IGCSE Computer Science MCQ Revision (Cambridge CIE)

IGCSE Computer Science Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.

  1. What is the largest denary number that can be represented using 8 bits?
    • a) 127
    • b) 255
    • c) 256
    • d) 512
  2. Which of the following is an example of an input device?
    • a) Monitor
    • b) Printer
    • c) Speaker
    • d) Microphone
  3. What does RAM stand for?
    • a) Read Access Memory
    • b) Random Access Mainframe
    • c) Random Access Memory
    • d) Readily Available Memory
  4. Which type of data transmission sends data one bit at a time over a single channel?
    • a) Parallel
    • b) Serial
    • c) Simplex
    • d) Duplex
  5. What is the primary function of an Operating System?
    • a) To run application software only
    • b) To manage hardware and software resources
    • c) To connect to the internet
    • d) To create documents
  6. Which security measure involves scrambling data to make it unreadable without a key?
    • a) Firewall
    • b) Authentication
    • c) Encryption
    • d) Backup
  7. What is a 'field' in a database context?
    • a) A collection of records
    • b) A single piece of data for a specific category
    • c) An entire row of data
    • d) A link between tables
  8. Which logic gate outputs TRUE only if both inputs are TRUE?
    • a) OR
    • b) NOT
    • c) XOR
    • d) AND
  9. Which network topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch?
    • a) Bus
    • b) Ring
    • c) Star
    • d) Mesh
  10. What is the purpose of a URL?
    • a) To identify a specific computer on a network
    • b) To locate a resource on the internet
    • c) To encrypt web traffic
    • d) To store user preferences
  11. Which type of software is designed to perform a specific task for the user (e.g., word processor)?
    • a) System software
    • b) Utility software
    • c) Application software
    • d) Operating system
  12. What does 'secondary storage' refer to?
    • a) RAM
    • b) Cache memory
    • c) Hard Disk Drive
    • d) CPU registers
  13. Which of the following is typically stored in ROM?
    • a) User documents
    • b) The operating system currently in use
    • c) The bootstrap loader
    • d) Web browser history
  14. What is a common method for checking for errors during data transmission?
    • a) Compression
    • b) Parity check
    • c) Encryption
    • d) Defragmentation
  15. Which programming construct allows a section of code to be executed repeatedly?
    • a) Selection
    • b) Sequence
    • c) Iteration
    • d) Declaration
  16. What is the standard character encoding scheme used for representing text in computers?
    • a) JPEG
    • b) MP3
    • c) ASCII
    • d) GIF
  17. A small, malicious program that attaches itself to legitimate programs and spreads to other computers is known as a:
    • a) Worm
    • b) Trojan horse
    • c) Virus
    • d) Spyware
  18. Which component of the CPU carries out arithmetic and logic operations?
    • a) Control Unit (CU)
    • b) Registers
    • c) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
    • d) Cache
  19. What is the term for a unique identifier for a record in a database?
    • a) Foreign key
    • b) Candidate key
    • c) Primary key
    • d) Index key
  20. Which statement about a Local Area Network (LAN) is generally true?
    • a) It covers a large geographical area
    • b) It uses public telecommunication links
    • c) It connects devices within a limited area, like a home or office
    • d) It is always slower than a Wide Area Network (WAN)

Answer Key

  1. b) 255
  2. d) Microphone
  3. c) Random Access Memory
  4. b) Serial
  5. b) To manage hardware and software resources
  6. c) Encryption
  7. b) A single piece of data for a specific category
  8. d) AND
  9. c) Star
  10. b) To locate a resource on the internet
  11. c) Application software
  12. c) Hard Disk Drive
  13. c) The bootstrap loader
  14. b) Parity check
  15. c) Iteration
  16. c) ASCII
  17. c) Virus
  18. c) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  19. c) Primary key
  20. c) It connects devices within a limited area, like a home or office
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