GCE

Computer Science

H446/01: Computer systems

Advanced GCE

Mark Scheme for Autumn 2021

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations

OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications
include AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals,
Functional Skills, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in
areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.

It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
needs of students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is
invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and
support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.

All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.

© OCR 2021

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations

H446/01 Mark Scheme
1. Annotations

Annotation Meaning

Omission mark

Benefit of the doubt

Subordinate clause / consequential error

Incorrect point

Expansion of a point

Follow through

Not answered question

No benefit of doubt given

Point being made

Repeat

Correct point

Too vague

Zero (big)
Blank Page – this annotation must be used on all blank pages
within an answer booklet (structured or unstructured) and on
each page of an additional object where there is no candidate
response.
Level 1
Level 2
H446/01 Mark Scheme
Level 3

• Subject Specific Marking Instructions

Question Answer Mark Guidance

1 (a) i • Clock speed 2 Accept
• Number of cores Use of pipelining/size of pipeline
AO1.1 Use of out of order execution
• Cache
Use of SIMD instructions
Integrated graphics processing on CPU
ii • RAM is volatile 4
• Used for storing programs/data/parts of OS
AO1.2
currently in use
• ROM is non volatile
•
• Used for storing (e.g.) BIOS / bootstrap

iii • Performing complex numerical calculations 2 Example has to relate to insurance company
• Calculations on matrices / vectors / multiple data at
AO2.2
the same time
• …e.g. insurance pricing, modelling risk, calculating
bills

(b) • Concurrent processing of multiple instructions 3

• One instruction can be fetched while previous is
AO1.1
being decoded…
• And the one before is being executed.
• In case of a branch pipeline is flushed.
• Increases speed of execution

(c) Mark Band 3–High Level (7-9 marks) 9 AO1

Magnetic devices include magnetic hard drives and
magnetic tape.
H446/01 Mark Scheme
The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and AO1.1 (2), Data stored by altering the magnetic field of a small
understanding of magnetic and solid state storage. The AO1.2 (2), section of the tape or disk; one orientation represents a
AO2.1 (2),
material is generally accurate and detailed. AO3.3. binary value of 1, the opposite orientation represents a
(3) binary value of 0. Written to using a read head.
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and Read head can then read the magnetic field and
understanding directly and consistently to the context retrieve the data.
provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant These read and write heads move across the disk or
to the explanation. the tape moves under the heads.
Solid state devices store data using semiconductors;
The candidate provides a thorough discussion which is drives can be based on NAND Flash or DRAM. No
well balanced. Evaluative comments are consistently moving parts are required.
relevant and well-considered. Backup involves copying potentially large amounts of
data to and from storage devices at regular intervals.
There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is Servers distribute data to client devices.
clear and logically structured. The information
presented is relevant and substantiated. AO2
Magnetic hard drives entirely suitable for storing
Mark Band 2-Mid Level (4-6 marks) operating system, software and data. Large capacity,
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge cheap (by comparison) purchasing price and reliability
and understanding of magnetic and solid state storage; make them idea for heavy use in an insurance office.
the material is generally accurate but at times Solid state drives have no moving parts and offer an
underdeveloped. increase in speed and quicker access to customer
records. However, smaller capacity (in comparison)
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and may be an issue for larger data sets.
understanding directly to the context provided although Backup systems may be required to maximise storage
one or two opportunities are missed. whereas access speed is not so much of an issue
Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly Limited lifespan of SSDs due to limited read/writes may
relevant to the explanation. restrict use in data heavy applications.
Servers will require quick access to data to serve
The candidate provides a sound discussion, the multiple client machines but will also be extremely
majority of which is focused. Evaluative comments are read/write heavy.
for the most part appropriate, although one or two
opportunities for development are missed.
AO3
There is a line of reasoning presented with some Both suitable for the insurance office but for different
structure. The information presented is in the most part purposes.
relevant and supported by some evidence. SSDs to store operating system and program files will
ensure quicker boot up and loading of programs. May
Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-3 marks)
H446/01 Mark Scheme
The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of be useful for both client and servers to store operating
magnetic and solid state storage; the material is basic systems
and contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes Magnetic hard drives to store large quantities of data
a limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and provides reliability and large capacity at small (by
understanding to the context provided. comparison) cost. May be most suitable for storing
large amounts of data on client devices and for backup
The candidate provides a limited discussion which is systems.
narrow in focus. Judgments if made are weak and Magnetic tape device may be suitable for backing up
unsubstantiated. The information is basic and customer data as too slow for use on day-to-day basis.
communicated in an unstructured way. The information Use of solid state devices for storing customer data that
is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to is frequently accessed means needing to plan for
the evidence may not be clear. replacement of drives when read/write limit reached.
Solid state devices better if used in mobile devices (e.g.
0 marks for mobile insurance workers) as relatively small
No attempt to answer the question or response is not chance of damage if dropped as no moving parts.
worthy of credit.
(d) i • Field with a unique value 2
• CustomerID
AO1.2 (1),
AO2.2 (1),
ii • SELECT CustomerID, Surname 4 1 mark per bullet point.
• FROM Customer Data in fields must be in speech marks/apostrophes
AO3.2 Allow speech mark/apostrophe FT for BP 2 and 4
• WHERE Title="Miss"
• OR Title = "Mrs" Ignore colons/semicolons

iii • Only one customer entry allowed (because of key 2 Mark in pairs.
field)
• …so would not be able to add second entry AO2.1
• Customer data already present/would be repeated
• ….resulting in redundant data/wasted space
• …resulting in inconsistencies should changes be
made
Iv • Add in second table 5
• …for the cars // splitting up cars/customers
• The primary key of customer is used as a field in the AO1.2
car/vehicle table
• … as a foreign key of cars
• Create one to many relationship. Accept many to
one.
H446/01 Mark Scheme

Question Answer Mark Guidance

2 (a) i 11100111 1

AO1.2
ii 0110 1111 1

AO1.2
(b) i • Move decimal place 1 place right = 0.1101 to 4
normalise
• Pad with 0s, mantissa is 011010 AO1.2
• Exponent is 4 / Subtract 1 from exponent…
• New exponent is 3 = 0011

ii • move dp 3 places right 3 Accept conversion of un-normalised number (will result

• 0110.1 in same output)
• 6.5 AO1.2
Accept method of using 0.1101 x 2^3

FT required from part (i) if this is done incorrectly.

(c) • Calculating exponent of 6 for first 5 Alternative:
number/Calculating exponent of 4 for second • Calculation of exponents (6 and 4) // difference
number AO1.2 between exponents of 2
• Moving binary point correct number of places in • Move first mantissa 2 places left // second mantissa
both mantissa to give 0110000.0 and 01010.0 2 places right to match exponents
• Addition of 0110000.0 and 01010.0 to give • …giving 011.000 + 0.10100 (exp 4) // 0.11000 +
0111010.0 0.00101 (exp 6)
• Movement of binary point six places to left to • Correct addition (answer of 011.1010 // 0.111010)
match original mantissa format and give value of • Final answer normalised (011101 exp 6)
011101
• Calculate exponent in original format to give If exponents initially matched to 4, final bullet point
value of 0110 should only be given if answer is normalised. If
exponents matched to 6, answer will already be
normalised.
Ensure that answer is in format described (6 bits for
mantissa 4 bits for exponent) to gain final bullet point.
H446/01 Mark Scheme

Question Answer Mark Guidance

3 (a) • HTML defines the structure of a web page 4 Do not accept layout/format for HTML as this is too
• HTML defines the content of a web page vague and can be used to describe CSS
• Using tags (enclosed in <>) AO1.1

• CSS defines the style / appearance

• Using selectors such as classes / IDs / etc
• Can be placed within HTML or externally in a file
• Multiple pieces of CSS can be combined (the more
local instances overriding)

(b) • Correct <a> with close 3 <a href=”booking.htm”><img src=”ticket.png”></a>

• href property to correct page
• correct <img> tag with src property to correct file AO3.2

(c) • 2.99 4 Correct answer only. Penalise spelling if incorrect.

• nonUKprice
• numtickets AO3.2 Do not accept £ sign in first bullet point.
• return

(d) i • processing done away from the user’s control/Client 3

side processing could be altered
• Browser may not support client-side language/ AO2.1
scripting could be turned off
• Booking fee calculation needs to be correct for all
locations

ii To the customer any 2x1: 2

• No need to submit to server and wait for response AO1.2

H446/01 Mark Scheme
• Website will work more quickly for user

To the company any 2x1:

• Reduces load on the server

• Will need to spend less on processing
power/bandwidth

(e) i • Web crawler /spider visits site 4

• Either be selecting it from an existing list or
following a link. AO1.1
• Records information
• …such as text / metatags / etc
• Records the position of each word within the page
• Storing them in an index
• Follows links to other sites
• Robots.txt file can be used to instruct web crawlers

ii • A value between 0 and 1 1

• Probability that a user will not follow a link
AO1.1

iii • Number of links to target site 2

• PageRank score of those sites (linking inwards)
AO1.1
H446/01 Mark Scheme

Question Answer Mark Guidance

4 (a) Mark Band 3–High Level (7-9 marks) 9 AO1
The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and Computer Misuse Act is legislation aimed at
understanding of legislation including the Computer AO1.1 criminalising unauthorised access to a computer
Misuse Act. The material is generally accurate and (2), system
AO1.2
detailed. (2), Three stages:
AO2.1 Unauthorised access to a computer system
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and (2), Unauthorised access with intent to commit further
understanding directly and consistently to the context AO3.3. offences
(3)
provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant Unauthorised modification of computer material
to the explanation. Punishable by up to twelve months in prison and an
unlimited fine.
The candidate provides a thorough discussion which is
well balanced. Evaluative comments are consistently AO2
relevant and well-considered. Computer users who investigate how systems work
require authorisation in order to not break the Act.
There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is Examples such as changing a social media post on a
clear and logically structured. The information friend’s mobile phone potentially breaks all three
presented is relevant and substantiated. sections of the Act.
Investigation of systems can break the Act without
Mark Band 2-Mid Level (4-6 marks) intent, e.g. by changing server logs because of their
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge actions.
and understanding legislation including the Computer Users must be aware of the Act (as with any other law)
Misuse Act; the material is generally accurate but at in order to be responsible.
times underdeveloped.
AO3
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and Material available online (e.g. self study videos) that
understanding directly to the context provided although explain how systems work and teach without the need
one or two opportunities are missed. to investigate using unauthorised access.
Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly Investigating systems that you own yourself or have
relevant to the explanation. authorisation to access does not break the law.
Systems are offered to users with strict conditions
The candidate provides a sound discussion, the attached and investigation is not a legitimate excuse for
majority of which is focused. Evaluative comments are breaking the law.
for the most part appropriate, although one or two Ethical / white hat hackers will not break this law
opportunities for development are missed. because they have authorisation.
Grey and black hat hackers will break Computer Misuse
Act.
H446/01 Mark Scheme
There is a line of reasoning presented with some
structure. The information presented is in the most part
relevant and supported by some evidence.

Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-3 marks)

The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of
legislation including the Computer Misuse Act; the
material is basic and contains some inaccuracies. The
candidate makes a limited attempt to apply acquired
knowledge and understanding to the context provided.

The candidate provides a limited discussion which is

narrow in focus. Judgments if made are weak and
unsubstantiated. The information is basic and
communicated in an unstructured way. The information
is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to
the evidence may not be clear.

0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or response is not
worthy of credit.
H446/01 Mark Scheme

Question Answer Mark Guidance

5 (a) Q≡A∧ B 3 Q ≡ A ∧ B ∧ (C ∨ D)
∧
(C ∨ D) AO1.2 Accept alternative symbols for AND / OR
e.g. Q = A AND B AND (C OR D)
Brackets must be included for 3rd point
Allow XOR for bullet point 3
Any additional symbols max 2 marks

(b) i • Identification of De Morgan’s and/or double 2

negation rule
AO2.2
• Correct final answer to give A v B

(c) i S=A⊻B 2 Accept alternative symbols for AND /XOR

C=A∧B
AO2.1

ii • 1 mark for S column 2

• 1 mark for C column A B S C
AO2.1

0 0 0 0

0 1 1 0

1 0 1 0

1 1 0 1
iii • Logic circuit adds together 2 binary digits / half 4
adder
H446/01 Mark Scheme
• S gives sum, C gives carry AO1.2
• Two half adders can be joined together…
• …with an OR gate
• to form full adder
• 4 full adders can be used to add two four bit
numbers
• Carry out on one joined to carry in on next
H446/01 Mark Scheme
Question Answer Mark Guidance
6 (a) i • Temporary storage/memory location… 2
• …inside the CPU
• Used for a single specific purpose AO1.1
• Faster access speed than RAM / secondary storage

ii • Accumulator checked to see if value held is positive 2

or zero
• If so, BRANCH carried out / jumps to specified AO1.2
location.

(b) • 2, 2 4 Code finds integer division and remainder.

• 9,0
• 4,0 AO2.2
• 0,3

(c) • Input two numbers into two separate variables / 4 Can be completed either by using MOD / DIV or by
other suitable data structure AO3.2 using repeated subtraction as in LMC example
• Correctly calculate integer division
• Correctly calculate remainder
• Print out both

(d) Mark Band 3–High Level (9-12 marks) 12 AO1

The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and Immediate addressing is where the operand holds the
understanding of different modes of addressing. The AO1.1 actual data to be used; no address referenced
material is generally accurate and detailed. (2), Direct addressing is where the operand holds the
AO1.2
(2), address that holds the data to be used.
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and AO2.1 Indirect addressing is where the operand holds an
understanding directly and consistently to the context (3), address which is where the data to be used is stored
provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant AO3.3. Indexed addressing is where the operand holds an
(5)
to the explanation. address which is offset using the Index Register to find
the true address of the data to be used

AO2
H446/01 Mark Scheme
The candidate provides a thorough discussion which is Immediate addressing; operand of 27 would refer to the
well balanced. Evaluative comments are consistently value 27
relevant and well-considered. Direct addressing; operand of 27 would tell the
processor to fetch the data held at address 27.
There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is Indirect addressing; operand of 27 would tell the
clear and logically structured. The information processor to fetch the data held at address 27, which
presented is relevant and substantiated. itself would then be used an address to fetch data from.
Indexed addressing; operand of 27 would be added to
Mark Band 2-Mid Level (5-8 marks) the value of the Index register and this would then be
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge used as the address to fetch data from.
and understanding of different modes of addressing;
the material is generally accurate but at times AO3
underdeveloped. Immediate addressing allows simple access to data
with no fetch required, but limited by the data size of the
The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and operand.
understanding directly to the context provided although Direct addressing allows data to be fetched from
one or two opportunities are missed. memory. Data can potentially be larger in size that with
Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly immediate addressing but address range limited by size
relevant to the explanation. of operand.
Indirect addressing allows a larger range of addresses
The candidate provides a sound discussion, the to be accessed as address fetched. However, multiple
majority of which is focused. Evaluative comments are fetches required to access data.
for the most part appropriate, although one or two Indexed addressing allows the Index register to be
opportunities for development are missed. manipulated to access data stored sequentially e.g. in
an array.
There is a line of reasoning presented with some
structure. The information presented is in the most part
relevant and supported by some evidence.

Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-4 marks)

The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of
different modes of addressing; the material is basic and
contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes a
limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and
understanding to the context provided.

The candidate provides a limited discussion which is

narrow in focus. Judgments if made are weak and
unsubstantiated. The information is basic and
H446/01 Mark Scheme
communicated in an unstructured way. The information
is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to
the evidence may not be clear.

0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or response is not
worthy of credit.
H446/01 Mark Scheme
Question Answer Mark Guidance
7 (a) (i) Stack 1 Correct answer only

AO1.1
(ii) • Input name from user 4 Example answer
• Check if stack is full e.g.(top <=5) new = input("enter a name : ")
• If not, update top pointer AO3.2 if top <=5 then
• Correctly push name to index referenced by top top = top + 1
wNames[top] = new
end if
(b) 1 mark per name inserted in correct place in diagram 4

AO2.1

(ii) • Compare with Kirstie – Zoe is larger so go right 3

• Compare with Martyn - Zoe is larger so go right Allow FT from b(i)
• No right element so stop/not found AO2.2

(iii) • Binary tree more efficient than linked list 2 Allow reference to big O for second mark.
• Do not need to check every value / tree removes half Linked List O(n), Binary Tree O(log n)
values each time AO1.2

(iv) • Binary tree less efficient than hash table 2 Allow reference to big O for second mark.
• Hash table can find data immediately / without Binary tree O(log n) Hash table O(1)
checking other values. AO1.2
(c) (i) • Object – instantiated from class 3
• Method – action object performs / link to
procedure/functions AO1.1
• Attribute – value held by object / link to variable
(ii) • Class definition statement 5 One mark per bullet point to 5 maximum.
• Defining name and attendance attributes
H446/01 Mark Scheme
• Appropriate get methods for name and attendance AO3.2
that return a value and have no parameter Example answer
• Appropriate set methods for name and attendance class Customer
that take a parameter private name
• …that restricts attendance to be 0 to 100. private attendance

public function getName()

return name
end function

public function getAttendance()

return attendance
end function

public procedure setName(newName)

name = newName
end procedure

public procedure setAttendance(newAttend)

if newAttend >=0 and newAttend <=100 then
attendance = newAttend
end if
end procedure
end class
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
The Triangle Building
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 8EA

OCR Customer Contact Centre

Education and Learning

Telephone: 01223 553998
Facsimile: 01223 552627
Email: [email protected]

www.ocr.org.uk

For staff training purposes and as part of our quality assurance programme your call may be
recorded or monitored