Personalised Feedback Sheet for IGCSE Section 1 Types and Components of Computers

Name: Maddy Underwood

Target grade:
Score on this assessment: 50/58
Grade for this assessment: A

General feedback/class needs:
The majority of you in this class really nailed this test. You clearly knew the main components of a
computer and most of you could give a definition for RAM and ROM.
Software and Hardware didnt seem to pose any problems for you, most students achieved the full 8
marks on question 8.
Common problems seemed to be that you didnt know the reasons why components such as RAM
and ROM are needed in a computer system and that Backing Storage is NOT backup!
Next, most of you seemed to struggle on things that an operating system does. Many of you told me
it was software that controls the whole system but we were looking for more in depth answers such
as handles any program errors or crashes to prevent the whole computer freezing.
Finally, the weakest area for you all was types of computers and their uses. It was clear that many of
you didnt know what a mainframe was, for example, nor the types of situations it would be used in.
Your personal targets:
1. To revise operating systems and learn at least 3 tasks that an operating system does
2. To not overthink my answer to put the one will get the marks on, rather than trying to put
an overcomplicated answer
3. To revise backing storage and make sure I dont use brand names
Review
One question I got 100% right was Describe the difference between RAM and ROM because I
named different points about RAM and ROM, and compared each point with the other
One question I nearly got right was Give a reason why each of the following are needed in
a computer system because I got the bit about ROM and backing storage right, but I tried
to overthink RAM and put a more complicated answer than I needed to
One question I got completely wrong was Which is the odd one out: Laptop,
Mainframe, Desktop, Netbook and why because I originally put the right answer for part of
it , but then I over thought it and tried to do a clever answer, when I could have put my first
answer and got it right.

Challenge/Extension
You will have been allocated an exam question to further your knowledge or help you to overcome a
misconception. Copy out the question here in full and answer it.
Explain why computer systems have both backing storage and RAM [3 marks]
Ram stores the programs and data that the user is currently working on, like email, or word
processing. RAM is volatile which means that when the computer is turned off it loses all its data.
Backing storage is where work goes to that has been saved. It permanently stores data. It is non-
volatile and means when the computer is turned off, the data will still be there.
Describe three drawbacks of using a command line interface operating [3 marks]
1. You have to learn complicated commands
2. It is not very intuitive
3. It can only be used by experienced programmers