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EPSO Digital Skills study materials
EPSO Digital Skills study resources

EPSO Digital Skills practice questions

One question at a time. Build your EPSO Digital Skills understanding.

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Question 1Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which of the following is the primary reason why search results for the exact same query may differ between two users searching simultaneously on different devices?

  1. User search history, localization settings, and personalization algorithms Correct answer.
  2. Network routing latency and DNS server response times
  3. Differences in screen resolution and device hardware specifications
  4. The physical keyboard layout configured on the devices

Explanation

Search engines use localization (IP address), browser search history, language preferences, and personalization algorithms to tailor results to the individual user.

Question 2Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

You want to find PDF documents published on the official European Union website (europa.eu) regarding digital skills. Which search query uses the correct syntax?

  1. site:europa.eu file:pdf digital skills
  2. site:europa.eu filetype:pdf "digital skills" Correct answer.
  3. domain:europa.eu ext:pdf "digital skills"
  4. url:europa.eu format:pdf digital skills

Explanation

The site: operator restricts search to europa.eu, the filetype: operator filters for PDF files, and the quotes around "digital skills" ensure the exact phrase is matched.

Question 3Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When assessing the credibility of an online news article, which of the following is the most reliable cross-referencing practice?

  1. Checking if the article has been shared widely on social media platforms
  2. Verifying if other users have left positive comments supporting the article
  3. Verifying the author credentials and checking if reputable news outlets report the same facts Correct answer.
  4. Reading the article aloud to see if the tone is emotional and persuasive

Explanation

Fact-checking requires evaluating the author's expertise, the source's reputation, and verifying if other independent, established outlets have corroborated the information.

Question 4Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When presenting data comparisons across fifteen different categories, which chart type is generally most appropriate for readability?

  1. A horizontal bar chart Correct answer.
  2. A standard 3D pie chart
  3. A radar chart
  4. A single scatter plot

Explanation

Horizontal bar charts are highly legible when comparing many categories (like 15), as they allow clear labels on the y-axis and straightforward length comparisons.

Question 5Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

What is the primary function of applying a filter to a dataset in a spreadsheet application?

  1. To permanently erase rows that do not meet specified criteria
  2. To temporarily hide rows that do not meet specified criteria without deleting them Correct answer.
  3. To automatically apply conditional formatting to matching rows
  4. To sort the rows in ascending alphabetical order based on the column headers

Explanation

Filters allow users to temporarily hide data that is not relevant to their current focus, leaving the original data fully intact.

Question 6Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

An Excel spreadsheet has values in cells A1 through A10. Which formula calculates the average of these cells, ignoring any cells that are completely blank?

  1. =SUM(A1:A10)/10
  2. =MEDIAN(A1:A10)
  3. =AVERAGE(A1:A10) Correct answer.
  4. =MEAN(A1:A10)

Explanation

The =AVERAGE function in Excel automatically calculates the arithmetic mean of the specified range and ignores cells that contain no data.

Question 7Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

A user writes the spreadsheet formula =IF(C3>=150, "Exceeded", "Under"). If the value in C3 is exactly 150, what output will be displayed?

  1. Under
  2. 150
  3. Error
  4. Exceeded Correct answer.

Explanation

The operator >= checks if C3 is greater than or equal to 150. Since 150 is equal to 150, the condition is TRUE, returning the first output string "Exceeded".

Question 8Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which of the following describes the most useful application of a reverse image search tool for a researcher verifying online sources?

  1. Finding where an image has been published previously and verifying its original context Correct answer.
  2. Extracting the original camera metadata (EXIF) from the image file
  3. Automatically translating text embedded inside the image to another language
  4. Determining the copyright registry owner of the image file

Explanation

Reverse image search scans the web for instances of the image, showing past publication dates and context, which helps detect if an image is recycled or misrepresented.

Question 9Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

What is selection bias in the context of data analysis and statistics?

  1. A system failure that causes incorrect values to be written during database saving
  2. An error introduced when the sample population is not representative of the target population Correct answer.
  3. A formatting error where text values are accidentally interpreted as numbers
  4. A bias caused by using data encryption algorithms that alter numbers

Explanation

Selection bias occurs when the individuals or data points selected for a sample do not accurately reflect the characteristics of the entire population.

Question 10Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which of the following is the most direct consequence of filter bubble effects on internet search engines?

  1. Search engines index web pages much slower due to server bottlenecks
  2. Internet download speeds are capped by internet service providers
  3. Users are exposed primarily to information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs Correct answer.
  4. Malicious sites are automatically removed from search index databases

Explanation

A filter bubble is the intellectual isolation that occurs when personalization algorithms show users content that reinforces their existing views.

Question 11Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In a spreadsheet, you need to reference cell B2 in a formula such that both the row and column references remain fixed when copying the formula to other cells. Which syntax should you use?

  1. B2
  2. B$2
  3. $B2
  4. $B$2 Correct answer.

Explanation

$B$2 is an absolute cell reference, where the dollar signs lock both the column (B) and the row (2) during copy and paste operations.

Question 12Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When checking the reliability of statistical data presented in an online report, what is the best indicator of data quality?

  1. A clear methodology detailing how data was collected, sample size, and margins of error Correct answer.
  2. The visual design and complexity of the interactive charts
  3. The presence of positive comments below the report on the hosting website
  4. The total word count and number of pages in the report

Explanation

A transparent methodology allows researchers to evaluate whether the data was collected scientifically and if the conclusions are statistically sound.

Question 13Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In a spreadsheet database of employees, what is the fastest way to display only the employees who work in the "Finance" department and have a salary greater than 50,000?

  1. Sort the table alphabetically by Department, then manually delete non-matching rows
  2. Apply filters to both the Department and Salary columns with the respective criteria Correct answer.
  3. Use the Find tool to search for "Finance" and copy matching rows one by one
  4. Apply a conditional format to color matching cells and hide other columns manually

Explanation

Applying multiple filter criteria is the standard way to narrow down rows to a specific subset of data matching multiple conditions.

Question 14Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In this exercise, an open dataset’s stated license allows anyone to reuse and redistribute it, with attribution required. Which listed description matches that supplied permission?

  1. Database systems that have no security passwords to allow easy access
  2. Personal data of citizens made public for transparency and accountability
  3. Data that is free to use, reuse, and redistribute by anyone, subject only to attribution Correct answer.
  4. Internal financial records that are leaked without official approval

Explanation

Open data refers to structured, machine-readable data that is made freely available to the public under licenses that permit use and distribution with minimal restrictions.

Question 15Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In a spreadsheet, columns A and B contain a list of customer IDs. You want to extract values from column B where the customer ID matches cell G1. Which formula is most appropriate?

  1. =VLOOKUP(G1, A1:B100, 2, FALSE) Correct answer.
  2. =VLOOKUP(A1:B100, G1, 2, TRUE)
  3. =MATCH(G1, A1:A100, 0)
  4. =LOOKUP(G1, B1:B100)

Explanation

=VLOOKUP(G1, A1:B100, 2, FALSE) searches for G1 in the first column of the range (A) and returns the value in the second column (B) for an exact match (FALSE).

Question 16Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

What is the primary risk of using data from a survey that suffers from voluntary response bias?

  1. The survey will collect too much structured data for normal servers to process
  2. The sample will overrepresent individuals with strong opinions on the topic Correct answer.
  3. Data transmission will be blocked by internet service provider firewalls
  4. The survey responses will be corrupted due to automatic formatting scripts

Explanation

Voluntary response surveys rely on self-selected volunteers. People who choose to respond are more likely to have strong opinions (positive or negative) than the general population.

Question 17Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

You need to evaluate the truthfulness of a highly technical scientific claim on a news site. Which of the following approaches represents the highest standard of verification?

  1. Verifying if the news site has a professional visual layout and secure HTTPS connection
  2. Reading the comment section to see if other readers have confirmed the claim
  3. Locating the peer-reviewed study cited in the claim and checking the journal reputation Correct answer.
  4. Checking if the claim is posted on multiple personal social media blogs

Explanation

Locating and reading the underlying study and its actual methods is stronger than trusting a headline or popularity. Peer review and journal reputation are useful context, not guarantees of truth. Check evidence quality, corrections, limitations, applicability and suitable independent corroboration for consequential claims.

Question 18Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which of the following describes the difference between structured and unstructured data in digital storage?

  1. Structured data is encrypted, while unstructured data is sent in plain text
  2. Structured data is only accessible offline, while unstructured data is stored in the cloud
  3. Structured data is automatically generated by AI, while unstructured data is created by humans
  4. Structured data fits in relational tables (e.g. databases), while unstructured data lacks a pre-defined model (e.g. emails, video) Correct answer.

Explanation

Structured data is highly organized (like SQL tables), while unstructured data comprises text files, media, and other formats that do not follow a rigid table structure.

Question 19Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In an email client, what does a rule or filter allow an administrator or user to do automatically?

  1. Sort incoming messages into specific folders based on keywords or sender Correct answer.
  2. Automatically delete old messages from the hard drive
  3. Encrypt outgoing attachments with strong encryption
  4. Track if the recipient has read the email

Explanation

Rules or filters in email clients automate the sorting, flagging, and management of incoming emails based on criteria like subject, body keywords, or sender.

Question 20Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which of the following is the most secure way to share a sensitive document stored in a cloud environment with a specific colleague?

  1. Generating a public link that anyone with the link can access
  2. Sending an invitation link restricted to the colleague's email address Correct answer.
  3. Copying the document text and sending it via public social media chat
  4. Attaching the document in a plain-text email with no password

Explanation

Among the listed options, restricting the invitation to the intended identity better limits access than a public or broadly editable link. Actual sensitivity, recipient identity, permissions, authentication and organizational policy still matter. No sharing method is universally the most secure in every context, and downloaded copies require separate handling.

Question 21Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

During a video call, what is the best practice to prevent background noise from disrupting other participants?

  1. Using a louder microphone setting
  2. Turning off your web camera
  3. Muting your microphone when you are not speaking Correct answer.
  4. Speaking in a whisper close to the microphone

Explanation

Muting the microphone when not actively speaking is the standard netiquette practice to prevent ambient room noise, typing, or echoes from disrupting the meeting.

Question 22Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When scheduling a meeting across multiple time zones using a digital calendar, what is the most reliable way to ensure all participants join at the correct time?

  1. Manually calculating time differences for each participant
  2. Sending different calendar invites to each participant
  3. Using the local time of the host and letting others guess
  4. Setting the meeting time using the calendar's time zone settings which automatically adjust for each recipient Correct answer.

Explanation

Modern calendar invites (like iCalendar) store times in UTC and automatically convert the time to the recipient's local computer/device time zone.

Question 23Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When collaborating on a shared document in the cloud, what does a 'commenter' permission level allow a user to do?

  1. Directly edit the text and change formatting
  2. Leave notes and suggestions without altering the primary document Correct answer.
  3. Change the sharing permissions and invite new editors
  4. Delete the document permanently from the cloud storage

Explanation

Under the stated commenter role, the recipient can add supported comments or suggestions without directly editing the primary content. Product/version and sharing settings determine the actual rights and visibility. A role label alone should not substitute for checking effective access and the intended document.

Question 24Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Which collaborative tool feature allows multiple authors to review previous iterations of a document and undo unwanted changes?

  1. Autofill
  2. Document formatting template
  3. Version history Correct answer.
  4. Track changes

Explanation

Version history keeps a record of all saved edits over time, allowing users to compare older versions and restore them if necessary.

Question 25Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In digital communication, what is the term 'netiquette' referring to?

  1. The rules of polite and professional behavior in online environments Correct answer.
  2. The technical bandwidth limits of a network connection
  3. The process of organizing files on a local server
  4. The encryption protocols used for web traffic

Explanation

Netiquette is a portmanteau of network and etiquette, representing the social guidelines for professional online interactions.

Question 26Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When sharing a file link from a cloud storage service, what is the primary risk of selecting 'Anyone with the link can edit'?

  1. The file will be deleted automatically after 24 hours
  2. Unauthorized users who obtain the link can modify or delete your file content Correct answer.
  3. The link will only work when accessed from the host computer
  4. The file will be converted into an unreadable format

Explanation

Anyone who accesses a link with edit permissions can modify the content, representing a security hazard if the link is forwarded to unintended parties.

Question 27Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

In a collaborative team workspace, what is the primary benefit of organizing discussions into dedicated 'channels' or 'threads'?

  1. It reduces the internet bandwidth required for the app
  2. It prevents users from sending direct private messages
  3. It keeps conversations focused on specific topics and makes them searchable Correct answer.
  4. It automatically encrypts all messages with zero-knowledge keys

Explanation

Channels and threads organize communication by topic, reducing clutter and allowing team members to find past context easily.

Question 28Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When coordinating a meeting with a large group of external partners, which digital tool feature is most effective to find a common free time slot without multiple back-and-forth emails?

  1. Sending a group chat message asking everyone to reply
  2. Booking multiple meetings and cancelling the ones that fail
  3. Creating a shared text document for people to write dates
  4. Using an online scheduling poll tool (e.g., FindTime, Doodle) where participants select their availability Correct answer.

Explanation

Scheduling polls consolidate availability inputs from multiple external participants, automating the process of finding the optimal time slot.

Question 29Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

What is the main purpose of an email auto-responder (out-of-office message)?

  1. To automatically notify senders of your absence and provide alternative contact info Correct answer.
  2. To delete incoming spam messages while you are away
  3. To keep your mailbox from exceeding storage limits
  4. To forward all incoming emails to your personal account

Explanation

Out-of-office messages manage communication expectations by informing external senders that you are away and who to contact in your absence.

Question 30Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

Under what circumstance should you use instant messaging (chat) instead of email for professional communication?

  1. When sending official project reports that need to be archived
  2. When you need a quick, informal response on a time-sensitive matter Correct answer.
  3. When sending sensitive financial data to external clients
  4. When sending large bulk documents to the entire company

Explanation

Chat platforms are ideal for rapid, transactional communication where immediate feedback is needed, leaving email for structured or formal messages.

Question 31Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When setting up a shared folder in a cloud service for a team project, which permission structure follows the principle of least privilege?

  1. Giving all team members and external partners full edit and deletion rights
  2. Making the folder public so anyone can access it
  3. Giving edit permissions only to team members who need to write files, and viewer permissions to those who only need to read them Correct answer.
  4. Allowing only the manager to access the files, requiring others to request files via email

Explanation

Least privilege mandates giving users only the specific permissions necessary to perform their work tasks, protecting data integrity.

Question 32Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

What is the direct benefit of using co-authoring features in modern cloud document editors?

  1. It prevents files from being downloaded locally
  2. It automatically translates the document into multiple languages
  3. It reduces the file size of the document
  4. It allows multiple users to edit the document simultaneously without creating conflicting copies Correct answer.

Explanation

Co-authoring supports simultaneous work on a shared document and can reduce uncontrolled duplicate copies. Actual online/offline behavior, conflicting edits, supported content and version history still require review. It does not guarantee that no conflict or unwanted revision can ever occur.

Question 33Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When sharing a document via a link from a corporate cloud service, what does setting an 'expiration date' on the link achieve?

  1. The document is deleted from your cloud storage when the date is reached
  2. The sharing link becomes inactive after the date, restricting future access Correct answer.
  3. The document is automatically archived to an offline server
  4. The file format is locked and cannot be edited by anyone

Explanation

A configured expiry can restrict future access through the particular sharing link under actual service behavior. It does not erase already downloaded copies or remove every other permission path. Review recipient identity, effective access, retention agreements and the actual relevant sharing configuration.

Question 34Digital information judgment and accountable collaboration

When setting up a video conference for an official international meeting, how should time zone differences be managed to prevent scheduling errors?

  1. Always schedule the meeting using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and let participants convert it themselves
  2. Send a calendar invite set in the host's time zone, and send a separate email in the guest's time zone
  3. Avoid sending calendar files and instead write the time in the body of a chat message
  4. Send a standard calendar invitation (e.g. iCalendar/.ics) which automatically translates the meeting time to each participant's local system time Correct answer.

Explanation

Sending an standard calendar file guarantees that the recipient's calendar software converts the event time automatically using the host-declared UTC time and their local time zone configuration.

Question 35Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which file extension represents a vector graphic format, which can scale infinitely without losing quality?

  1. SVG Correct answer.
  2. PNG
  3. JPG
  4. GIF

Explanation

SVG describes vector geometry that can be scaled without the resolution loss of a fixed raster image for those vector elements. SVG can also contain raster images and effects, so not every embedded component has that property. Rendering, complexity, accessibility and suitable output dimensions still matter.

Question 36Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which Creative Commons license allows others to distribute, remix, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation?

  1. CC BY-NC
  2. CC BY Correct answer.
  3. CC BY-ND
  4. CC BY-NC-SA

Explanation

The CC BY license (Attribution) is the most permissive Creative Commons license, requiring only credit to the original creator.

Question 37Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which HTML tag is used to create a hyperlink on a web page?

  1. link
  2. href
  3. a Correct answer.
  4. url

Explanation

The HTML <a> (anchor) tag defines a hyperlink, linking one page to another using the 'href' attribute.

Question 38Office integration, presentations and simple databases

In word processing, what is the primary benefit of using pre-defined styles (e.g. Heading 1, Heading 2) instead of manually formatting text with bold or font size adjustments?

  1. It reduces the amount of text in the document
  2. It automatically checks the document for spelling errors
  3. It restricts other users from editing the text
  4. It allows the automatic generation of a table of contents and ensures consistent styling Correct answer.

Explanation

Styles establish a document hierarchy, allowing word processors to build automatic tables of contents and permitting quick global styling changes.

Question 39Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which of the following is a lossless audio file format?

  1. FLAC Correct answer.
  2. MP3
  3. AAC
  4. WMA

Explanation

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio data without discarding any musical information, preserving the original studio quality.

Question 40Office integration, presentations and simple databases

What is the function of a page break in a document editor?

  1. To divide the document into separate files
  2. To force the text that follows to begin on a new page Correct answer.
  3. To automatically insert a blank line between paragraphs
  4. To split a table cell into multiple rows

Explanation

A page break shifts the insertion point immediately to the top of the next page, keeping the layout stable regardless of changes made on previous pages.

Question 41Office integration, presentations and simple databases

When creating digital content, what does the term 'Creative Commons Zero' (CC0) mean?

  1. The work is copyrighted and cannot be used
  2. The work has been registered with a local patent office
  3. The creator has waived all copyright interests, placing the work in the public domain Correct answer.
  4. The work can only be used for non-profit education

Explanation

CC0 is a public-domain dedication with fallback licensing to the extent legally possible. It does not necessarily waive every person’s privacy/publicity/trademark right or guarantee that the person applying it owned all relevant rights. Check actual material and jurisdiction rather than treat the label as universal legal clearance.

Question 42Office integration, presentations and simple databases

What is the main difference between raster and vector images?

  1. Raster images are only for print, while vector images are only for web
  2. Raster images are black and white, while vector images are color
  3. Raster images are stored as mathematical lines, while vector images are grids of pixels
  4. Raster images are made of pixels and can pixelate when scaled, while vector images are based on mathematical formulas and scale cleanly Correct answer.

Explanation

Raster images represent graphics using static pixels (good for photos), while vector images use geometry (good for logos) to render at any scale without blur.

Question 43Office integration, presentations and simple databases

In HTML, which tag is used to display an image on a web page?

  1. img Correct answer.
  2. image
  3. src
  4. pic

Explanation

The <img> tag is the standard HTML tag for embedding an image, requiring the 'src' attribute to define the image source path.

Question 44Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Why is it important to add alternative text (alt text) to images when publishing web content?

  1. It improves the color contrast of the image
  2. It makes the content accessible to visually impaired users who use screen readers Correct answer.
  3. It automatically translates the image text into other languages
  4. It compresses the image file size for faster loading

Explanation

Alt text describes the visual content of images, allowing screen readers to dictate the description to visually impaired users, complying with accessibility standards.

Question 45Office integration, presentations and simple databases

What does a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file do in web design?

  1. It defines the visual design and layout of HTML elements Correct answer.
  2. It manages the database connections of the website
  3. It encrypts the user credentials entered on forms
  4. It tracks visitors using tracking cookies

Explanation

CSS manages the styling, layout, typography, and colors of web elements, separating style from HTML structure.

Question 46Office integration, presentations and simple databases

What does it mean when a document editor is described as WYSIWYG?

  1. The editor is voice-controlled
  2. The screen display shows the document exactly as it will appear when printed or published Correct answer.
  3. The editor only supports plain text without formatting
  4. The document is automatically saved to the cloud every second

Explanation

WYSIWYG means What You See Is What You Get:the editor aims to show a representation close to the intended output. Actual printing or publishing can vary with layout, fonts, device, settings and rendering. Preview and verify the actual output rather than infer exact identity from the acronym.

Question 47Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which of the following describes the purpose of archiving files into a single ZIP file?

  1. To convert text documents into read-only files
  2. To encrypt files so only authorized users can open them
  3. To group multiple files together and reduce their total size for sharing Correct answer.
  4. To run a virus scan on the files

Explanation

ZIP can package multiple files into one archive and apply compression. Actual size reduction depends on content and settings; already compressed files may shrink little or even add overhead. Packaging alone is not encryption or a guarantee of recipient access and integrity.

Question 48Office integration, presentations and simple databases

What does 'DRM' (Digital Rights Management) stand for and do?

  1. Digital Risk Management; it monitors server activity
  2. Database Recovery Model; it prevents database corruption
  3. Document Release Method; it schedules document updates
  4. Digital Rights Management; it controls the use, modification, and distribution of copyrighted content Correct answer.

Explanation

DRM consists of technologies designed to control access to digital works, preventing unauthorized copying, distribution, or modifications.

Question 49Office integration, presentations and simple databases

Which of the following is a key requirement to comply with the 'Attribution' component of a Creative Commons license?

  1. You must credit the original creator, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made Correct answer.
  2. You must pay a royalty fee to the creator for each use
  3. You must not make any modifications to the work
  4. You must only use the work for non-commercial purposes

Explanation

Attribution (BY) requires citing the original creator, linking to the license terms, and disclosing whether modifications were made to the source material.

Question 50Office integration, presentations and simple databases

If you are designing a website that must load quickly on mobile devices, which image optimization technique is most effective?

  1. Using high-resolution uncompressed TIFF files
  2. Compressing images and using modern formats like WebP instead of heavy PNGs Correct answer.
  3. Storing all images on a local database inside the HTML file
  4. Scaling up small images using CSS height and width attributes

Explanation

Appropriate dimensions, measured compression and suitable formats such as WebP can reduce transferred image bytes while meeting quality needs. No format is universally smaller or better for every image and device. Compare actual visual quality, browser support, accessibility and delivery behavior for the intended content.