Edexcel 1CP2 6.4.4: Authentication
The free BugBot lessons that teach this point, a robot to try it on, and the past-paper questions that test it.
What it covers
A robot that obeys anyone who types a command is a robot anyone can crash. Authentication is checking that a user is who they claim to be before letting them in. In this lesson BugBot only drives for its registered operators, and only after they prove it.
- Something you know
- Say less when it fails
- Limiting attempts
- Better than a password
- Authentication and validation together
Or do it in the simulator, with tasks that mark themselves
Lessons that teach it
- F6.2 Authentication Robust programs
Usernames and passwords, limiting attempts, and stronger ways to prove who someone is. - F11.5 Passwords and authentication Cyber security
Ways to authenticate, strong passwords, 2FA, CAPTCHA and hashing.
Try it on a robot
The task from F6.2 Authentication, running here. Change the program and press Run.
Past paper questions on this
Real exam questions that test this, each worked through with a program you can run.
- AQA 8525 June 2024 Paper 1, Question 11: Authenticate against two username and password pairs until valid 7 marks
- AQA 8525 June 2023 Paper 1, Question 6: Fill the gaps in a login routine 4 marks
- Edexcel 1CP2 June 2023 Paper 2, Question 6: Authenticate against a 2D array with three outcomes 15 marks
- Edexcel 1CP2 Sample Paper 2, Question 6: A login search of a sorted 2D list with passcode validation and an early stop 15 marks
The specification is Edexcel's own document; this page says which of our lessons teach point 6.4.4 and is not endorsed by the board.