Basic Computer Knowledge
Basic Computer Knowledge tests hardware, software, operating systems, office applications, internet and cyber safety. Questions are factual and shortcut-based.
Core rules
- Hardware: CPU has ALU, CU and registers; input/output devices; memory. RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile. 1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes.
- Software: system software (OS, utilities) vs application software. Windows, Linux and macOS are operating systems.
- MS Office: Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+X cut, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+S save, Ctrl+P print. In Excel, formulas begin with =; $ fixes a cell reference.
- Internet: an IP address identifies a device; a URL locates a resource; HTTP/HTTPS transfer web pages; HTTPS is encrypted.
- Cyber safety: strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, avoid unknown links, verify the sender.
Worked example
Convert binary 1011 to decimal. Write place values from the right: 1×2^0 = 1, 1×2^1 = 2, 0×2^2 = 0, 1×2^3 = 8. Sum = 1 + 2 + 0 + 8 = 11. Check: binary 1011 has four bits, so its maximum is 15; 11 is plausible.
Traps
Do not say RAM stores data permanently. Do not confuse Ctrl+X (cut) with Ctrl+C (copy). In Excel, relative references change when copied; absolute references do not. A bit is a binary digit; a byte is 8 bits. HTTP is not automatically secure; HTTPS uses TLS. Do not treat an email from address as proof of identity.