Computer Studies — Basic to PPSC Exam
← Full Study Library | MCQ practice dashboard
Written for PPSC Intelligence Officer (BS-14) beginners. Read these original notes, practise recall, then open the MCQ dashboard for timed questions. Dates and dynamic details should be rechecked before the exam.
1. Computer components
A computer processes data through input, processing, storage and output. Understand the CPU and memory separately from storage. Work through an everyday example: typing in a word processor and saving a file.
Key points
- CPU executes program instructions
- Keyboard is an input device
- Monitor is an output device
- SSD is nonvolatile storage
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about computer components?
CPU executes program instructions
Recall point 2: what did you learn about computer components?
Keyboard is an input device
Recall point 3: what did you learn about computer components?
Monitor is an output device
Recall point 4: what did you learn about computer components?
SSD is nonvolatile storage
2. RAM, ROM and cache
RAM is fast working memory and ordinarily volatile. ROM is nonvolatile storage for firmware. CPU cache helps reduce data access latency; neither ROM nor cache should be described as identical to RAM.
Key points
- RAM is generally volatile
- ROM preserves data without power
- Cache is optimized for rapid access
- Storage capacity is commonly expressed in bytes
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about ram, rom and cache?
RAM is generally volatile
Recall point 2: what did you learn about ram, rom and cache?
ROM preserves data without power
Recall point 3: what did you learn about ram, rom and cache?
Cache is optimized for rapid access
Recall point 4: what did you learn about ram, rom and cache?
Storage capacity is commonly expressed in bytes
3. Storage units and drives
Bits represent binary digits and bytes usually consist of eight bits. Learn KB, MB, GB and TB while noting that decimal and binary prefixes differ (GB versus GiB).
Key points
- 1 byte contains 8 bits
- GB commonly means one billion bytes
- GiB means 2^30 bytes
- HDD generally uses magnetic platters
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about storage units and drives?
1 byte contains 8 bits
Recall point 2: what did you learn about storage units and drives?
GB commonly means one billion bytes
Recall point 3: what did you learn about storage units and drives?
GiB means 2^30 bytes
Recall point 4: what did you learn about storage units and drives?
HDD generally uses magnetic platters
4. Operating systems and files
An operating system handles resources, processes, memory, input/output and file systems. Common tasks include copying folders, renaming files and managing extensions.
Key points
- Windows and Linux are operating systems
- A folder organizes files
- A file extension helps identify format
- Recycle Bin provides a recovery route for certain deletions
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about operating systems and files?
Windows and Linux are operating systems
Recall point 2: what did you learn about operating systems and files?
A folder organizes files
Recall point 3: what did you learn about operating systems and files?
A file extension helps identify format
Recall point 4: what did you learn about operating systems and files?
Recycle Bin provides a recovery route for certain deletions
5. Microsoft Word basics
Word is a word processor. Learn styles, paragraph spacing, headers, footers, page breaks, tables, spell check and printing. Practice opening and formatting an actual document.
Key points
- Ctrl+B toggles bold in common Word configurations
- Ctrl+S saves a document
- Ctrl+P opens printing interface
- Find and Replace edits repeated text
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about microsoft word basics?
Ctrl+B toggles bold in common Word configurations
Recall point 2: what did you learn about microsoft word basics?
Ctrl+S saves a document
Recall point 3: what did you learn about microsoft word basics?
Ctrl+P opens printing interface
Recall point 4: what did you learn about microsoft word basics?
Find and Replace edits repeated text
6. Microsoft Excel basics
Excel stores data in cells defined by rows and columns. Formulas calculate results from cell references. Learn SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX, IF and relative versus absolute references.
Key points
- A1 is a cell address
- Rows are numbered and columns lettered
- SUM adds numbers
- An Excel formula normally starts with =
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about microsoft excel basics?
A1 is a cell address
Recall point 2: what did you learn about microsoft excel basics?
Rows are numbered and columns lettered
Recall point 3: what did you learn about microsoft excel basics?
SUM adds numbers
Recall point 4: what did you learn about microsoft excel basics?
An Excel formula normally starts with =
7. Excel formulas and references
Understand the difference between A1, $A$1, $A1 and A$1. Fill formulas to test how relative and absolute references change. Watch out for divide-by-zero errors.
Key points
- $A$1 is an absolute reference
- AVERAGE computes arithmetic mean
- COUNT counts numeric cells
- IF evaluates a logical test
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about excel formulas and references?
$A$1 is an absolute reference
Recall point 2: what did you learn about excel formulas and references?
AVERAGE computes arithmetic mean
Recall point 3: what did you learn about excel formulas and references?
COUNT counts numeric cells
Recall point 4: what did you learn about excel formulas and references?
IF evaluates a logical test
8. PowerPoint and presentations
PowerPoint organizes content into slides. Learn layouts, themes, transitions and animations. Keep readability and one key idea per slide.
Key points
- Presentation is divided into slides
- Slide Master controls repeated formatting
- Transitions occur between slides
- Animations affect elements within a slide
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about powerpoint and presentations?
Presentation is divided into slides
Recall point 2: what did you learn about powerpoint and presentations?
Slide Master controls repeated formatting
Recall point 3: what did you learn about powerpoint and presentations?
Transitions occur between slides
Recall point 4: what did you learn about powerpoint and presentations?
Animations affect elements within a slide
9. Internet and web
Understand URL, HTTP/HTTPS, browser, search engine, domain and DNS. HTTPS indicates encrypted transport but does not itself prove a site is legitimate.
Key points
- URL identifies a resource location
- DNS resolves domain names
- HTTP is application-layer protocol
- HTTPS uses TLS encryption
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about internet and web?
URL identifies a resource location
Recall point 2: what did you learn about internet and web?
DNS resolves domain names
Recall point 3: what did you learn about internet and web?
HTTP is application-layer protocol
Recall point 4: what did you learn about internet and web?
HTTPS uses TLS encryption
10. Networking fundamentals
IP addresses identify network endpoints; routers forward traffic between networks, while switches connect devices within local networks. Know LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi and common TCP/IP terminology.
Key points
- LAN covers a relatively small area
- WAN connects more widely separated networks
- Router forwards packets between networks
- DNS is not the same as DHCP
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about networking fundamentals?
LAN covers a relatively small area
Recall point 2: what did you learn about networking fundamentals?
WAN connects more widely separated networks
Recall point 3: what did you learn about networking fundamentals?
Router forwards packets between networks
Recall point 4: what did you learn about networking fundamentals?
DNS is not the same as DHCP
11. Cybersecurity and digital safety
Learn phishing, malware, ransomware, firewalls, updates, multi-factor authentication and backups. Apply the principles to everyday online banking and email.
Key points
- Phishing tricks users to disclose data
- Ransomware can encrypt files
- MFA requires multiple authentication factors
- Backups support disaster recovery
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about cybersecurity and digital safety?
Phishing tricks users to disclose data
Recall point 2: what did you learn about cybersecurity and digital safety?
Ransomware can encrypt files
Recall point 3: what did you learn about cybersecurity and digital safety?
MFA requires multiple authentication factors
Recall point 4: what did you learn about cybersecurity and digital safety?
Backups support disaster recovery
12. Databases, email and shortcuts
A database stores organized information; tables have rows and fields. SQL is a standard language for relational databases. Email protocols handle sending and receiving messages.
Key points
- SQL means Structured Query Language
- SMTP is used for sending mail
- IMAP supports server-based email access
- PDF is a portable document format
Active recall
Close the answers and explain these facts without looking at the options. Then practise the matching subject in the MCQ dashboard.
Recall point 1: what did you learn about databases, email and shortcuts?
SQL means Structured Query Language
Recall point 2: what did you learn about databases, email and shortcuts?
SMTP is used for sending mail
Recall point 3: what did you learn about databases, email and shortcuts?
IMAP supports server-based email access
Recall point 4: what did you learn about databases, email and shortcuts?
PDF is a portable document format
Study references
These are recommended sources for checking and extending the notes; they do not certify every individual item above.