AQA · GCSE · Computer Science
Course version: 8525 · Version from Sept 2020
Students should be aware that SSDs use electrical circuits to persistently…
Full specification wording
Systems architecture: Students should be aware that SSDs use electrical circuits to persistently store data but will not need to know the precise details such as use of NAND gates.
A solid state drive (SSD) stores data using electrical circuits rather than spinning platters or moving heads.
Checked against the AQA 8525 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 27 of 30
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A solid state drive (SSD) stores data using electrical circuits rather than spinning platters or moving heads. Because there are no moving parts, data is held in flash memory cells that keep their state when power is removed, so storage is persistent: the contents survive a shutdown. You should be able to state that an SSD uses electrical circuits to store data persistently, and recognise this as the key contrast with magnetic and optical media. You do not need the internal engineering detail, such as how NAND gates or floating-gate transistors are wired. A useful test is to ask whether a statement describes the general principle (electrical circuits, persistent, no moving parts) or the precise circuit-level detail; only the former is required.
What earns the marks
- States that an SSD stores data using electrical circuits (solid state/flash memory) rather than moving parts.
- States that SSD storage is persistent, so data remains when the power is switched off.
- Recognises that the precise internal detail, such as the use of NAND gates, is beyond the required knowledge.
- Distinguishes SSD storage from magnetic storage (spinning platters, moving read/write heads) and optical storage.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking an SSD is volatile because it is electronic.
Put it right by noting that flash memory retains data without power, so SSD storage is persistent.
Believing the learner must explain NAND gates or transistor-level circuits.
Put it right by keeping to the general principle that electrical circuits store the data.
Confusing an SSD with RAM.
Put it right by stressing that RAM is working memory cleared on shutdown, whereas an SSD is persistent secondary storage.
Exam tips
- Read the option or question carefully to see whether it asks for the general principle or the forbidden circuit-level detail.
- Link the answer explicitly to persistence: say the data survives when power is removed.
- Use the no-moving-parts point as a quick way to separate SSD from magnetic storage.
Try the lesson
The start of the Systems architecture: Students should be aware that SSDs use electrical circuits to persistently store data but will not need to know the precise details such as use of NAND gates. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which type of component does a solid state drive (SSD) rely on to store data without any moving parts?
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