INTERNATIONAL GCSE

COMPUTER SCIENCE
9210
Paper 2 Concepts and principles of computer science

Mark scheme
June 2022
Version 1.0 Final

*226Y92102/MS*
 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with
the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any
amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is
the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process
ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every
associate understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for
standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative answers
not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised
they are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further
developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper.
Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be
avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change,
depending on the content of a particular examination paper.

Further copies of this mark scheme are available from oxfordaqaexams.org.uk

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

01 1 C9 1

AO2=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

01 2 256 // 28; 1

AO2=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

01 3 256 // 28; 1

AO2=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

01 4 01011000; 1
R. if answer does not use one byte
AO2=1

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

02 1 A single dot of colour A. A square/block/unit of colour 1

//
The smallest part of an image NE. Part of an image AO1=1
//
A single point in a graphical image;

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

02 2 Larger file size NE. larger/bigger if could apply to image 1

dimensions
// AO1=1
Will use more storage (space)/memory
//
Take longer to download/transmit;

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

02 3 8 // 23; 1

AO2=1

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

02 4 3
Represented using bit
Image
pattern? (Yes/No) AO2=3

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Mark as follows:

1 mark: Any three rows correct

2 marks: Any four rows correct
3 marks: All rows correct
A. Other symbols that could indicate yes/no eg tick/cross

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

03 1 B (An assembler can be used to convert an assembly 1

language program into machine code);
R. more than one row ticked AO1=1
A. use of alternative symbol than tick

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

03 2 A (Binary); 1
R. more than one row ticked
A. use of alternative symbol than tick AO1=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

03 3 The table below lists differences. 4

For rows marked with a #: 1 mark can be awarded for AO1=4

each side of the difference as one does not directly imply
the other. If both sides are stated then 2 marks should be
awarded.

For rows without a #: award 1 mark for the statement of

either side of the difference, but do not award 2 marks
for stating both sides.

HLL LLL
# HLL commands are LLL commands are for
more powerful than LLL primitive operations (A.
commands // one HLL examples eg ADD,
command is equivalent STORE)
to many LLL commands
# In HLL keywords are In LLL keywords are
meaningful (A. expressed in
expressed in English) mnemonics/short codes
(NE. binary)
# HLL code always needs LLL commands directly
to be translated (before map to commands the
it can be executed) processor can execute //
commands written in
machine code can be
executed directly by the
processor (A.
“understood” or “read” for
“executed” as BOD) //
machine code commands

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

do not need to be
translated (to be
executed) // machine
code can be executed
more quickly (as no
translation required)
HLL provides support (Some) LLLs do not
for subroutines support subroutines
HLL has built-in data LLLs do not provide data
structures A. examples structures
eg list, array
HLL has wide range of Built-in functions and
built-in libraries not
functions/libraries provided/limited
HLL directly supports Writing code for a loop in
iteration / loops LLL more complex
HLL does not provide LLL provides direct
direct access to access to hardware
hardware NE. computer
HLL code is easier to LLL code is harder to
understand, debug, understand, debug, read
read
HLL facilitates faster LLL program development
development of is slow
programs

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

04 1 mark: Lists are combined firstly into three two-item 3

lists then into a four-item and a three-item list. Award
this mark even if the values combined are incorrect. AO2=3
A. 30 shown again as a one-item list at this stage

1 mark: The first set of lists combined are [34, 87], [2,
17] and [9, 63].
A. 30 shown again as a one-item list at this stage

1 mark: The final two sets of lists combined are [2, 17,
34, 87] and [9, 30, 63] and the final list is the correct
sorted list [2, 9, 17, 30, 34, 63, 87].

Max 2 if any combinations or values are incorrect.

DPT if a student changes a value eg 34 to 31, as long

as it is clear that this is what has happened.

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Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

05 1 Sound is analogue / continuously variable; 1

Computers cannot process analogue / continuously AO1=1

variable data;

Computers can only represent / process data that is

discrete/digital/binary;
A. only discrete/digital/binary data can be represented /
processed
A. “0s and 1s” for “binary”
A. “read” or “understand” for “represent”
NE. sound must be converted to digital/binary values

Max 1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

05 2 3 marks for correct answer 50 3

If incorrect then award up to 2 method marks for each AO2=3

of:

• Converting the file size to bits: writing 1000 x 1000 x

8, 1000000 x 8 or 8000000 somewhere in the working
OR converting the file size to bytes: writing 1000 x
1000 or 1000000 somewhere in the working.
• Calculating how many bits used per second: writing
16 x 10000 or 160000 somewhere in the working OR
calculating how many bytes used per second: writing
2 x 10000 or 20000 somewhere in the working.
• Writing out an equation to equate to the file size in
bits: 16 x 10000 x number of seconds = 1000 x 1000 x
8 OR writing out an equation to equate to the file size
in bytes: 2 x 10000 x number of seconds = 1000 x
1000
• Rearranging equation to calculate number of seconds
(using bits): number of seconds = 1000 x 1000 x 8 /
16 / 10000 OR rearranging equation to calculate
number of seconds (using bytes): number of seconds
= 1000 x 1000 / 2 / 10000

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

06 1 To store programs/data/files while the computer/power is 1

turned off;
A. For long-term storage AO1=1
A. To transfer files between computers
A. To install programs/software from // to distribute
software
NE. It is non-volatile
NE. Main memory / RAM loses its contents when
computer/power turned off

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

06 2 How represented (Max 3): 4

Reflective/non-reflective areas represent 1/0 (A. 0/1) // AO1=4

transition between reflective and non-reflective areas
represents 1 and continuation represents 0;
Reflective and non-reflective areas known as bumps/
lands and pits // 1/0 represented by bump/land and other
binary value represented by pit;
Data stored in one single track // a spiral track;
Discs can be double-sided // double-layered;

How read (Max 3):

Read/write head moves to correct position;

Laser shines at disc;
Light is reflected;
(Amount of) reflected light measured by sensor;

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

07 1 5
Result Count Temp
AO2=5
0 0 1

1 1 4
4 2 1

Mark as follows:

1 mark: 1st value in Result column is 0

1 mark: Count set to 0, then 1, then 2 and then does
not change
1 mark: 1st value in Temp column is 1
1 mark: 2nd value in Temp column is 4, 3rd value in
Temp column is 1 and then does not get changed
1 mark: 2nd value in Result column is 1 and 3rd value
in Result column is 4 and then does not get changed
A. alternative values for 2nd and 3rd values if match 1st
and 2nd values in Temp column

Max 4 if any incorrect values in table

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

07 2 Find the biggest difference between the number entered 1

by the user and the numbers in the List;
A. 5 instead of number entered by user AO2=1
NE. find the highest value of Temp

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

08 1 1 mark: /title in the correct place 3

1 mark: br / in the correct place A. br A. br/
1 mark: ul and /ul in the correct places AO2=3

<html>
<head>
<title>Leap years</title>
</head>
<body>
<p>A leap year has 29 days
in...<br /> ...February</p>
<p>Recent leap years:</p>
<ul>
<li>2020</li>
<li>2016</li>
<li>2012</li>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

08 2 1 mark: color R. colour 2

1 mark: font-weight
AO2=2
<p>A leap year has <span style =
"background-color: yellow; color: blue;
font-weight: bold">29</span> days in...

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

08 3 1 mark: B <img /> 1

Do not award mark if more than one box has been AO1=1
shaded in.

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 1 Manage the execution of instructions // manage the 1

fetch-execute cycle; NE. execute instructions
Decode instructions; AO1=1
Control what other components should do when
executing an instruction;

Max 1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 2 Transfer data/signals/bit patterns (from one component 1

to another);
A. transfer addresses AO1=1
A. specific components named in response

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 3 1 mark: NOT bar above B 3

1 mark: NOT bar above NOT A AND NOT B AO2=3

A. NOT above A, AND gate and right hand side of AND
gate

1 mark: + C
A. if underneath a NOT bar that extends too far

Ignore the inclusion of brackets that would not affect the

order of evaluation.

Q = 𝐀 .𝐁 + 𝐂

Max 2 marks if any errors

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 4 1 mark: two rows correct 2

2 marks: all four rows correct
AO2=2
Inputs Output
A B C Q
0 0 0 0

0 0 1 1

0 1 0 1

0 1 1 1

1 0 0 1

1 0 1 1

1 1 0 1

1 1 1 1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 5 OR; 1
A. correct drawing of an OR gate
AO1=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

09 6 A core/processor can execute one instruction at a time // 2

each core can process instructions independently;
A. each core can work independently AO1=2

Multiple cores means multiple instructions can be

executed at the same time;
NE. the computer can multi-task

A. tasks/processes/programs for instructions

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

09 7 Cache memory is faster (to access) than main 2

memory/RAM;
AO1=2
Larger cache memory means main memory/RAM needs
to be accessed less frequently // there is a higher
probability that data required will be in the cache;

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

10 1 (Two or more) computers/devices 1

connected/wired/linked so that they can
communicate/pass data between them; AO1=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

10 2 Benefits (Max 3) 4

Expensive/hardware resources can be shared; A. AO1=4

examples eg printer, Internet connection
Files/documents (stored on a server) (R. the network)
can be accessed from any computer/workstation;
NE. data can be shared between devices
Files/documents can be shared (by multiple users) //
collaborative working is facilitated // access to shared
data files/databases;
Email/alternative services can be used for
communication; NE. easier communication
Centralised management of security // common login
system can apply to entire network;
Easier to backup files stored centrally / on;
Centralised installation of software updates;

Risks (Max 3)

Failure of a network cable/network device/switch/the

network/a server may mean files/resources cannot be
accessed; NE. whole network will go down
Performance may be slowed by accessing data over the
network; A. examples eg files may load more slowly

Virus/malware/worm may be spread across the network /

spread faster;
A. other security threats eg phishing
NE. virus might attack the computer

Hackers might use the network to hack a computer from

another location // transmissions could be intercepted;
A. hacking can occur

Max 4

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

11 1 A set of rules (to determine how devices communicate); 1

NE. set of instructions
AO1=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

11 2 SMTP: Transmit email (to/between email servers) // 2

send (and receive) email;
R. receive email AO1=2

HTTPS: To make secure web transactions (A.

examples) // to access web pages securely // to access
web pages over an encrypted connection;
NE. it is safer/more secure than HTTP

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

12 1 Link; 1
A. Network Interface, Data Link
AO1=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

12 2 Route packets across the network // select path that 1

packets are sent across network on // address and
package data for transmission; AO1=1
A. adds (source/destination) IP addresses
NE. sends data across the network

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

12 3 Difference (1 mark) 2

Award 1 mark for the statement of either side of a AO1=2

difference from the table.

TCP UDP
TCP is connection- UDP is connectionless
oriented
TCP provides a reliable UDP does not guarantee
connection that packets will arrive (in
order) // best effort
protocol
TCP performs error UDP does not perform
recovery // packets error recovery // packets
received with errors are with errors are just
retransmitted discarded
TCP server maintains UDP is stateless
state
TCP has slower UDP has faster (effective)
(effective) transmission transmission speeds (as
speeds (because of error errors not corrected)
correction overhead)

Example Application (1 mark)

Streaming // gaming // (most) DNS requests/responses;

A. any other example for which either speed is vital or
reliability is relatively unimportant
R. if more than one example given and any of the
examples would not use UDP

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

13 1 Award 1 mark for the naming of a correct method: 3

Blagging/Pretexting // Phishing // Pharming; AO1=3

R. phishing, pharming spelt incorrectly (eg as fishing) for
this mark point but if this mistake is made, marks can be
awarded for the description.

Award up to 2 marks for a description of the named

method (do not award marks for descriptions of other
methods or for descriptions if no method was named):

• Description of blagging/pretexting: Create scenario

to trick him into revealing these details; for example,
by telephoning him and telling him his account has
been locked and needs unlocking; A. other reasonable
examples

• Description of phishing: Send email/SMS with link

for him to follow to login // send email/SMS with a
request to contact the sender; which goes to a fake
login page // so that the criminal can collect his
login/personal details (that might help obtain the login);
A. “message” for “SMS”

• Description of pharming: Redirect his login to

another server / website; which can collect his login
details;

Award Max 2 marks if not answered in context.

Max 3

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

13 2 Attempting to gain access to resources/a network/a 2

system;
AO1=2
with the authority of the owners;
without / with limited knowledge of usernames /
passwords / login details / other normal means of
access;
in order to identify security weaknesses / flaws;
NE. to ensure systems are secure

Max 1 if neither the third or fourth mark points are made.

Max 2

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

14 1 To reduce file size; 1

To reduce the time it will take to transmit data;
To reduce the number of bits used to represent data; AO1=1
To increase the amount of data / number of files that
can be stored in a certain amount of memory / on a
device; A. examples of devices

Max 1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

14 2 1 mark: A added in correct place in diagram 3

1 mark: T added in correct place in diagram
1 mark: C added in correct place in diagram AO2=3

Do not award the mark for a letter if it has been

added in more than one place.

Ignore values (other than A,T, C) written in the

nodes that should be empty.

Max 2 marks if any errors

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

14 3 3; 1

AO2=1

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

15 1 Smallmoney // Money // Currency // Float // Real // 1

Decimal // Double;
AO2=1
A. Minor errors in spelling
A. Other data types that could store a non-integer
numeric value
NE. Number

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

15 2 StudentID; 1
A. Minor errors in spelling and case and space between
Student and ID AO2=1

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 MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

15 3 3
Surname BookID Cost
Jalal 1 4.49 AO2=3
Sklair 3 8.99

1 mark: For each record listed: the fields listed are the
correct ones (Surname, BookID, Cost), with the
correct values and no other fields are displayed. Award
this mark whether or not the records are the correct
ones, so long as they have been correctly linked using
the primary and foreign keys.

1 mark: Record for Jalal included in results.

1 mark: Record for Sklair included in results

Award the two marks for having the correct records

(Jalal, Sklair) regardless of which fields are shown for the
records.

Max 1 of the two marks for having the correct records

(Jalal, Sklair) if any other records also included.

Max 2 if:
• any incorrect data included in results table
• results table is incomplete
• fields are included in the results table in a different
order (eg BookID before Surname)

A. Minor spelling and case errors in Surname field.

A. Use of different symbol to decimal point in Cost field.
A. Both records written on same row, so long as one is
written after the other and the fields are listed in the
same order for each record.
I. Whether fieldnames are or are not included at top of
results.

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MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE – 9210/2 – JUNE 2022

Question Part Marking guidance Total

marks

15 4 1 mark for correct row ticked 1

R. more than one row ticked
A. use of alternative symbol than tick AO2=1

Tick
SQL Query
one
DELETE StudentID 27
FROM Student
DELETE "Harpreet Singh"
FROM Student
DELETE
FROM Student ✓
WHERE StudentID = 27
DELETE 27
FROM StudentID
IN Student

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