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J277 1 Paper 1 diagnostic and misconception clinic

Part 5 of 7 · J277 Paper 1 · Exam transition

Targeted Paper 1 clinics for diagnosing a misconception and applying the corrected idea.

Students will:

  • distinguish network reach, device roles and internet access
  • correct memory and register misconceptions
  • choose the relevant operating-system or security function
  • explain representation settings and responsible use of data

Inside: 7 text sections, 4 multiple-choice activities, 1 completion activity, 5 written answers. 19 marks. Suggested time: 45–65 minutes. 1 diagram.

Includes a teacher guide with sections, timings, misconceptions and repair routes.

Series: J277 Paper 1 · Exam transition, part 5 of 7.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 17 cells
  • About 50 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 27 Oct 2026

Preview

The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.

Diagnostic and misconception clinic

Use a short repair, then test the distinction. After feedback, choose up to three weak areas for further practice; you do not need to reread every topic equally.

1. Local networks and the Internet

A LAN covers a local geographical area; a WAN links networks over a large area and may use infrastructure belonging to other organisations. There is no fixed device-count boundary.

Wi-Fi connects a device wirelessly to a local network. The Internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks. One connection can work while the other fails.

A local connection is not an Internet connection A tablet connects by Wi-Fi to the local wireless access point and router. A separate connection links the router to the Internet. If that outside connection fails, the tablet can still be connected to the local network by Wi-Fi. Two connections, different jobs Tablet Wi-Fi works Local access point and router Outside link fails Internet Local Wi-Fi may still be available.
Multiple choice1 mark

A network covers one college site and has 900 devices. Which conclusion is justified?

  • AIt must be a WAN because there are more than 100 devices
  • BIt can be a LAN because its geographical coverage is local
  • CIt must be the Internet because it uses Wi-Fi
  • DA local network cannot contain switches
Written answer2 marks

A tablet is connected to a leisure centre's Wi-Fi, but cannot open any external websites. Explain how both can be true.

Students type their answer here.

2. Addresses are not the page

A switch forwards data within a LAN; a router forwards data between networks. An IPv4 address has four denary groups from 0 to 255, separated by full stops. A MAC address is assigned to a network interface and is commonly shown as six pairs of hexadecimal digits.

DNS looks up the IP address associated with a domain name. The address is returned to the client so it can contact the server. DNS does not send the web page itself.

Multiple choice1 mark

Which is a valid IPv4 address?

  • A172.16.4.300
  • BGG:21:44:9A:10:EF
  • C172.16.4.27
  • Dlibrary.example
Written answer3 marks

A browser needs the IP address for garden.example, and has no matching address saved. Describe how DNS provides the address.

Students type their answer here.

3. Memory and saved files

ROM is primary, non-volatile memory. It can hold firmware/start-up instructions; secondary storage keeps games, applications and user files for later use. Both can retain contents without power, so non-volatility alone does not distinguish their roles.

When RAM cannot hold the active work, virtual memory uses space on secondary storage temporarily. Transferring data between it and RAM lets work continue, but secondary storage is slower to access. Virtual memory is not extra physical RAM and does not guarantee faster performance.

Written answer2 marks

Compare the role of ROM with the role of secondary storage in a games console.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice1 mark

A console frequently transfers data between RAM and virtual memory. Why can this reduce responsiveness?

  • ASecondary storage is slower to access than RAM
  • BROM loses its contents when power is removed
  • CVirtual memory creates more physical RAM chips
  • DThe processor no longer needs instructions

4. Addresses, values and device instructions

RegisterWhat it holds
MARAddress of the memory location being accessed.
MDRData or an instruction being transferred to/from memory.
PCAddress of the next instruction to fetch.
ACCIntermediate arithmetic/logic results.

An address says where; data is the value. The ALU performs operations and the control unit coordinates them; neither is a register to choose in the next task.

The OS manages memory and device communication. A driver is software for a particular device: it translates requests into instructions the device understands.

Fill in the blanks4 marks
Name the register in each case. (a) Holds the memory address currently accessed: Answer 1 (b) Holds the value returned from that memory location: Answer 2 (c) Holds the next instruction address: Answer 3 (d) Holds an intermediate calculation result: Answer 4
Written answer2 marks

A laptop is connected to a new label printer. Describe how a device driver helps the operating system use this printer.

Students type their answer here.

5. One quantity at a time

An image's resolution concerns its pixels; colour depth is bits per pixel. A sound's sample rate is measurements per second; bit depth is bits available for each sample, controlling the range of amplitude values.

Changing the sample rate is not the same as changing bit depth. For shift and carry errors, use P1X02 to practise the calculation as well as the explanation.

Multiple choice1 mark

A sound recording's sample rate stays fixed, but its bit depth increases. What changes directly?

  • AMore samples are measured each second
  • BMore amplitude values can be represented by each sample
  • CMore pixels are stored in the sound
  • DThe recording must become shorter

6. Match a control or law to the action

Encryption protects the meaning of data without stopping a copy being intercepted. A firewall filters traffic using rules; it does not repair every weakness.

The Data Protection Act 2018, alongside UK GDPR, concerns using personal data responsibly. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 concerns unauthorised access and related unauthorised acts. A working password is not permission.

Written answer2 marks

An employee uses someone else's working password to enter a private computer account without permission. Name the most relevant law and explain why it applies.

Students type their answer here.

Use the diagnosis

After feedback, choose up to three repairs. Return to NET01–NET02 for networks/addresses, MEM01–MEM02 for memory, SA01 for registers, SS01 for drivers, DR03 for sound, or IMP03 for computer misuse. Complete a fresh task without notes, then explain what changed in your answer.

Use the final clinics independently. A correct term is useful; a question asking how or why also needs its meaning or effect.