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COMPRO CBT Exam study materials
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COMPRO CBT Exam practice questions

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Question 1Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which component of the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?

  1. The cache memory, which holds recently used data
  2. The control unit, which decodes instructions
  3. The register file, which stores operands
  4. The ALU Correct answer.

Explanation

The ALU is the part of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations. The control unit directs instruction flow, while registers and cache store data rather than process it.

Question 2Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which type of memory loses its contents when power is removed?

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

Explanation

RAM is volatile memory, so its contents are lost when power is removed. ROM and flash retain data without power, and hard disks store data magnetically.

Question 3Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which device is primarily used to enter text into a computer?

  1. Speaker
  2. Keyboard Correct answer.
  3. Monitor
  4. Printer

Explanation

A keyboard is an input device used to enter text and commands. Monitors, printers, and speakers present output to the user.

Question 4Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What number base does the binary system use?

  1. Base 2 Correct answer.
  2. Base 10
  3. Base 8
  4. Base 16

Explanation

The binary system uses only two digits, 0 and 1, so its base is 2. Base 8 is octal, base 10 is decimal, and base 16 is hexadecimal.

Question 5Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which storage component typically holds the BIOS or UEFI firmware?

  1. A RAM module installed in a memory slot
  2. A hard disk drive connected by SATA
  3. A flash chip Correct answer.
  4. The CPU's internal cache memory

Explanation

BIOS or UEFI firmware is stored in a nonvolatile flash memory chip on the motherboard. RAM and CPU cache are volatile, and a hard disk holds the operating system and files rather than firmware.

Question 6Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which of these is an output device?

  1. Mouse
  2. Microphone
  3. Scanner
  4. Monitor Correct answer.

Explanation

A monitor displays visual output from the computer. Scanners and microphones are input devices, and a mouse is a pointing input device.

Question 7Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the primary purpose of a USB port on a computer?

  1. Store the operating system permanently
  2. Connect peripherals Correct answer.
  3. Connect the computer directly to a wall outlet
  4. Supply electrical power to the motherboard

Explanation

USB ports connect external peripherals such as keyboards, drives, and printers. Power to the motherboard comes from the PSU, the OS is stored on a drive, and wall power connects through the PSU cable.

Question 8Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the main function of a motherboard?

  1. Convert AC power to DC power
  2. Store files permanently
  3. Link components together Correct answer.
  4. Display graphical output

Explanation

The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects the CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals so they can communicate. The PSU converts power, drives store files, and the GPU or display adapter produces graphical output.

Question 9Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the main benefit of cache memory in a CPU?

  1. It provides permanent storage for files.
  2. It increases the physical size of the motherboard.
  3. It speeds up data access for the CPU. Correct answer.
  4. It converts digital signals to analog signals.

Explanation

Cache memory is small and fast, so it reduces the average time the CPU waits for data from slower main memory. It is not permanent storage, does not change motherboard size, and does not convert signals.

Question 10Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which statement best distinguishes an SSD from an HDD?

  1. An SSD uses spinning platters, while an HDD uses flash memory.
  2. An SSD is always slower than an HDD.
  3. An SSD has no moving parts, while an HDD uses rotating disks. Correct answer.
  4. An SSD is only used for backup, while an HDD is used for the operating system.

Explanation

An SSD uses flash memory and has no moving parts, while an HDD uses rotating magnetic platters and read/write heads. SSDs are generally faster, and both can hold an operating system or backups.

Question 11Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

A PCIe slot on a motherboard is primarily used to:

  1. Provide wireless network access without an adapter
  2. Store the BIOS firmware
  3. Connect a monitor directly to the power supply
  4. Install expansion cards such as a graphics card Correct answer.

Explanation

PCIe slots accept expansion cards such as graphics cards, network cards, and sound cards. They do not connect monitors to the PSU, store BIOS, or provide wireless access without an adapter.

Question 12Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What does the wattage rating on a power supply unit indicate?

  1. The maximum power it can deliver Correct answer.
  2. The speed at which it reads hard drives
  3. The number of USB ports it supports
  4. The amount of data it can store

Explanation

The wattage rating shows the maximum power the PSU can supply to the system's components. It does not describe USB port count, drive read speed, or storage capacity.

Question 13Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the purpose of virtual memory?

  1. To store the BIOS configuration
  2. To increase the clock speed of the CPU
  3. To permanently replace RAM with hard disk storage
  4. To use disk space as extra memory Correct answer.

Explanation

Virtual memory uses part of the disk as an extension of RAM when physical memory is full. It does not permanently replace RAM, increase clock speed, or store BIOS settings.

Question 14Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which file system is commonly used by modern Windows operating systems?

  1. NTFS Correct answer.
  2. ext4
  3. HFS+
  4. FAT16

Explanation

NTFS is the standard file system for modern Windows installations, supporting large files and permissions. HFS+ is used by macOS, ext4 by Linux, and FAT16 is an older file system with size limits.

Question 15Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What does POST stand for in computer startup?

  1. Primary Output System Transfer
  2. Programmed Operating System Task
  3. Peripheral Operating System Test
  4. Power-On Self-Test Correct answer.

Explanation

POST stands for Power-On Self-Test, a diagnostic routine the firmware runs at startup to check hardware. The other expansions are invented and do not describe the startup test.

Question 16Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which bus carries data between the CPU and memory or I/O devices?

  1. Data bus Correct answer.
  2. Control bus
  3. Address bus
  4. Power bus

Explanation

The data bus carries the actual data between the CPU, memory, and I/O devices. The address bus carries location information, the control bus carries control signals, and there is no standard power bus in this context.

Question 17Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

CPU clock speed is typically measured in:

  1. Gigabytes (GB)
  2. Watts (W)
  3. Megapixels (MP)
  4. Gigahertz (GHz) Correct answer.

Explanation

CPU clock speed is measured in gigahertz, where one GHz equals one billion cycles per second. Gigabytes measure storage, megapixels measure camera resolution, and watts measure power.

Question 18Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the purpose of applying thermal paste between a CPU and its heat sink?

  1. To improve heat transfer by filling gaps Correct answer.
  2. To conduct electricity between components
  3. To increase the CPU's clock speed automatically
  4. To glue the CPU permanently to the motherboard

Explanation

Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU and heat sink, improving heat conduction. It is not an adhesive, does not conduct electricity, and does not change clock speed.

Question 19Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the function of a network interface card (NIC)?

  1. To store the operating system
  2. To connect a computer to a network Correct answer.
  3. To convert alternating current to direct current
  4. To render 3D graphics

Explanation

A network interface card provides the hardware connection that lets a computer communicate on a network. It does not convert AC to DC, store the OS, or render graphics.

Question 20Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Screen resolution refers to:

  1. The physical size of the monitor in inches
  2. The pixel dimensions of the display Correct answer.
  3. The brightness of the display in nits
  4. The refresh rate of the monitor in hertz

Explanation

Resolution is the number of pixels displayed horizontally and vertically, such as 1920 by 1080. Physical size is measured in inches, refresh rate in hertz, and brightness in nits.

Question 21Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is firmware?

  1. A type of hardware that cannot be updated
  2. Software stored on a device to control it Correct answer.
  3. A protocol for transferring files over the internet
  4. A temporary file created by the operating system

Explanation

Firmware is software embedded in a hardware device to control its basic operations, such as BIOS or a printer's control program. It is not hardware itself, a temporary OS file, or a file-transfer protocol.

Question 22Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

What is the key difference between a cold boot and a warm boot?

  1. A cold boot only works on laptops, while a warm boot only works on desktops
  2. A cold boot is always faster than a warm boot
  3. A warm boot erases all stored data, while a cold boot does not
  4. A cold boot starts from off; a warm boot restarts while powered Correct answer.

Explanation

A cold boot starts the computer from a powered-off state, while a warm boot restarts it without fully removing power. Speed varies, a warm boot does not erase all data, and both can work on desktops and laptops.

Question 23Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

How does a backup differ from an archive?

  1. A backup is for recovery; an archive is for long-term retention Correct answer.
  2. A backup deletes the original data, while an archive preserves it
  3. A backup is always stored offline, while an archive is always online
  4. An archive is a temporary copy, while a backup is permanent

Explanation

A backup is a copy kept so data can be restored after loss, while an archive holds data for long-term retention that is no longer actively used. Backups and archives can be online or offline, and neither necessarily deletes the original.

Question 24Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which feature distinguishes UEFI from legacy BIOS?

  1. UEFI does not perform a power-on self-test
  2. UEFI is stored in RAM and is lost when power is removed
  3. UEFI supports larger disks and a graphical interface Correct answer.
  4. UEFI can only boot from floppy disks

Explanation

UEFI supports larger disks with GPT partitioning and typically provides a graphical setup interface. It still performs hardware initialization and POST, does not rely on floppy disks, and is stored in nonvolatile flash memory.

Question 25Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

During troubleshooting, a computer emits a series of beeps and fails to display anything. What is the most likely meaning of the beeps?

  1. POST detected a hardware error Correct answer.
  2. The keyboard is disconnected
  3. The printer is out of paper
  4. The operating system has finished loading

Explanation

A pattern of beeps with no display usually means the POST detected a hardware fault before video output was available. The OS has not loaded, printer status is unrelated, and a disconnected keyboard may cause a specific message but not typically a no-display beep sequence.

Question 26Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which part of a CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?

  1. The level 1 cache
  2. The instruction register
  3. The control unit
  4. The ALU Correct answer.

Explanation

The ALU is the execution unit that performs integer arithmetic and Boolean logic operations. The control unit directs the sequence of operations, while registers and cache hold data and instructions rather than calculate with them.

Question 27Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

Which statement best describes the contents of RAM while a computer is running?

  1. They are kept permanently unless the user deletes them.
  2. They are stored on the hard drive until requested by the CPU.
  3. They are kept only while the computer has power. Correct answer.
  4. They are written to the CMOS chip during each boot.

Explanation

RAM is volatile memory, so its contents are lost when power is removed. It holds the working set of programs and data that the CPU is actively using. Permanent storage and firmware belong to drives and ROM or flash chips, not ordinary RAM.

Question 28Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

A small office wants to keep working if one of two identical hard drives fails. Which configuration provides this protection?

  1. RAID 1, which mirrors data on both drives Correct answer.
  2. A single large partition spanning both drives
  3. RAID 0, which stripes data across both drives
  4. Regular disk defragmentation of both drives

Explanation

RAID 1 mirrors identical data onto two drives, so the system can continue operating if either drive fails. RAID 0 stripes data for performance but provides no redundancy, and defragmentation or spanning does not create a fault-tolerant copy.

Question 29Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

An M.2 slot wired for NVMe is available on a motherboard. What advantage does an NVMe SSD in that slot have over a SATA SSD?

  1. It uses magnetic platters instead of flash memory.
  2. It connects through a USB controller.
  3. It stores data without electrical power.
  4. It transfers data over PCIe lanes at higher speed. Correct answer.

Explanation

NVMe is designed to use PCI Express lanes, giving an SSD much higher bandwidth and command throughput than the SATA interface. SATA remains adequate for many drives but is a slower interface. The other options describe unrelated storage properties.

Question 30Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Concepts

A motherboard has four memory slots and supports dual-channel operation. Two matched 8 GB modules are installed in the correct paired slots. What is the main advantage over installing one 16 GB module?

  1. Data can move over two memory channels at once. Correct answer.
  2. The CPU no longer needs cache memory.
  3. Virtual memory is no longer required.
  4. The system can use twice as much total memory.

Explanation

Dual-channel operation lets the memory controller use two independent channels in parallel, increasing peak memory bandwidth. The total capacity in both cases is 16 GB, and cache and virtual memory requirements are unaffected by the channel configuration.

Question 31Operating Systems and File Management

Which statement best describes the primary role of an operating system?

  1. Laying out text and graphics on printed pages
  2. Managing hardware and serving application requests Correct answer.
  3. Converting high-level source code into machine instructions
  4. Replicating user documents to a remote backup server

Explanation

The operating system is the layer between application software and the physical hardware. It allocates processor time, memory, storage and devices, and exposes services such as file access and process management to programs. Translation of source code and page layout are jobs of application software.

Question 32Operating Systems and File Management

What is the main purpose of a file name extension such as .docx or .jpg?

  1. It records when the file was last modified
  2. It stores the file's size in bytes for the file manager
  3. It identifies the user account that created the file
  4. It signals the file type to the operating system Correct answer.

Explanation

The extension is the part of the name after the final dot and conventionally encodes the file's format. The operating system and file manager use it to choose a default application and an icon. Timestamps, size and owner are stored as metadata separate from the name.

Question 33Operating Systems and File Management

Which of these is a characteristic of a command-line interface rather than a graphical user interface?

  1. Menus present available actions as lists of items
  2. Users type text instructions to perform operations Correct answer.
  3. Users select items by clicking icons with a mouse
  4. Windows can be resized and arranged on screen

Explanation

A command-line interface takes typed commands and text parameters as its input instead of pointer gestures. Graphical interfaces rely on pointing devices, windows, icons and menus. Either style of interface can drive the same underlying operating system functions.

Question 34Operating Systems and File Management

What does a folder (directory) do in a file system?

  1. It limits the total size of the files it contains
  2. It assigns a unique extension to each stored file
  3. It groups related files and tracks their locations Correct answer.
  4. It encrypts every file stored inside it automatically

Explanation

A directory is a container that maps names to the files and subdirectories it holds, creating the hierarchy of the file system. It does not itself encrypt contents or impose a size cap on them. Extensions belong to individual file names rather than to the folder.

Question 35Operating Systems and File Management

A user opens report.docx, edits it, and then uses Save As with the name report_final.docx. What is the result?

  1. A new file is created and the original file is unchanged Correct answer.
  2. Both names point to the same file, so edits apply to both
  3. The edits are discarded because the original remains open
  4. The original file is renamed and overwritten with the new content

Explanation

Save As writes the current document to a new path and name, leaving the previously saved copy as it was. Plain Save would overwrite the existing file instead. After the operation the application normally continues editing the newly created file.

Question 36Operating Systems and File Management

Which statement about RAM is accurate?

  1. It is volatile and loses data when power is cut Correct answer.
  2. It holds files permanently until the user deletes them
  3. It stores the firmware that starts the computer
  4. Its contents survive when the computer is switched off

Explanation

RAM is volatile memory that holds running programs and their working data only while power is supplied. Persistence is provided by storage devices such as solid-state drives and hard disks. Firmware that starts the machine lives in non-volatile ROM or flash memory instead.

Question 37Operating Systems and File Management

What happens when a file is moved to the Recycle Bin (Trash) on most desktop systems?

  1. The file is set aside and can usually be restored Correct answer.
  2. The file is copied to a network server for safekeeping
  3. The file is compressed to save disk space
  4. The file is removed from disk immediately and permanently

Explanation

The Recycle Bin is a holding area: the file is moved into it and hidden from its original location, and it can normally be restored to that location. The space is only reclaimed when the bin is emptied. Permanent deletion happens at that point, not at the moment of the initial drag.

Question 38Operating Systems and File Management

On a system that uses / as its path separator, which of these is an absolute path?

  1. ../../backup/archive.zip
  2. documents/work/draft.txt
  3. photos/2024/summer.jpg
  4. /var/log Correct answer.

Explanation

An absolute path begins at the root of the hierarchy, which is written as a leading slash, so it identifies the same location no matter what the current directory is. Paths that start with a plain name or with .. are relative and are resolved against the current working directory.

Question 39Operating Systems and File Management

A file on disk is marked read-only. Which action can a user still perform on it?

  1. Open it and view its contents Correct answer.
  2. Append new text to the end of it
  3. Change its contents and save over it
  4. Rename it within the same folder

Explanation

The read-only attribute prevents modification of the file's data but does not prevent reading, so the file can still be opened and viewed. Appending or overwriting requires write access. Renaming or deleting normally requires write permission on the containing directory and is usually restricted as well.

Question 40Operating Systems and File Management

How does a single-CPU computer appear to run several programs at the same time?

  1. It waits for each program to finish before starting the next one
  2. It installs each program on a separate physical disk drive
  3. It switches rapidly among processes, giving each a short turn Correct answer.
  4. It executes several instructions in one clock cycle at all times

Explanation

The scheduler interrupts the running process, saves its state, and restores the saved state of another process so it can run for a time slice. Because these context switches occur many times per second, the programs appear to run concurrently even though only one executes at any instant.

Question 41Operating Systems and File Management

A user compresses a folder of photographs and every image still looks identical to the original after decompression. Which technique was used?

  1. Encryption that scrambles the file contents
  2. Disk defragmentation that reorders data blocks
  3. Lossy compression, which discards some detail
  4. Lossless compression, preserving all data Correct answer.

Explanation

Lossless compression encodes data so that decompression restores an exact, bit-for-bit copy, which is why the images appear identical. Lossy methods achieve smaller files by discarding detail that may not be noticed. Encryption and defragmentation do not shrink the stored data in this way.

Question 42Operating Systems and File Management

What is the main purpose of virtual memory?

  1. To increase the speed of the CPU's arithmetic operations
  2. To extend usable memory beyond physical RAM Correct answer.
  3. To cache web pages for faster browsing later on
  4. To encrypt data before it is written to the hard disk

Explanation

Virtual memory lets the system move less-used pages out to disk and map an address space larger than the installed RAM. Programs therefore do not have to fit entirely in physical memory. It does not accelerate arithmetic and it is not an encryption or caching mechanism.

Question 43Operating Systems and File Management

In a file search box, the pattern *.txt matches which set of files?

  1. Only files stored in the root directory
  2. All files whose names begin with .txt
  3. All files whose names end in .txt Correct answer.
  4. Only the file named exactly star.txt

Explanation

The asterisk stands for any sequence of characters, so *.txt matches every name that ends with that extension, whatever its prefix. The pattern does not match files whose names merely begin with .txt, because the wildcard sits before the extension rather than after it.

Question 44Operating Systems and File Management

Why can heavy fragmentation slow down reading a file from a hard disk?

  1. A file's blocks are scattered, so the drive head seeks more Correct answer.
  2. Files become encrypted and must be decrypted before each read
  3. The disk loses track of which files belong in which folders
  4. Each file grows larger, leaving less space for new data

Explanation

Fragmentation splits one file into extents stored far apart on the platters. Reading the file then requires additional head movement and rotational delay, which lowers throughput. The file's size and the directory information remain unchanged, so the slowdown is purely mechanical.

Question 45Operating Systems and File Management

What distinguishes a backup from an archive?

  1. Backups aid recovery; archives keep data long term Correct answer.
  2. An archive is a compressed copy of the most recent files
  3. An archive is deleted automatically after a fixed period
  4. A backup is always stored on the same disk as the original

Explanation

A backup exists so that current data can be restored after loss or corruption, and it is usually rotated or replaced over time. An archive preserves selected records for long-term retention and sits outside the normal backup cycle. Media placement and compression do not define either concept.

Question 46Operating Systems and File Management

A file exists in a folder but does not appear in an ordinary directory listing. Which attribute explains this?

  1. The compressed attribute
  2. The archive attribute
  3. The read-only attribute
  4. The hidden attribute Correct answer.

Explanation

The hidden attribute tells the file manager to omit the entry from normal listings, although the file still exists and appears when hidden items are shown. Read-only controls modification, archive marks files changed since the last backup, and compression affects how data is stored on disk.

Question 47Operating Systems and File Management

What is the function of a device driver?

  1. It converts documents into the format used by a printer
  2. It manages user accounts and login passwords
  3. It lets the OS control one type of hardware device Correct answer.
  4. It schedules which application runs next on the CPU

Explanation

A device driver translates generic operating system requests into the specific command sequences a particular device model understands. It is matched to the hardware and loaded by the kernel. Rendering a document for printing is done by the application, and choosing the next process is the scheduler's job.

Question 48Operating Systems and File Management

A folder holds four files of sizes 2 MB, 500 KB, 1.5 MB and 900 KB. The folder is sorted by size from smallest to largest. Which file is listed first?

  1. The 500 KB file Correct answer.
  2. The 2 MB file
  3. The 1.5 MB file
  4. The 900 KB file

Explanation

Ascending order by size places the smallest value at the top of the list. Converting to a common unit, 500 KB is below 900 KB, which is below roughly 1.5 MB, which is below 2 MB. The 500 KB file is therefore the first entry.

Question 49Operating Systems and File Management

A user drags a file from one folder to another folder on the same drive. What happens by default?

  1. The file is duplicated and the original stays in place
  2. A shortcut to the file is created in the target folder
  3. The file is deleted after a copy is placed in the Recycle Bin
  4. The file is moved and removed from the source folder Correct answer.

Explanation

Within a single volume, drag-and-drop is treated as a move: only the directory entry is relocated while the data blocks stay where they are. Dragging between different volumes normally copies the file instead. Creating a shortcut requires an explicit command or a modifier key held during the drag.

Question 50Operating Systems and File Management

A workstation shows constant disk activity, low CPU utilization, and slower response each time another program is opened. Which condition fits best?

  1. Fragmentation of the disk
  2. Deadlock among processes
  3. Starvation of a low-priority process
  4. Thrashing caused by too little RAM Correct answer.

Explanation

When the combined working sets exceed physical memory, the system spends most of its time paging rather than executing, and adding more processes pushes CPU utilization even lower. Fragmentation increases access time but does not produce this runaway paging pattern. Deadlock stops the involved processes instead of generating continuous disk traffic.