Computer Knowledge and Office Applications
This section tests everyday office computing: hardware and software basics, memory units, operating system functions, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet and email, and basic security awareness.
Fundamentals
- Memory ladder: bit → byte → KB → MB → GB → TB (each step ×1024 for memory).
- Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner; output: monitor, printer, plotter.
- OS functions: file management, process and memory management, device control.
Office applications
- Word: Ctrl+S save, Ctrl+P print, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+F find, F7 spelling and grammar, mail merge for bulk letters.
- Excel: relative reference A1 changes when copied; absolute $A$1 does not. Multiplication before addition; parentheses override. Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT (numbers only), COUNTA (non-empty cells), COUNTIF, VLOOKUP.
- PowerPoint: F5 starts the slideshow from the beginning.
Worked example
With A1 = 10 and B1 = 5, the formula =A1+B12 returns 20, not 30. Reasoning: * has higher precedence than +, so B12 = 10 is computed first, then A1 is added. Writing =(A1+B1)*2 gives 30.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing Cc (visible copy) with Bcc (hidden copy).
- Using COUNT where COUNTA is needed for text entries.
- Forgetting that $ locks a reference before copying a formula.
- Believing the Delete key removes a file - it only clears contents; deletion goes to the Recycle Bin.
- Clicking links in phishing emails that imitate the organisation's domain.