A student has a computer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] 1 mark for each correct purpose Register Purpose Program Counter (PC) Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched/executed Memory Address Register (MAR) Stores the address of the memory location where data will be read from/written to Memory Data Register (MDR) Stores the data read from the address in the MAR // stores the data to be written to the address in the MAR Index Register (IX) Stores a number that will be added to the operand, to form the address of the data
2. [4] 1 mark for each bullet point (max 4) e.g. • HDMI has faster transfer rates than VGA • ... needed due to high resolution / large number of pixels of monitor // HDMI supports the high resolution of the monitor • HDMI supports video and audio transfer between computer and monitor speakers • ... so no separate sound cable is needed unlike VGA • HDMI is digital interface therefore no data is lost in transfer to analogue and back • HDMI is less prone to error/crosstalk/external interference
3. [4] 1 mark for each bullet point (max 4) e.g. • It manages the scheduling of processes // Decides which process is to be run next • Allows multi-tasking/multi-processing • Ensures fair access • Handles interrupts • Manages / allocates which resources the processes require • Facilitates the sharing and exchange of data between processes • Prevents interference between processes // conflict resolution