate/transfer data
Explain 3 different electronic methods that can be used to confirm user identity
GCSE computer science past paper
questions and answers
Give 2 reason why hexadecimal is often used instead of binary in computer science
1. Hexadecimal is easier for humans to read
2. Quicker to type in
3. Reduces the risk of typing errors
How is a sound wave converted so that it can be stored in a computer
1. Microphone detects sound wave
2. Wave is converted to an analogue signal
3. Amplitude of the wave is measured
4. Sampling takes place at regular intervals
5. These samples are stored as binary values
Give 2 reasons why data compression is often used
1. To speed up file transfer
2. To use less storage capacity
3. To use less memory
How is main memory used?
1. It stores instructions whilst a program is being executed
2. Stores data whilst a program is being executed
3. Each memory location has a unique address
4. Data and instructions are replaced in memory as needed
State 2 things managed by the operating system
CPU. I/O devices. Applications/Programs. Security. File storage
Definition of computer network
A collection of computers connected together
Advantages of wired networks compared to wireless networks
1. Connection speeds are typically faster
2. Typically have higher bandwidths
3. Typically have better security risks
What are advantages of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
1. Typically lower setup costs
2. No wires/cables are required
3. It's easy to connect new devices
4. Users are not confined to a single location and users can connect to the network
as long as they're within range
5. Can connect multiple devices without needing extra hardware
What are disadvantages of wired networks compared to wireless networks?
1. Cables can be hazardous and unsightly
2. Not all devices can connect via cable, e.g. some tablets
3. Can be expensive to set up
What are disadvantages of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
1. Connection speeds can be slower
2. Connection speeds can reduce the further from the WAP you are
3. They can be subject to interference from walls, objects and other nearby devices
How does a wired network compare to a wireless network in terms of security?
Wired networks are typically more secure than wireless as one needs physical
access to the network to intercept data
, 15/01/2025 14:07
How does a wireless network compare to a wired network in terms of security?
1. Risk of theft of bandwidth by neighbouring users within range
2. Risk of data being stolen unless encryption is being used
3.. Wireless transmissions can be intercepted by anyone within range of the router
Definition of the term "cyber security"
The practices that protect networks from attacks / threats
Definition of the term malware
Malware is the term for computer software with malicious intent
Describe how an optical disk is read
1. Disk rotates at high speeds
2. Laser head moves across disk
3. Laser shines onto the disk
4. Pits reflect light differently to lands
5. Reflected light is interpreted into 1s and 0s representing data stored on disk
6. Data is stored on a single spiral track
Give 2 reasons why software companies usually don't make their source code
publicly available
1. Algorithms cannot be copyrighted and therefore need to be protected to preserve
commercial advantage
2. Hacking/Cyber security - Hackers could identify vulnerablities in the source code
and use them to create targeted attacks
Define the term embedded system
A computer system with a dedicated purpose built into a device/machine
Give 2 advantages of using a star topology instead of a bus topology
1. Less likely to experience transmission errors
2. Faster transmission of data
3. Fewer/No collisions if a switch is used
Disadvantages of star topologies compared to bus topologies
1. It's more expensive to install (cabling, hardware)
2. It's harder to install (requires more cable)
3. Switch/hub/central device may fail (breaking the entire network)
What are the benefits of networks?
1. Sharing of resources such as printers
2. Central backing up of data
3. Central installation and management of software by a network admin
4. Monitoring of users and network activity centrally by network admin
5. Users can login to any machine
6. Ability to use communication tools between computers
7. Centrally managed access rights
8. Rapid data sharing
9. Allows home working
What are the disadvantages of computer networks?
1. Security of data - requires correct settings or anyone can see restricted data
2. Spreading of malware
3. Cost of infrastructure
4. Cost of network admin required to run network
5. Dependency on network hardware
Definition of a network protocol
A set of rules that allow devices to communicate/transfer data
Explain 3 different electronic methods that can be used to confirm user identity
