IT 101 Assessment Sample Test

Choose the correct answer for each question by clicking on the appropriate letter.


1	A network that connects computers in a limited geographic area, such as a school computer laboratory, is called a __________.
		local area network (LAN)
		limited zone network (LZN)
		wide area network (WAN)
		broad zone network (BZN)


2	Capable of processing more than 64 billion instructions in a single second, __________ are used for applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical calculations.
		notebook computers
		minicomputers
		mainframes
		supercomputers


3	A single point is about __________ of an inch in height.
		1/9
		1/18
		1/36
		1/72


4	Data retrieved from a database can be stipulated by specifying __________, or restrictions that the data must meet.
		guidelines
		criteria
		keywords
		macros


5	__________ is the process of translating an instruction into commands the computer understands.
		Fetching
		Storing
		Decoding
		Executing


6	__________ is an example of volatile memory.
		RAM
		CMOS
		ROM
		all of the above


7	For memory, access times are measured in terms of a nanosecond (ns), which is one __________ of a second.
		billionth
		millionth
		thousandth
		hundredth


8	With a __________ scanner, the item to be scanned is placed on a glass surface under which the scanning mechanism passes.
		flatbed
		sheet-feed
		drum
		bitmap


9	To convert a scanned document into a text file that can be edited, it is necessary to have __________ software that works with the scanner.
		optical character recognition (OCR)
		optical mark recognition (OMR)
		magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR)
		image processing system recognition (IPSR)


10	Gas plasma monitors offer larger screen sizes and __________.
		lower display quality than LCD monitors but are much less expensive
		lower display quality than LCD monitors but are much more expensive
		higher display quality than LCD monitors but are much less expensive
		higher display quality than LCD monitors but are much more expensive


11	An 8-bit video card uses 8 bits to store information about each pixel and thus can display __________ different colors.
		8 + 2 or 10
		8 x 2 or 16
		8^2 (eight to the second power) or 64
		2^8 (two to the eighth power) or 256


12	In a hard disk, the distance between the read/write head and the platter is approximately two __________ of an inch.
		hundredths
		thousandths
		millionths
		billionths


13	Two types of hard disk controllers for personal computers are __________.
		RAID and ESDL
		IDE and SCSI
		HiFD and CD-RW
		CD-R and DVD-ROM


14	A __________ file - often used for scanned photographs, artwork, and other images that require smooth color variations - saves graphical images using compression techniques to reduce file size for faster downloading from the Web.
		Universal Picture Compression Standard (UPCS)
		Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
		Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
		portable network graphics (PNG)


15	A newsgroup __________ reviews the contents of an article and then posts it, if appropriate.
		mailbox
		moderator
		mediator
		webmaster


16	The Internet is used to __________.
		access information, news, research, and educational material
		send or receive messages from other connected users
		meet and converse with people around the world in discussion groups or chat rooms
		all of the above


17	The two types of system software are __________.
		operating systems and utility programs
		operating systems and application programs
		information systems and utility programs
		information systems and application programs


18	Programs run more efficiently under Windows 95 because it __________.
		has an improved graphical user interface
		is written to take advantage of 16-bit processors
		makes working with files and programs easier
		is written to take advantage of 32-bit processors


19	All of the following are advantages of a dial-up line except __________.
		the connection costs no more than making a regular telephone call
		computers at any two locations can establish a connection using modems and the PSTN
		mobile users can connect to the main office so they can read e-mail messages
		the quality of connection can be controlled because the telephone company's switchboard office selects the line


20	A T-carrier line, a type of digital leased line, __________.
		is a set of standards for digital transmission of data over analog telephone lines
		uses broadband to transmit a greater number of bytes on a standard twisted-pair cable
		is any of several types of digital lines that carry multiple signals over a single communications line
		is a service designed to carry voice, data, video, and multimedia at high speeds


21	Although expert systems can help decision-making at any level in an organization, __________ are the primary users, who utilize them to help with job-related decisions.
		executive management
		middle management
		operational management
		nonmanagement employees


22	In System Analysis and Design, the most important aspect of the Preliminary Investigation is to __________.
		define accurately the problem or enhancement
		make a build-or-buy decision
		acquire hardware and software, if necessary
		develop details of the system


23	__________ conversion is used with larger systems that are split into individual sites.
		Parallel
		Pilot
		Phased
		Direct


24	A(n) __________ converts an entire third-generation source program into machine language at one time.
		assembler
		forecaster
		compiler
		interpreter


25	A __________ virus is a virus that hides within or is designed to look like a legitimate program.
		macro
		Trojan horse
		file
		boot sector

Thanks for taking this sample assessment test. If you knew most of the answers and did well here, then you should consider making an appointment with Assessment for taking the true test. Note that there is a small fee to take the test.

If you did well but also did a lot of "guessing" then you should consider buying and studying from the book that the test questions are drawn from. Pick up the Shelly Cashman text "Discovering Computers 2001" published by Course Technologies. Prepare first and then take the assessment.

If this is mostly new stuff for you, then definitely take IT101. This is a wonderful "survey" course that teaches you the "basics" about computers work and how they fit into an "information system.