🔹 NIPUN INDIA Skill Development and Training Pvt. Ltd. | 🔹 Corporate Identification Number (CIN), Ministry of Corporate Affairs: U85490TS2025PTC194629 | 🔹 Startup India – DPIIT Recognition: DIPP04274 | 🔹 NGO Darpan, NITI Aayog: TS/2025/0538233 | 🔹 NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) Establishment ID: E03253600001 | 🔹 NCS (National Career Service) Registration ID: S20C56-1711396313889 | 🔹 Verify any Nipun India certificate online at nipunindia.com/verify
Nipun India Skill Development And Training Private Limited
Nipun India
Computer & Office Skills

Computer Awareness MCQs for Competitive Exams (With Answers and Explanations)

Original computer awareness practice questions on fundamentals, MS Office, internet, networking and cyber security — each with the answer and a short explanation.

By Nipun India Academic Team Updated 14 min read
Key takeaways
  • Computer awareness sections test basic concepts — hardware, software, MS Office, internet, networking, security and number systems.
  • Read the explanation for every question, including ones you guessed correctly.
  • Revise wrong answers after three days and again after a week; then attempt timed mixed sets.
  • Learn number conversions with place values (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1) instead of memorising answers.
  • Always confirm the syllabus and marking scheme in your exam's official notification.

Computer awareness appears in many Indian recruitment and entrance tests — banking, clerical, state-level and other competitive exams often include a computer section or mix computer questions into general awareness. The questions test basic concepts, not programming. This page has 60 original practice questions across eight topics, each with four options, the correct answer and a one-line explanation so you learn the reason, not just the letter.

These questions were written for practice. They are not taken from any exam paper and do not predict what any particular exam will ask. Always check your target exam's official notification for its actual syllabus and pattern.

How to use this practice set

  1. Attempt a whole topic first. Read each question, choose your answer and note it on paper before clicking "Show answer".
  2. Check and mark. Give yourself 1 mark for each correct answer. Write the question number of every wrong or guessed answer.
  3. Read every explanation — including for questions you got right by guessing.
  4. Revise your wrong list after three days, then again after a week.
  5. Time yourself on the second attempt. Aim for about 30–40 seconds per question, since many exams give limited time per section.
Negative marking

Some exams deduct marks for wrong answers. Read the instructions in your exam's notification. Where there is negative marking, answer only when you can eliminate at least two options with confidence.

Computer fundamentals

Basic terms, history and units of data — the foundation for every other topic.

Q1. Which part of a computer is commonly called its "brain"?

  1. Monitor
  2. Keyboard
  3. Hard disk
  4. CPU
Show answer

Answer: (D) CPU. The CPU executes instructions and controls the other parts of the computer.

Q2. Raw facts become useful after processing. What is processed, meaningful data called?

  1. Input
  2. Code
  3. Information
  4. Signal
Show answer

Answer: (C) Information. Data is raw facts; information is data that has been processed into a meaningful form.

Q3. Which sequence correctly describes how a computer works?

  1. Output → Input → Process
  2. Input → Process → Output
  3. Process → Input → Storage
  4. Storage → Output → Process
Show answer

Answer: (B) Input → Process → Output. A computer accepts input, processes it and produces output (the IPO cycle), storing data where needed.

Q4. Integrated circuits (ICs) were the main technology of which generation of computers?

  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth
Show answer

Answer: (C) Third. First generation used vacuum tubes, second used transistors, third used ICs and fourth used microprocessors.

Q5. What is the smallest unit of data a computer stores?

  1. Bit
  2. Byte
  3. Nibble
  4. Kilobyte
Show answer

Answer: (A) Bit. A bit is a single 0 or 1; a nibble is 4 bits and a byte is 8 bits.

Q6. In the binary convention used in most computer textbooks, 1 kilobyte equals:

  1. 1000 bits
  2. 100 bytes
  3. 1000 bytes
  4. 1024 bytes
Show answer

Answer: (D) 1024 bytes. 1 KB = 210 = 1024 bytes in the binary convention (strictly, the international standard calls 1024 bytes a "kibibyte").

Q7. Who is widely called the "father of the computer" for designing the Analytical Engine?

  1. Alan Turing
  2. John von Neumann
  3. Blaise Pascal
  4. Charles Babbage
Show answer

Answer: (D) Charles Babbage. Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine in the 19th century, a mechanical general-purpose computer.

Hardware

Memory types, input and output devices, ports and internal parts.

Q8. Which type of memory loses its contents when the power is switched off?

  1. ROM
  2. Hard disk
  3. RAM
  4. Pen drive
Show answer

Answer: (C) RAM. RAM is volatile; ROM, hard disks and pen drives keep data without power.

Q9. Among these, which memory is the fastest?

  1. Hard disk
  2. Cache memory
  3. RAM
  4. Pen drive
Show answer

Answer: (B) Cache memory. Cache sits between the CPU and RAM and is faster than RAM, which is far faster than disks and pen drives.

Q10. Which of the following is an output device?

  1. Scanner
  2. Microphone
  3. Plotter
  4. Mouse
Show answer

Answer: (C) Plotter. A plotter draws output such as large drawings on paper; the other three send input to the computer.

Q11. What does SSD stand for?

  1. Solid State Drive
  2. System Storage Device
  3. Serial Storage Disk
  4. Super Speed Disk
Show answer

Answer: (A) Solid State Drive. An SSD stores data on flash memory chips with no moving parts, unlike a hard disk drive.

Q12. Which port commonly carries both digital video and audio to a monitor, TV or projector?

  1. VGA
  2. PS/2
  3. RJ-45
  4. HDMI
Show answer

Answer: (D) HDMI. HDMI carries digital video and audio together; VGA is analog video only, PS/2 is for older keyboards and mice, RJ-45 is for network cables.

Q13. Which unit converts AC mains power into low-voltage DC for a desktop's internal parts?

  1. SMPS
  2. UPS
  3. Modem
  4. Router
Show answer

Answer: (A) SMPS. The SMPS (switched-mode power supply) inside the cabinet supplies DC power; a UPS provides backup power.

Q14. What is the main circuit board that connects the CPU, RAM and other components called?

  1. Motherboard
  2. Daughterboard
  3. Keyboard
  4. Dashboard
Show answer

Answer: (A) Motherboard. The motherboard holds the CPU socket, RAM slots and connectors for all other components.

Q15. OMR, used to check printed answer sheets, stands for:

  1. Online Mark Reader
  2. Optical Memory Reader
  3. Output Memory Register
  4. Optical Mark Recognition
Show answer

Answer: (D) Optical Mark Recognition. Optical Mark Recognition reads filled bubbles or marks on specially printed forms.

Software and operating systems

Operating systems, types of software, translators and everyday Windows concepts.

Q16. Which of the following is NOT an operating system?

  1. Windows
  2. Linux
  3. Android
  4. MS Excel
Show answer

Answer: (D) MS Excel. MS Excel is application software; Windows, Linux and Android are operating systems.

Q17. Which program translates an entire high-level program into machine code before it runs?

  1. Interpreter
  2. Compiler
  3. Assembler
  4. Linker
Show answer

Answer: (B) Compiler. A compiler translates the whole program at once; an interpreter translates and runs it line by line; an assembler translates assembly language.

Q18. Which of these is application software?

  1. Device driver
  2. BIOS
  3. Operating system
  4. Accounting software such as Tally
Show answer

Answer: (D) Accounting software such as Tally. Application software helps users do specific tasks; drivers, BIOS and the OS are system software.

Q19. On Windows, where do files deleted normally from the hard disk go first?

  1. Recycle Bin
  2. Control Panel
  3. Task Manager
  4. Clipboard
Show answer

Answer: (A) Recycle Bin. A normal delete moves files to the Recycle Bin, from where they can be restored; Shift+Delete skips it.

Q20. Which operating system is open source?

  1. Windows 11
  2. macOS
  3. Linux
  4. MS-DOS
Show answer

Answer: (C) Linux. Linux source code is freely available to study, modify and share under open-source licences.

Q21. In Windows, which file extension usually indicates a program that can be run directly?

  1. .exe
  2. .txt
  3. .jpg
  4. .docx
Show answer

Answer: (A) .exe. .exe files are executable programs; never open .exe files received from unknown senders.

Q22. GUI stands for:

  1. General User Interface
  2. Global User Interaction
  3. Graphical Unified Input
  4. Graphical User Interface
Show answer

Answer: (D) Graphical User Interface. A GUI lets users work through windows, icons and menus instead of typed commands.

Q23. What is "booting" a computer?

  1. Installing new software
  2. Starting the computer and loading the operating system
  3. Deleting temporary files
  4. Connecting to the internet
Show answer

Answer: (B) Starting the computer and loading the operating system. Booting is the start-up process; a cold boot starts from power-off, a warm boot is a restart.

MS Office

Word, Excel and PowerPoint basics that also appear in practical tests.

Q24. What is the default file extension of a Word document in Word 2007 and later?

  1. .doc
  2. .docx
  3. .txt
  4. .wps
Show answer

Answer: (B) .docx. Word 2007 onwards saves as .docx by default; .doc was the older format.

Q25. In MS Excel, the intersection of a row and a column is called a:

  1. Cell
  2. Field
  3. Table
  4. Range
Show answer

Answer: (A) Cell. Each cell has an address such as B3 (column B, row 3).

Q26. In Excel, what kind of reference is $B$1 in the formula =A1*$B$1?

  1. Relative
  2. Mixed
  3. Absolute
  4. Circular
Show answer

Answer: (C) Absolute. Dollar signs before both the column letter and row number lock the reference when the formula is copied.

Q27. In MS PowerPoint, pressing F5 does what?

  1. Saves the file
  2. Starts the slide show from the first slide
  3. Inserts a new slide
  4. Opens spell check
Show answer

Answer: (B) Starts the slide show from the first slide. F5 starts from the first slide; Shift+F5 starts from the current slide.

Q28. Which feature in MS Word creates personalised letters for many people using a list of names and addresses?

  1. Track Changes
  2. Macro
  3. Thesaurus
  4. Mail Merge
Show answer

Answer: (D) Mail Merge. Mail Merge combines a main document with a data list such as an Excel sheet.

Q29. In Excel, which column comes immediately after column Z?

  1. ZA
  2. A1
  3. AA
  4. Z1
Show answer

Answer: (C) AA. After Z, columns continue as AA, AB, AC and so on.

Q30. Which Excel function counts cells that meet a single condition?

  1. SUMIF
  2. COUNTA
  3. COUNTIF
  4. VLOOKUP
Show answer

Answer: (C) COUNTIF. COUNTIF counts cells matching a condition; COUNTA counts all non-empty cells; SUMIF adds values that match.

Q31. Which keyboard shortcut undoes the last action in most Office programs?

  1. Ctrl+Y
  2. Ctrl+U
  3. Ctrl+Z
  4. Ctrl+X
Show answer

Answer: (C) Ctrl+Z. Ctrl+Z is Undo; Ctrl+Y is Redo, Ctrl+U underlines and Ctrl+X cuts.

Internet and email

Web, browsers, URLs and email etiquette terms.

Q32. Who invented the World Wide Web?

  1. Bill Gates
  2. Tim Berners-Lee
  3. Vint Cerf
  4. Steve Jobs
Show answer

Answer: (B) Tim Berners-Lee. Tim Berners-Lee proposed the World Wide Web at CERN in 1989.

Q33. What does URL stand for?

  1. Uniform Resource Locator
  2. Universal Routing Link
  3. Unified Resource Line
  4. User Request Locator
Show answer

Answer: (A) Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is the address of a resource on the web, such as https://www.example.com/page.

Q34. When you send an email, recipients in which field are hidden from all other recipients?

  1. To
  2. CC
  3. BCC
  4. Subject
Show answer

Answer: (C) BCC. BCC (blind carbon copy) recipients receive the email but their addresses are not shown to others.

Q35. In "https", what does the "s" indicate?

  1. Secure
  2. Server
  3. Speed
  4. Standard
Show answer

Answer: (A) Secure. HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between your browser and the website.

Q36. Which of the following is a web browser?

  1. Google Chrome
  2. Gmail
  3. Windows
  4. Wikipedia
Show answer

Answer: (A) Google Chrome. Chrome is a browser; Gmail is an email service, Windows an operating system and Wikipedia a website.

Q37. In the email address priya.office@example.com, what is "example.com"?

  1. Username
  2. Server password
  3. Protocol
  4. Domain name
Show answer

Answer: (D) Domain name. The part after @ is the domain name of the email provider or organisation.

Q38. A file sent along with an email message is called a(n):

  1. Signature
  2. Attachment
  3. Draft
  4. Header
Show answer

Answer: (B) Attachment. Attachments can be documents, images or PDFs; check size limits and scan unknown attachments before opening.

Networking

Network types, addressing, devices and topologies.

Q39. A network connecting computers within a single building or campus is called a:

  1. WAN
  2. MAN
  3. LAN
  4. PAN
Show answer

Answer: (C) LAN. A Local Area Network covers a small area such as an office, school or lab.

Q40. How many bits are in an IPv4 address?

  1. 16
  2. 32
  3. 64
  4. 128
Show answer

Answer: (B) 32. IPv4 addresses are 32 bits, written as four numbers such as 192.168.1.10; IPv6 uses 128 bits.

Q41. Which device forwards data between different networks, such as a home network and the internet?

  1. Router
  2. Hub
  3. Repeater
  4. Monitor
Show answer

Answer: (A) Router. A router directs traffic between networks; a hub simply repeats data to all its ports.

Q42. In which network topology are all devices connected to one central switch or hub?

  1. Bus
  2. Ring
  3. Mesh
  4. Star
Show answer

Answer: (D) Star. In a star topology, each device has its own cable to a central device, so one cable fault affects only one computer.

Q43. What is the main job of DNS?

  1. Encrypting emails
  2. Increasing internet speed
  3. Blocking viruses
  4. Translating domain names into IP addresses
Show answer

Answer: (D) Translating domain names into IP addresses. DNS (Domain Name System) works like a phone book, finding the IP address for a name like example.com.

Q44. Which connector is used on a standard Ethernet (LAN) cable?

  1. RJ-11
  2. RJ-45
  3. HDMI
  4. VGA
Show answer

Answer: (B) RJ-45. RJ-45 is used for Ethernet; RJ-11 is the smaller connector used for telephone lines.

Q45. Which IEEE standard family describes Wi-Fi?

  1. 802.3
  2. 802.11
  3. 802.15
  4. 802.1
Show answer

Answer: (B) 802.11. IEEE 802.11 covers wireless LANs (Wi-Fi); 802.3 covers wired Ethernet.

Cyber security

Threats, protection and what to do when fraud happens.

Q46. A fake email or message that pretends to be from a bank to steal your login details is an example of:

  1. Phishing
  2. Spooling
  3. Formatting
  4. Compiling
Show answer

Answer: (A) Phishing. Phishing tricks people into revealing passwords, OTPs or card details through fake messages and websites.

Q47. Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them is called:

  1. Adware
  2. Spyware
  3. Ransomware
  4. Firmware
Show answer

Answer: (C) Ransomware. Ransomware holds data "for ransom"; regular offline backups are the best protection.

Q48. What is the main purpose of a firewall?

  1. Cooling the processor
  2. Monitoring and controlling network traffic based on security rules
  3. Speeding up downloads
  4. Recovering deleted files
Show answer

Answer: (B) Monitoring and controlling network traffic based on security rules. A firewall allows or blocks network connections according to rules, protecting against unauthorised access.

Q49. Which password is the strongest?

  1. password123
  2. Your date of birth
  3. Mumbai@2024
  4. Blue7#river!Lamp9
Show answer

Answer: (D) Blue7#river!Lamp9. Long passwords mixing upper and lower case, numbers and symbols, with no personal details or common patterns, are hardest to guess.

Q50. A program that looks useful but secretly performs harmful actions is called a:

  1. Trojan horse
  2. Worm
  3. Firewall
  4. Cookie
Show answer

Answer: (A) Trojan horse. Like the legend, a Trojan hides harmful code inside something that appears harmless, such as a free game or "crack".

Q51. Two-factor authentication (2FA) means:

  1. Using the same password twice
  2. Changing your password twice a year
  3. Logging in from two devices
  4. Verifying identity with two different types of proof, such as a password and an OTP
Show answer

Answer: (D) Verifying identity with two different types of proof, such as a password and an OTP. 2FA combines something you know (password) with something you have (phone/OTP) or something you are (fingerprint).

Q52. In India, which national helpline number is used to report cyber financial fraud quickly?

  1. 100
  2. 1930
  3. 108
  4. 112
Show answer

Answer: (B) 1930. 1930 is the national cyber crime helpline; complaints can also be filed at cybercrime.gov.in.

Q53. A caller claiming to be from your bank asks for the OTP you just received "to stop your card from being blocked". What should you do?

  1. Share the OTP quickly
  2. Share only half the OTP
  3. Refuse, hang up and call the number printed on your card
  4. Send the OTP by SMS instead
Show answer

Answer: (C) Refuse, hang up and call the number printed on your card. Banks never ask for OTPs, PINs or passwords; sharing an OTP lets fraudsters approve transactions.

Number systems

Conversions between binary, decimal, octal and hexadecimal. Work each one on paper before opening the answer.

Q54. What is the binary equivalent of decimal 10?

  1. 1001
  2. 1010
  3. 1100
  4. 1110
Show answer

Answer: (B) 1010. 10 = 8 + 2, so the bits for 8 and 2 are 1: 1010.

Q55. What is the decimal value of binary 1101?

  1. 11
  2. 12
  3. 13
  4. 14
Show answer

Answer: (C) 13. 1101 = 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13.

Q56. What is the base of the hexadecimal number system?

  1. 2
  2. 8
  3. 10
  4. 16
Show answer

Answer: (D) 16. Hexadecimal uses 16 symbols: 0–9 and A–F.

Q57. Which digits are used in the octal number system?

  1. 0 to 7
  2. 0 to 8
  3. 1 to 8
  4. 0 to 9
Show answer

Answer: (A) 0 to 7. Octal is base 8, so it uses eight digits, 0 to 7.

Q58. What is the decimal value of hexadecimal 1A?

  1. 16
  2. 20
  3. 26
  4. 31
Show answer

Answer: (C) 26. 1A = (1 × 16) + 10 = 26, since A = 10.

Q59. What is the result of adding binary 1111 and 1?

  1. 1110
  2. 10000
  3. 11111
  4. 10001
Show answer

Answer: (B) 10000. 1111 is 15; 15 + 1 = 16, which is 10000 in binary.

Q60. What is decimal 25 in binary?

  1. 11001
  2. 10101
  3. 11010
  4. 10011
Show answer

Answer: (A) 11001. 25 = 16 + 8 + 1, so the bits for 16, 8 and 1 are set: 11001.

Score yourself and plan revision

Score out of 60What it suggestsNext step
50–60Strong basicsPractise timed mixed sets and learn less common terms (for example file extensions, abbreviations)
35–49Good base with gapsFind the topic with the most wrong answers and revise it first
Below 35Concepts need buildingStudy one topic a day from a basic computer textbook, then retake this set after a week

Conversion shortcut for number system questions

Memorise the place values 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. To convert a decimal number to binary, subtract the largest place value that fits and write 1 under it, then continue. Example: 45 = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1, so 45 = 101101. To check, add the place values back. For hexadecimal, remember A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15, and each hex digit equals exactly four binary digits (F = 1111).

Go beyond memorising

Exams test recall; jobs test whether you can use a computer. Spend some preparation time at a keyboard: practise the shortcuts in our keyboard shortcuts list, the formulas in Excel formulas for office jobs, and safe online habits from UPI fraud and cyber safety for students.

Frequently asked questions

Which topics are asked in computer awareness for competitive exams?
Common topics are computer fundamentals and history, hardware and memory, operating systems and software, MS Office, internet and email, networking, cyber security, number systems and abbreviations. Check the official notification of your exam for its exact syllabus.
How should I prepare computer awareness in a short time?
Learn the basic concepts topic by topic, practise MCQs with explanations, keep a list of wrong answers and revise it repeatedly, and memorise common abbreviations and file extensions. Spending some time using a computer helps you remember faster.
Are these questions taken from previous exam papers?
No. All 60 questions on this page were written fresh for practice. They cover concepts that commonly appear in computer awareness sections, but they are not copied from any exam and do not predict any specific paper.
Is 1 KB equal to 1000 bytes or 1024 bytes?
Most computer textbooks and exams use 1 KB = 1024 bytes. The international standard uses kilobyte for 1000 bytes and kibibyte for 1024 bytes. Answer according to the convention your exam follows, which is usually 1024.
Does a computer course help in competitive exams?
A basic computer course helps with the computer awareness section and with typing or skill tests that some recruitments include. It does not replace exam-specific preparation for the other sections.

Official sources & further reading

Government portals change their rules, fees and steps from time to time. Always confirm current details on the official website before you apply.

Nipun India Academic Team writes and reviews Learning Center guides using the same syllabus our training centers teach. First published 11 Oct 2026, last reviewed 11 Oct 2026. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.

Keep learning
Computer & Office Skills Basic Computer Skills Checklist for Students and Job Seekers 9 min read Computer & Office Skills Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting Basics: Fix Common PC Problems 11 min read Careers & Jobs Interview Questions After a Computer Course (With Sample Answers) 11 min read