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Cameroon GCE A Level ICT study materials
Cameroon GCE A Level ICT study resources

Cameroon GCE A Level ICT practice questions

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Question 1Information and Communication Technology

In a relational database, which key uniquely identifies each record in a table and cannot contain null values?

  1. Candidate key
  2. Primary key Correct answer.
  3. Foreign key
  4. Alternate key

Explanation

A primary key is the chosen identifier for rows in a table; by definition it must be unique for every record and may not hold a null value. Candidate keys are any minimal unique identifiers, but only one of them is designated as the primary key.

Question 2Information and Communication Technology

A school network uses the address block 192.168.10.0/24 and needs to create four equal subnets. What subnet mask should be applied?

  1. 255.255.255.192 Correct answer.
  2. 255.255.255.240
  3. 255.255.255.128
  4. 255.255.255.224

Explanation

Borrowing two host bits from a /24 prefix produces four subnets and a new prefix of /26. A /26 mask has 26 network bits set, giving 255.255.255.192 in dotted decimal.

Question 3Information and Communication Technology

Which protocol operates at the transport layer and provides reliable, connection-oriented delivery with acknowledgements and retransmission?

  1. IP
  2. UDP
  3. TCP Correct answer.
  4. ICMP

Explanation

TCP establishes a connection through a three-way handshake and uses sequence numbers, acknowledgements and retransmission to guarantee ordered, reliable delivery. UDP is connectionless and does not guarantee delivery, while IP and ICMP operate at the network layer.

Question 4Information and Communication Technology

A spreadsheet cell contains the formula =IF(B2>=50,"Pass","Fail"). What is displayed when B2 contains 49?

  1. Pass
  2. An error value
  3. 49
  4. Fail Correct answer.

Explanation

The IF function evaluates the logical test B2>=50; since 49 is not greater than or equal to 50, the test is false and the third argument is returned. The text "Fail" is therefore displayed.

Question 5Information and Communication Technology

In a word processor, which feature automatically places a list of headings with their page numbers at the start of a long document and updates when the document changes?

  1. Table of contents Correct answer.
  2. Mail merge
  3. Track changes
  4. Footnote

Explanation

A table of contents is generated from heading styles applied in the document and inserts page numbers that can be refreshed after edits. Mail merge combines a main document with a data source, footnotes annotate text, and track changes records revisions.

Question 6Information and Communication Technology

Which number base is used internally by digital computers because it maps directly onto the two stable states of a logic circuit?

  1. Decimal
  2. Hexadecimal
  3. Binary Correct answer.
  4. Octal

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable voltage states, represented as 0 and 1, so binary is the natural internal representation. Octal and hexadecimal are compact shorthand notations used by humans to write binary values more briefly.

Question 7Information and Communication Technology

Which generation of computers is characterised by the use of integrated circuits and the emergence of operating systems?

  1. Fourth generation
  2. First generation
  3. Second generation
  4. Third generation Correct answer.

Explanation

Third-generation computers replaced discrete transistors with integrated circuits and saw the introduction of operating systems and multi-programming. First generation used vacuum tubes, second used transistors, and fourth used microprocessors.

Question 8Information and Communication Technology

Which type of software is designed to manage hardware resources and provide services on which application programs depend?

  1. Application software
  2. Utility software
  3. Firmware
  4. System software Correct answer.

Explanation

System software, of which the operating system is the main example, controls hardware, manages memory and files, and provides the platform for application programs. Utility programs and applications run on top of this platform.

Question 9Information and Communication Technology

A file is 3 MB in size. Approximately how many bits does it contain, taking 1 MB as 1 048 576 bytes?

  1. About 300 million bits
  2. About 3 million bits
  3. About 24 million bits
  4. About 25 million bits Correct answer.

Explanation

Three megabytes equal 3 × 1 048 576 = 3 145 728 bytes, and each byte holds 8 bits. Multiplying gives roughly 25 165 824 bits, so about 25 million bits.

Question 10Information and Communication Technology

Which transmission medium is least affected by electromagnetic interference and offers the highest bandwidth over long distances?

  1. Microwave radio
  2. Unshielded twisted pair
  3. Optical fibre Correct answer.
  4. Coaxial cable

Explanation

Optical fibre carries data as pulses of light inside a glass or plastic core, so it is immune to electromagnetic interference and supports very high bandwidth over long distances. Copper cables and radio links are susceptible to interference and attenuation.

Question 11Information and Communication Technology

In a star topology, what happens to the rest of the network when one workstation's cable fails?

  1. The entire network stops working
  2. The network automatically switches to a bus topology
  3. All workstations slow down but remain connected
  4. Only that workstation loses connectivity Correct answer.

Explanation

In a star topology each device has its own dedicated link to a central hub or switch, so a single cable failure isolates only that device. The central device remains a single point of failure if it fails, but individual links are independent.

Question 12Information and Communication Technology

Which device forwards data packets between different networks by examining IP addresses and choosing a route?

  1. Router Correct answer.
  2. Repeater
  3. Hub
  4. Switch

Explanation

A router operates at the network layer, reads the destination IP address of each packet and uses a routing table to forward it toward the correct network. Switches and hubs work within a single local network using MAC addresses.

Question 13Information and Communication Technology

A student wants to send an email attachment containing a program that some mail servers may reject. Which encoding scheme converts binary data into printable ASCII characters for safe transport?

  1. RLE
  2. ASCII
  3. Base64 Correct answer.
  4. Unicode

Explanation

Base64 encodes binary data into a restricted set of 64 printable ASCII characters, which allows attachments to pass safely through text-based mail systems. ASCII and Unicode are character sets, and RLE is a compression method.

Question 14Information and Communication Technology

Which law in Cameroon governs the protection of personal data and the processing of electronic communications?

  1. Law No. 2016/007 of 12 July 2016 on the Penal Code
  2. Law No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on cybersecurity and cybercriminality Correct answer.
  3. Law No. 2011/012 of 6 May 2011 on consumer protection
  4. Law No. 2019/020 of 27 December 2019 on electronic communications

Explanation

Law No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on cybersecurity and cybercriminality in Cameroon includes provisions on the protection of personal data processed in electronic systems. Candidates should link personal data protection in Cameroon to this cybersecurity statute.

Question 15Information and Communication Technology

Which of the following best describes the role of a compiler in program development?

  1. It executes the source program one statement at a time
  2. It links library routines into an executable file
  3. It translates a high-level source program into machine code before execution Correct answer.
  4. It converts machine code back into high-level source code

Explanation

A compiler reads the whole source program and translates it into object or machine code that can then be executed. An interpreter executes source statements one at a time, and a linker combines object files with library routines.

Question 16Information and Communication Technology

A programmer writes a loop intended to run ten times but uses the condition WHILE count < 10 starting from count = 0 and forgets to increment count. What type of error is this?

  1. Compilation error from an undeclared variable
  2. Syntax error
  3. Runtime error from division by zero
  4. Logic error causing an infinite loop Correct answer.

Explanation

The code is syntactically valid and will compile, but the missing increment means the condition never becomes false, so the loop never terminates. This is a logic error whose observable symptom is an infinite loop.

Question 17Information and Communication Technology

In a relational database, which SQL clause is used to filter rows returned by a SELECT statement?

  1. GROUP BY
  2. WHERE Correct answer.
  3. HAVING
  4. ORDER BY

Explanation

The WHERE clause specifies a condition that each row must satisfy to be included in the result set. GROUP BY groups rows for aggregation, HAVING filters groups, and ORDER BY sorts the output.

Question 18Information and Communication Technology

Which addressing mode is used when the operand is contained in the instruction itself rather than fetched from memory?

  1. Indexed addressing
  2. Direct addressing
  3. Immediate addressing Correct answer.
  4. Indirect addressing

Explanation

In immediate addressing the operand value is part of the instruction, so no memory fetch is needed for the data. Direct addressing gives the memory address of the operand, indirect gives an address that points to the operand, and indexed adds an index register to a base address.

Question 19Information and Communication Technology

A company wants to prevent employees from copying confidential files onto removable USB drives while still allowing them to use the drives for approved backups. Which control best meets this requirement?

  1. Asking employees to sign an acceptable-use policy only
  2. Disabling all USB ports on every workstation permanently
  3. Configuring a firewall rule to block USB traffic
  4. Applying a device-control policy that permits only whitelisted encrypted drives Correct answer.

Explanation

A device-control policy can block unauthorised removable media while allowing specifically approved, encrypted drives, meeting both the security and backup needs. This combines technical enforcement with controlled exceptions.

Question 20Information and Communication Technology

Which statement correctly distinguishes symmetric from asymmetric encryption?

  1. Symmetric encryption cannot be reversed, while asymmetric encryption is always reversible
  2. Symmetric encryption is used only for digital signatures, while asymmetric encryption is used only for bulk data
  3. Symmetric encryption uses one shared secret key, while asymmetric encryption uses a public and a private key pair Correct answer.
  4. Symmetric encryption uses a public key, while asymmetric encryption uses a shared private key

Explanation

Symmetric algorithms such as AES use the same secret key for encryption and decryption, so the key must be shared securely. Asymmetric algorithms such as RSA use a public key to encrypt and a mathematically related private key to decrypt, and they can also create digital signatures.

Question 21Information and Communication Technology

During the design phase of the system development life cycle, which document defines what a system must do in terms of inputs, processes and outputs without prescribing how it is built?

  1. User manual
  2. Test plan
  3. Implementation schedule
  4. Functional specification Correct answer.

Explanation

A functional specification states the required behaviour and constraints of the proposed system, forming the basis for design and later testing. A user manual documents a finished system, and a test plan describes verification activities.

Question 22Information and Communication Technology

A relational table stores student records. Removing the student's name and address from the enrolment table and placing them in a separate student table mainly achieves which benefit?

  1. Elimination of the need for primary keys
  2. Increased data redundancy
  3. Reduced data redundancy and update anomalies Correct answer.
  4. Faster printing of reports

Explanation

Normalisation separates data into related tables so each fact is stored once, reducing redundancy and preventing update, insertion and deletion anomalies. Primary keys are still required to link the tables.

Question 23Information and Communication Technology

In a queue data structure, which element is removed first?

  1. The most recently added element
  2. The largest element
  3. The element at the middle position
  4. The least recently added element Correct answer.

Explanation

A queue follows the first-in-first-out principle, so the element that has waited longest is removed first. A stack, by contrast, removes the most recently added element (last-in-first-out).

Question 24Information and Communication Technology

Which HTML element is used to create a hyperlink to another web page?

  1. <link>
  2. <p>
  3. <a> Correct answer.
  4. <img>

Explanation

The anchor element <a> with an href attribute creates a clickable hyperlink to another resource. The <link> element links external resources such as stylesheets and is not used for user-clickable navigation.

Question 25Information and Communication Technology

A student claims that a spreadsheet model is a simulation because it uses formulas. Which statement best evaluates this claim?

  1. The claim is valid because any formula makes a model a simulation
  2. The claim is weak because a simulation must model the behaviour of a system over time in response to varying inputs, which a static formula table may not do Correct answer.
  3. The claim is weak because spreadsheets cannot store numbers
  4. The claim is valid because spreadsheets can recalculate automatically

Explanation

A simulation represents how a system behaves over time as its inputs change, often using repeated recalculation and random or time-based variables. A spreadsheet with formulas may support such modelling, but formulas alone do not make a static table a simulation.

Question 26Information and Communication Technology

Which type of primary memory loses its stored contents when the computer is switched off?

  1. Flash memory
  2. Volatile RAM Correct answer.
  3. ROM
  4. Magnetic disk

Explanation

RAM is volatile, meaning its contents are erased when power is removed. ROM, flash memory and magnetic disks all retain data without a continuous power supply.

Question 27Information and Communication Technology

A school connects all its computers to a single central switch through which every message passes. Which network topology does this describe?

  1. Mesh
  2. Star Correct answer.
  3. Ring
  4. Bus

Explanation

In a star topology each node connects to a central device such as a switch or hub, and traffic passes through that centre. A bus uses one shared backbone cable, while a ring passes data node to node in a loop.

Question 28Information and Communication Technology

Which software category includes word processors, spreadsheets and presentation packages?

  1. Systems software
  2. Firmware
  3. Utility software
  4. Application software Correct answer.

Explanation

Application software performs tasks for the end user, such as word processing or spreadsheet calculation. Systems software, utilities and firmware support the machine rather than directly serving user productivity tasks.

Question 29Information and Communication Technology

Which protocol is used to transfer web pages from a web server to a browser?

  1. FTP
  2. SMTP
  3. HTTP Correct answer.
  4. SNMP

Explanation

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) governs the request and delivery of web resources between browser and server. SMTP handles outgoing mail, FTP transfers files, and SNMP manages network devices.

Question 30Information and Communication Technology

In a spreadsheet, which feature allows a user to display only records that meet a stated condition while hiding the rest?

  1. Freezing panes
  2. Data validation
  3. Filtering Correct answer.
  4. Sorting

Explanation

Filtering temporarily hides rows that do not satisfy a criterion so only matching records remain visible. Sorting only reorders records, freezing panes fixes rows on screen, and validation restricts what may be entered.

Question 31Information and Communication Technology

Which number system uses the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F?

  1. Decimal
  2. Octal
  3. Binary
  4. Hexadecimal Correct answer.

Explanation

Hexadecimal is base 16, using digits 0-9 and letters A-F to represent values ten to fifteen. Binary uses two symbols, octal eight, and decimal ten.

Question 32Information and Communication Technology

Which of these is an example of system software?

  1. An operating system Correct answer.
  2. A web browser
  3. A photo editor
  4. A spreadsheet program

Explanation

System software includes the operating system, which controls hardware and provides a platform for other programs. Spreadsheets, browsers and photo editors are application software used directly by people.

Question 33Information and Communication Technology

Which device converts digital signals from a computer into analogue signals suitable for transmission over a telephone line?

  1. Router
  2. Switch
  3. Repeater
  4. Modem Correct answer.

Explanation

A modem performs modulation and demodulation, translating between digital computer data and analogue carrier signals. Routers forward packets, switches connect LAN segments, and repeaters regenerate weakened signals.

Question 34Information and Communication Technology

A student types a formula into a spreadsheet cell. Which symbol must appear first so the software treats the entry as a formula rather than text?

  1. = Correct answer.
  2. @
  3. #
  4. +

Explanation

Spreadsheet formulas normally begin with the equals sign, which signals that the following expression is to be evaluated. Without it, the entry is stored as ordinary text.

Question 35Information and Communication Technology

A program stores a student's age in a variable declared as an integer. Which value would cause a type error when assigned?

  1. 17
  2. 200
  3. "seventeen" Correct answer.
  4. 0

Explanation

An integer variable holds whole numeric values, so a quoted string such as "seventeen" belongs to a different data type and cannot be stored without conversion. The other options are all valid whole numbers.

Question 36Information and Communication Technology

Which statement best describes the purpose of an index in a database table?

  1. It encrypts the column so unauthorised users cannot read it
  2. It permanently removes duplicate records from the table
  3. It speeds up searches on a column at the cost of extra storage and slower updates Correct answer.
  4. It enforces that every value in a column is unique

Explanation

An index is a separate structure that lets the database locate rows quickly without scanning the whole table. It consumes storage and must be maintained on insert or update, so write operations can slow down.

Question 37Information and Communication Technology

Which of these is a valid reason for using a relational database rather than a flat file to store school records?

  1. It avoids the need to back up the data
  2. It reduces data redundancy and enforces relationships between tables Correct answer.
  3. It removes the need to define data types
  4. It guarantees the data will never contain errors

Explanation

Relational databases split data into related tables, which cuts duplication and uses keys to link records consistently. Backups, data types and error checking are still required, so the other claims are false.

Question 38Information and Communication Technology

Which statement correctly describes the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?

  1. The Web is the physical cabling, while the Internet is the set of web pages
  2. The Internet is the global network of networks, while the Web is one service that runs on it Correct answer.
  3. The Internet only carries email, while the Web carries all other traffic
  4. They are two names for exactly the same system

Explanation

The Internet is the underlying worldwide interconnection of networks using TCP/IP. The World Wide Web is a hypertext service delivered over that infrastructure, alongside email, file transfer and others.

Question 39Information and Communication Technology

A company wants to allow remote workers to connect securely to its private network over the Internet. Which technology is most appropriate?

  1. A virtual private network Correct answer.
  2. A proxy cache server
  3. A print spooler
  4. A domain name system server

Explanation

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over a public network so remote users appear to be inside the private network. Proxy caches, DNS servers and print spoolers serve unrelated functions.

Question 40Information and Communication Technology

Which of these best describes the role of a firewall on a network?

  1. It assigns IP addresses to devices automatically
  2. It stores backup copies of server data
  3. It filters incoming and outgoing traffic according to defined rules Correct answer.
  4. It converts domain names into IP addresses

Explanation

A firewall inspects packets and permits or blocks them based on configured rules, forming a barrier between networks. Address assignment is done by DHCP, name resolution by DNS, and backup by separate storage systems.

Question 41Information and Communication Technology

Which statement correctly describes the difference between lossy and lossless compression?

  1. Both methods preserve all original data but differ only in speed
  2. Lossless compression only works on video, while lossy works on all files
  3. Lossy compression reduces file size by discarding some data permanently, while lossless compression preserves all original data Correct answer.
  4. Lossy compression is reversible, while lossless compression permanently removes data

Explanation

Lossy compression permanently removes detail that is deemed less important, which is acceptable for images or audio. Lossless compression encodes data more efficiently so the original can be reconstructed exactly.

Question 42Information and Communication Technology

In a program, a variable declared inside a function is accessible only within that function. Which term describes this variable?

  1. Parameter
  2. Local variable Correct answer.
  3. Constant
  4. Global variable

Explanation

A local variable has scope limited to the block or function in which it is declared. A global variable is accessible throughout the program, a constant has a fixed value, and a parameter receives an argument.

Question 43Information and Communication Technology

Which logic gate produces a HIGH output only when all of its inputs are HIGH?

  1. OR gate
  2. AND gate Correct answer.
  3. XOR gate
  4. NOT gate

Explanation

The AND gate outputs 1 only when every input is 1. An OR gate outputs 1 if any input is 1, a NOT gate inverts a single input, and an XOR gate outputs 1 when inputs differ.

Question 44Information and Communication Technology

A user receives an email that appears to come from a bank and asks them to confirm their password through a link. Which security threat does this describe?

  1. Packet sniffing
  2. Brute force attack
  3. Phishing Correct answer.
  4. Denial of service

Explanation

Phishing uses deceptive messages that impersonate a trusted organisation to trick users into revealing credentials. Denial of service floods a service, brute force guesses passwords, and sniffing captures traffic.

Question 45Information and Communication Technology

Which statement best explains why a compiler is used before distributing a program to users?

  1. It translates the program into a natural language for documentation
  2. It stores the source code in a database for later editing
  3. It converts the whole source code into machine code so the program can run without the compiler present Correct answer.
  4. It executes the source code line by line each time the program runs

Explanation

A compiler translates the entire source program into object or machine code ahead of execution. The resulting executable can run independently, unlike an interpreter that translates line by line at run time.

Question 46Information and Communication Technology

A system analyst is deciding whether to build a new system in-house or buy an off-the-shelf package. Which factor most strongly favours buying a package?

  1. The organisation has a large team of programmers available
  2. The organisation wants complete control over the source code
  3. The organisation has requirements that are unique and highly specialised
  4. The organisation needs the system deployed quickly and at lower cost Correct answer.

Explanation

Off-the-shelf packages are already developed, so they can be deployed faster and usually cost less than custom development. Unique requirements, source code control and spare programming capacity all favour building in-house.

Question 47Information and Communication Technology

A relational table has a composite primary key made of two columns. What must be true of those two columns together?

  1. Their combined values must be unique and neither may be null Correct answer.
  2. Only the first column must be unique, while the second may repeat
  3. The columns must both be of text data type
  4. Each column individually must contain unique values

Explanation

A composite key uniquely identifies each row through the combination of its columns, and primary key columns cannot contain nulls. Individual columns may repeat values as long as each combination is unique.

Question 48Information and Communication Technology

A recursive function has no base case. What is the most likely consequence when it is called?

  1. It compiles but produces a syntax error at run time
  2. It returns zero immediately
  3. It keeps calling itself until the stack overflows Correct answer.
  4. It automatically converts into an iterative loop

Explanation

A recursive function without a terminating base case never stops calling itself, so each call adds a stack frame until the call stack is exhausted. The result is a stack overflow or runtime crash.

Question 49Information and Communication Technology

A company stores customer passwords as plain text in its database. Which change most improves security if the database is stolen?

  1. Encrypting the database file with a key stored beside it
  2. Restricting access to the database to administrators only
  3. Storing a salted hash of each password instead of the password itself Correct answer.
  4. Increasing the length of the password field

Explanation

Salting and hashing converts each password into a one-way value, so a stolen database does not reveal the passwords. Storing the encryption key beside the file or relying only on access control leaves the data recoverable.

Question 50Information and Communication Technology

A network administrator notices that a switch port is receiving frames addressed to many different MAC addresses in rapid succession. Which condition is most likely?

  1. A scheduled firmware update on the switch
  2. A DNS resolution failure on the port
  3. A normal pattern of unicast traffic on the port
  4. A MAC flooding attack attempting to overflow the switch table Correct answer.

Explanation

MAC flooding sends frames with many different source addresses to exhaust the switch's address table, causing it to broadcast traffic it cannot map. Ordinary unicast traffic shows stable, limited addresses per port.