Mark Scheme

Summer 2024

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

In Computer Science (4CP0/01)

Paper 01: Principles of Computer Science

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Summer 2024
Question Paper Log Number P75736A
Publications Code 4CP0_01_2406_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2024
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General Marking Guidance

• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for
what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark
scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candi-
date’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by
which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to
a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with
an alternative response.

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
1(a) Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks: Do not award 2 marks for
the same point e.g. A
• WANs cover large/wide (geographic) distances/areas / LANs cover WAN is used over a large
small/local (geographic) distances/areas (1) geographic area whereas
• WANs have lower bandwidth / LANs have higher bandwidth (1) a LAN covers a small
• WANs connect multiple LANs / LANs are single networks (1) distance.
• WANs have higher latency / LANs have lower latency (1)
• WANs use shared infrastructure / LANs are usually privately owned (1) Two different differences
• WANs use third party connections / LANs are owned by the organisation must be identified.
(1)
• WANs have more users/devices / LANs have fewer users (1) Do not accept general
points such as WANs are
slower – too vague.

Do not accept LANs can

be wireless.
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1(b) Award one mark for any of the following:

• (Increased risk of) malware/viruses spreading / Pharming / Cyber attack

(1)
• (Increased risk of) hacking/unauthorised access/interception (1)
1
1(c)(i) Award one mark for:

• (Partially connected) mesh (1)

1

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1c(ii) Award one mark for any of the following:

• More expensive to install (1)

• Needs more cabling/wiring (1)
• Requires more maintenance (1)
• Harder to maintain / manage / install (1)
• Higher power consumption (1)
1
1(c)(iii) Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• In the event of a damaged/congested connection data/packets can still

be routed to their destination (1) because each node/computer is
connected to at least two other nodes / there are multiple pathways
available (1)
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1(d) The only correct answer is D

A is not correct because the application layer deals with applications

B is not correct because the transport layer deals with packet structure
C is not correct because the network layer deals with routing end to end
1
1(e)(i) Award one mark for:

• https/hypertext transfer protocol secure (1) 1

1(e)(ii) Award one mark for:

• specification(.html) (1) 1
Total for question 1 10

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
2(a)(i) Award one mark for any of the following: Do not award trade
names or generic
• To perform end user related tasks (1) categories of software
• To help the user be more productive/creative/communicative (1)
Allow software examples
such as word processor if
it is clear that it is an
end-user task.

Do not award responses

related to tasks that
could be performed by
pen/paper.
1
2(a)(ii) Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of three marks: Allow equivalence to
management such as
• Process management (1) ‘scheduling processes’,
• Memory management/virtual memory (1) ‘Virtual memory
• File management (1) organisation’, but do not
• Peripheral/hardware management (1) award terms in isolation.
• Network management (1)
• Security management (1) Do not award marks for
• User management (1) types of OS such as
multitasking

Do not award UI as given

in question.
3

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2(b)(i) Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as: Both RAM and ROM must
be addressed for 2 marks.
• RAM is volatile/its contents will be lost when the power is switched off
(1) ROM (is permanent) is required to store the BIOS/firmware/to boot up
the computer (1)

• The contents of ROM cannot be changed (1) RAM is required for actively
executing programs and data (1)
2
2(b)(ii) Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of three marks: Accept North/South for
polarity and
• A platter is used (1) representation of binary
• (The platter) is divided into tracks / sectors (1) state.
• A read/write arm/head is moved (to the track required) (1)
• A read/write head reads the values (from the surface) (1)
• One polarity represents 1 and other polarity represents 0 (1)
3

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2(c) Award one mark for each correct row:

Stage Sequence
Number

The instruction is placed onto the data bus 2

The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) performs a calculation 4

The address of the next instruction is placed onto the address
1
bus
The instruction is decoded by the control unit 3
4
2(d) The only correct answer is A

B is not correct because the control bus is bidirectional

C is not correct because the system bus is a collective term that contains both
unidirectional and bidirectional buses
D is not correct because the data bus is bidirectional
1
Total for question 2 14

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
3(a)(i) Award one mark for any of the following:

• 256 (1)
• 28 (1)
• 2x2x2x2x2x2x2x2 (1)
1
3(a)(ii) Award one mark for each of the following up to a maximum of three marks: Max 2 marks if not a fully
correct expression.
• 1920 x 1080 in the numerator (1)
• x 16/8 (16 in the numerator and 8 in the denominator) or (2 in the Allow equivalence e.g.
numerator) (1) 1024 = 210
• / (1024 x 1024) in the denominator (1) 10242 = 220

1920 pixels x 1080 pixels x 8 bits / 8 bits per byte / 1024 x 1024 bytes per MiB 2-20 is equivalent to 1/220

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1920 × 1080 × 8
1024 × 1024

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3(a)(iii) The only correct answer is C

A is not correct because the MSB is 1 so the denary value must be more than
128
B is not correct because the LSB is 0 so the denary value must be even
D is not correct because the denary number is signed
1

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3(b)(i) Award one mark for each of:

• Negative sign (1)

• 63 (1)
Example:
- 63
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3(b)(ii) Award one mark for:

1000 0010 (1)

1
3(b)(iii) Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• An overflow error has occurred (1) because the result requires more bits
to store than are available (1)
2
3(c)(i) Award one mark for any of the following:

• 011 0101 (1)

• 53 (1)
• Hex value of 35 (1)

Do not accept 11 0101 (six bits, ASCII is at least seven)

1

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3(c)(ii) Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• It is a standard/universal encoding method (1)

• It can represent all the characters in the English alphabet (1)
• It only uses 7/8 bits per character (1)
• It can represent 128/256 characters (in standard/extended format) (1)
• It takes up less storage space than Unicode (1)
• It can be used with bit masking (1)
• It is compatible with UTF-8 (1)
2
Total for question 3 13

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
4(a) Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as: Looking for a relevant
statement and a linked
• ‘What-if’ questions can be asked by changing variables (1) to make extension/expansion.
predictions / see trends (1)
Do not award two
• The simulation can be rerun with different values (1) to see how the independent statements
outcomes will change (1) that are not linked.

• The simulation can be run faster than real life (1) so multiple generations Points could be reversed
of animal results can be seen / long-term trends seen (1) such as: you can make
predictions because
• The simulation can be safer (1) because of the danger of animal variables can be changed
interaction (1) to see how the outcome
will differ.
• The simulation would be more convenient / saves time (1) because
observers would have to be present outside for a long time (1)
2
4(b) The only correct answer is C

A is not correct because it is not a linear scenario

B is not correct because parallel models do not have to communicate and
coordinate their actions
D is not correct because there is not an explicit input with an expected output
1

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4(c) Award up to two marks for a linked description such as: Do not allow any
biometric measure e.g.
• The research facility could use Two/Multi Factor Authentication fingerprint – biometrics is
(2FA/MFA) (1) sending a secondary piece of data to the employee which given in the question.
they then enter (e.g. passcode / authenticator app / email) (1)
Do not accept password
• Using a username and password (1) that is unique to each individual on its own – this is
employee / that matches one stored in a database (1) insufficient to allow the
user’s identity to be
• The research facility could implement a security question (1) that only authenticated
the employee would know the answer to (1)
2
4(d)(i) Award one mark for any of the following: Small/miniature/microsc
opic is not enough.
• The manipulation of matter with a size from 1 to 100 nanometres / scale Responses must relate to
of 10-9 / at atomic/molecular level (1) the scale at the
• The inclusion of nanoparticles into different materials (1) nano/molecular/atomic
• Facilitates miniaturisation at atomic/molecular scale/level (1) level.
1
4(d)(ii) Award one mark for any of the following: Allow examples that
reasonably map to the
• Stronger materials e.g. scratch resistant coatings / self-cleaning glass (1) categories given.
• Miniaturisation of electronics e.g. transistors (1)
• Nanomedicines to deliver drugs (1)
1

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4(e) Award one mark for each of the following up to a maximum of three marks:

• It uses a total of 128 bits (1)

• There is a total of 32 hexadecimal character (1)
• Each hexadecimal character requires 4 bits (1)
• There are 8 blocks of 4 character / 8 x 4 blocks (1)
• Each block (of 4 character) requires 16 bits (1)
• The address uses 4 (bits per character) x 32 (characters) / 4 x 32 (1)
• Each of the 8 blocks uses 16 bits / 8 x 16 (1)
3
4(f) Indicative content

• Rights and responsibilities

• Data Protection regarding personal data
• Surveillance
• Consent of the individual to having specified data held
• Accountability of those running / using such systems
• Ownership
• Data mining & analysis of work patterns and potential use/misuse
• Ethics versus the legality of implementing such systems
• Data misuse and protection against hacking and malware
• Requirement to keep data secure
• Physical access to areas of the site
• Monitoring employee movement to restricted areas / resources
• Algorithmic bias in facial recognition
6
Total for question 4 16

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Level Mark Descriptor

0 No rewardable content.
Level 1 1–2 Basic, independent points are made showing elements of knowledge and understanding of key
concepts/principles of computer science.

The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made.
Level 2 3-4 Demonstrates adequate knowledge and understanding of key concepts/principles of computer
science.

The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure.
Level 3 5-6 Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding by selecting relevant knowledge and
understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being
presented.

The discussion shows a well-developed, sustained line of reasoning which is clear, coherent, and
logically structured.

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
5(a) Award one mark for each correct column:

Translator
Characteristic Assembler Interpreter Compiler

Does not have to be present in

memory to execute the translated ✓ ✓
code.
Translates high level language source
✓ ✓
code.
Executes high level code until either
the program has finished, or a syntax ✓
error is encountered.
Translates low level language source
✓
code into machine code.

3
5(b) Award two marks for a linked explanation such as: One mark can be
awarded processing
• Fewer instructions are executed per second (1) so gameplay will not speed implication, but
appear to execute as smoothly / graphics lag / fewer frames per second the second mark is
/ can only handle less complex graphics (1) dependent on having a
gameplay impact being
• Consoles will execute more instructions per second / have faster identified.
processors / GPUs (1) so gameplay will not be realistic / mirrored / fair e.g. “A lower clock speed
comparison (1) means processing will
take longer” is generic
for one mark.

Low performance on its

own is not enough. 2
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5(c) Award one mark for each correct cell:

Issue Utility software

Her word processor cannot read all

File repair/recovery
of the files because it is corrupt.

She has a JPEG image and needs to

send it to a publisher who can only Converting
read PNG image files.
There has been a flood and files on
a server have been damaged, but Backup/restore
Anna needs to access her data.
Anna’s hard drive is running very
slowly when she tries to access a Defragmentation/defrag
file.
4
5(d) Award one mark for: Allow converse if
• Lossless (1) candidate gives reasons
why lossy would not be
Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks: used for justification
• No data will be lost / the process is reversable (1)
• The manual will still be readable (1) Allow RLE as a valid
• Removal of data would change the meaning of text (1) lossless compression
• Proofreader will be able to edit the text (1) method.
3

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5(e) Award one mark for each of: Order of precedence is
NOT, AND, OR
Method 1
• (C AND NOT D) (1) Note other equivalent
• (NOT C AND D) (1) solutions
• <expr1> OR <expr2> (1)
Method 2 MAX 2 if all terms correct
• (C OR D) (1) apart from missing
• NOT (C AND D) (1) brackets that are
• <expr1> AND <expr2> (1) required.

Example statements: Do not credit circuit

(C AND NOT D) OR (NOT C AND D) diagrams.
(C OR D) AND NOT (C AND D)
3
Total for question 5 15

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Question Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
6(a) The only correct answer is D

A is not correct because it is not a REPEAT UNTIL / DO WHILE loop

B is not correct because it is not a FOR loop
C is not correct because there is no such loop
1
6(b)(i) Award one mark for any of the following: Allow hard coded values
for the number of items in
• WHILE NOT (index >= LENGTH(arrival)) the list.
• WHILE NOT (index > LENGTH(arrival)-1) For example,
• WHILE index < LENGTH(arrival) index >= 7
index > 6
• WHILE index <= LENGTH(arrival)-1
1
6(b)(ii) Award one mark for any of the following:

• IF arrival[index] > 0
• IF arrival[index] >= 1
1
6(b)(iii) Award one mark for:

• late is incremented (1)

SET late TO late + 1
1

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6(b)(iv) Award one mark for: Allow number of trains to
be hard coded as 7 in
• On time is calculated as the remainder when early and late trains are place of
subtracted from the total number of trains (1) LENGTH(arrival)
LENGTH(arrival) - (late + early)
Allow equivalent
expressions:
LENGTH(arrival) –
late - early 1
6(c) Award one mark for any of the following:

• Otherwise there would be an infinite loop (1)

• It is used to index all elements in the (arrival) array (1)
• To access the next value in the (arrival) array on the next iteration (1)
• So that the condition used in the while loop evaluates to True when all
the elements in arrival have been processed (1)
1

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6(d) Award one mark for each up to a maximum six marks: For last mark point:
All symbols fully
• Get number immediately follows start (1) connected with directed
• Number divisible by 3 and number divisible by 5 → Display Fizz (1) arrows. Start and stop
• Number divisible by 3 and number divisible by 5 → Display Buzz (1) terminators used
• Number divisible by 3 and number divisible by 5 → Display FizzBuzz (1) correctly. No hanging
• Number not divisible by 3 and number not divisible by 5 → Display n (1) symbols. Decision boxes
• The flowchart represents a fully functional solution (1) have exactly two labelled
outputs

For each of the first five

mark points the mark
should only be awarded if
there is one correct
logical path to get to the
outcome.

DO NOT credit a point if

additional symbols have
been added.

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e.g.

6
Total for question 6 12

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