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THDC JE study materials
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THDC JE: Basic Computer Knowledge and Awareness

THDC JE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Basic Computer Knowledge and Awareness

Basic Computer Knowledge and Awareness checks everyday digital literacy rather than programming. Expect hardware and software basics, memory, operating-system functions, MS Office, internet and networking terms, and cyber-safety.

Core facts

  • Hardware: the CPU is the processing unit; RAM is volatile working memory; ROM is non-volatile; 1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes.
  • Software: system software includes the OS; application software includes Word, Excel and browsers.
  • MS Office: Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+Y redo; in Excel, a formula starts with '=', and $ fixes a cell reference.
  • Internet: an IP address identifies a device; HTTP/HTTPS transfers web pages; a URL is a web address; a browser is client software.
  • Security: phishing tricks users into revealing credentials; a strong password is long and unique; antivirus is not a substitute for updates.

Worked example

Convert the binary number 1101 to decimal. From right to left the place values are 1, 2, 4, 8. So 1×8 + 1×4 + 0×2 + 1×1 = 8 + 4 + 1 = 13. Answer: 13.

Traps

Mixing bits and bytes; calling ROM volatile; treating 1 KB as 1000 bytes in computer-science questions; confusing Ctrl+Z with Ctrl+Y; and choosing HTTPS as a browser when the question asks for software.