15:140 Pretest

NIACC IT Program
Pretest / Post test

Pre / Post Test for Introduction to Computers and Information Systems. Fill in all blanks and select an answer for each question. You must complete the entire test in in one sitting, allow yourself about one hour.

First name
Last name
E-mail
Phone number

Enter the name of the NIACC staff member that requested you to take this exam. (counselor/instructor)

Staff's First name
Staff's Last name

Self evaluation - You are to rank youself as to the degree of ability you have in each area below. Use the following scale:

none (very little to no experience)
some (have worked with this but on a limited basis)
good ( feel comfortable, have used a fair amount)
very good (worked with this a lot)
expert (an expert at this area, know more than the average user)

A. Using a mouse:	none some good very good expert
B. Word processing:	none some good very good expert
C. Spreadsheet:	none some good very good expert
D. Database:	none some good very good expert
E. E-mail:	none some good very good expert
F. Internet:	none some good very good expert
G. Files/folders:	none some good very good expert

Select the best answer:
1. A computer system does nothing until directed to do so by

a. a person.
b. a flowchart.
c. a programming language.
d. none of the above.

2. The computer is capable of performing what two types of processing operations?

a. mathematical and addition
b. comparing and logic
c. computation (arithmetic) and logic
d. computation and interpreting

3. When you write a program, you are

a. creating a problem.
b. complicating the problem.
c. solving a problem.
d. part of the problem.

4. Software can be subdivided into two main categories which are

a. user friendly and programmable
b. operating system and applications
c. Word processing and spreadsheets
d. hardware and software

5. The bottom line in development of a program is

a. that is runs without any syntax errors.
b. that the documentation is clear.
c. that the results produce the correct answer.
d. none of the above.

6. Which of the following network topologies permits the connection of terminals, peripheral devices, and microcomputers along a central cable?

a. ring
b. star
c. autolink
d. bus

7. Before a source program can be executed, it must be

a. compiled or interpeted into an object program.
b. modified to eliminate ambiguity.
c. translated to a higher level language.
d. cross-referenced to an object program.

8. DOS users organize their files into a hierarchy of

a. directories and sub directories.
b. extensions and specifications.
c. wild card references.
d. batch files.

9. A byte is:

a. the combination of usually 8 bits that commonly represent a character.
b. the smallest piece of data in a computer.
c. one word or number.
d. the amount of data a computer can process at one time.

10. The fundamental sections of a processor are

a. the control unit and the accumulator.
b. the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit.
c. the accumulator and secondary storage.
d. the control unit, the accumulator, and secondary storage.

11. Which of the following is an operating system that can be used on microcomputers?

a. MS DOS
b. Macintosh DOS
c. UNIX
d. Linux
e. all of the above

12. An end point in a computer network is a

a. star.
b. VAN.
c. node.
d. block.

13. The rules for transmission in data communications is termed

a. contention
b. syntax
c. protocol
d. cellular processing

14. In an effort to meet the productivity challenge, managers are looking primarily to which corporate resource?

a. information
b. ergonomically designed office furniture
c. consultants
d. federal assistance programs

15. MIS stands for

a. Master Identification Sequence.
b. Management Information System.
c. Master of Information Studies.
d. Management Interface Structure.

16. The device that permits electrical digital signals to be transmitted over regular telephone lines is a

a. multiplexer.
b. modem.
c. cluster controller.
d. front-end processor.

17. The two most common types of image processing equipment are

a. keyboards and facsimile.
b. telephones and copy machines.
c. facsimile and image scanners.
d. facsimile and voice message switchers.

18. In electronic funds transfer and Debit Card use,

a. the money is sent via an image processing machine from one account to another.
b. the amount owed a company or individual is transferred electronically from one account to another.
c. check printing is the central activity.
d. the net pay of employees is calculated as part of the process.

19. The capabilities of an information system include

a. input/output.
b. processing.
c. storage.
d. all of the above.

20. Which media below gives the best security, largest quantity, and fastest transmission.

a. satellite microwave
b. twisted wire pairs
c. fiber optics
d. coaxial cable
e. ground microwave

21. Which of the following output situations is the best candidate for computerization?

a. Large amounts of information.
b. Currentness of information is important.
c. The quality and clarity is important.
d. None of the above.
e. All of the above.

22. Data Communications and networks are

a. becoming less important in today's business world.
b. only being done within business (intracompany).
c. is mainly used for TV and government uses.
d. becoming a vital part of business and everyday life.
e. both a & b

23. The general categories of information system costs are:

a. equipment, employees, and environmental factors.
b. purchase, implementation, and maintenance costs.
c. input, processing, and output expenditures.
d. hardware & maintenance, software & maintenance, people, and operating expenses.

24. A quick way to develop a MIS is by developing a ____________ and build on it.

a. prototype
b. multiplexer
c. ATM
d. a four step approach

25. When dealing with information systems and data in databases, the most important issue is:

a. that data can be retrieved quickly.
b. that the data is filtered up to the higher levels of management.
c. that data integrity is upheld.
d. that hardware and training cost are held down.
e. that the reports always look good.

26. The computer-related issue of greatest concern to the general public is

a. computer crime and privacy of personal information.
b. cashless society
c. electronic funds transfer.
d. computer legislation.

27. The rapid advances in computer technology in our society is causing

a. a lowering in expectations for the premise of automation.
b. imagination and creativity to take a back seat to technical skill development.
c. diminish use of EFT.
d. greater emphasis on updating skills and expertise, retraining in the work place.

28. Computers

a. are bringing about change.
b. provide both challenge and opportunity.
c. are altering the basic constructs of society.
d. all of the above.

29. Data management encompasses all of the following except

a. data storage.
b. data retrieval.
c. data paging.
d. data manipulation and updating.

30. The translation of the program logic into a particular programming language is called:

a. coding.
b. conversion.
c. debugging.
d. execution.

31. The purpose of program testing is best defined as steps taken to:

a. eliminate all logic errors.
b. optimize the program's component parts.
c. find most syntax errors.
d. ensure that the program correctly meets the specifications.

32. The variable PAY contains the value of 30. What will happen when the following statement is executed?
IF PAY > 20 THEN
BONUS = PAY * .5
ELSE
BONUS = 0
ENDIF

a. BONUS will be 30
b. BONUS will be 20
c. BONUS will be 15
d. BONUS will be 0
e. none of the above

Questions #35-39, Select the best type of application to do the task
33. Store a list of all your customers for a business.

a. Word processing
b. Database
c. E-Mail
d. Electronic spreadsheet
e. Graphs from a spreadsheet

34. Send a memo to a business partner.

a. Word processing
b. Database
c. E-Mail
d. Electronic spreadsheet
e. Graphs from a spreadsheet

35. Create a newsletter for your business.

a. Word processing
b. Database
c. E-Mail
d. Electronic spreadsheet
e. Graphs from a spreadsheet

36. Create a budget and adjust the figures to better prepare for the next year.

a. Word processing
b. Database
c. E-Mail
d. Electronic spreadsheet
e. Graphs from a spreadsheet

37. To show your partners, at a glance, how sales have changed over the last year

a. Word processing
b. Database
c. E-Mail
d. Electronic spreadsheet
e. Graphs from a spreadsheet

38. The rate of technological growth in the computer field has

a. had little influence on our lives.
b. affected only our business applications.
c. affected both our private and professional lives.
d. come slowly.

39. The term "user"

a. is applied to any person who uses the computer or an information system.
b. is a computer professional.
c. is anyone in a management position.
d. none of the above.

40. An information services department (as well as an entire computer system) is comprised of

a. hardware.
b. software.
c. people who run computers and develop software.
d. all of the above.

41. All hardware and software, including micro productivity software, are under the control of

a. the screen processor.
b. the data base manager.
c. the disk drive software.
d. the operating system.

42. Instant recall of an unlimited amount of data and information is possible because of which computer capability?

a. cost
b. accuracy.
c. reliability.
d. memory capacity & speed.

43. Database software allows you to

a. create a data base.
b. maintain a data base.
c. extract information from a data base.
d. all of the above.

44. Micros that give users the flexibility to configure the system with a variety of peripheral devices have

a. a closed architecture.
b. multi-user capabilities.
c. an open architecture.
d. embedded coprocessors.

45. Concerning the computer architecture, all micro components are linked via a common

a. disk drive.
b. operating system.
c. electrical bus.
d. "personality."

46. For peripheral devices, what provides a direct link with the microcomputer's common electrical bus?

a. inlets
b. ports
c. bays
d. slots
e. both b and d

47. A graph that graphically depicts data as a percentage of the whole is

a. a pie graph.
b. a line graph.
c. a stacked bar graph.
d. a clustered bar graph.

48. Default means

a. changing text alignment
b. formatting text with the Left alignment
c. using no attributes on the text
d. the option that is used when no option is specified

49. Predefined operations offered by electronic spreadsheets are called

a. functions.
b. criteria.
c. absolute cell addresses.
d. relative cell addresses.

50. When one turns on the computer (boot the system), the first thing loaded into memory is the

a. the menu program
b. your application software
c. the operating system
d. your data files

51. EBCDIC and ASCII are:

a. commonly used microprocessors.
b. computer coding schemes for data.
c. the Eight Bit and Asynchronous methods of data transmission.
d. ways of measuring speed and computing power of computers.

52. Bit is short for

a. basic instructional technique.
b. bytes in time.
c. binary digit.
d. binary iteration.

53. The numbering system actually used by computers is

a. binary.
b. octal.
c. decimal.
d. hexadecimal.

54. The multiplication of two numbers takes place in the:

a. main memory.
b. calculator-logic unit.
c. numeric conversion unit.
d. arithmetic-logic unit of the processor.

55. The intersection of a particular row and column on an electronic spreadsheet is called

a. an intersection.
b. a data point.
c. a cell.
d. a node.

56. Which of the following would give the best quality of output:

a. EGA color monitor with resolution of 640 X 480
b. VGA with resolution of 800 X 600 with dot pitch .28mm
c. VGA with resolution of 1024 by 780 with dot pitch .31mm.
d. VGA with resolution of 1024 by 780 with dot pitch .25mm.

57. When a person refers to a monitor's resolution, they are referring to

a. the screen size.
b. its quality of output determined by the number of pixels.
c. the number of rows and columns of characters that can be displayed on the screen at one time.
d. the number of colors that can be displayed.

58. Creates near typeset quality output, operates similar to a copy machine, and is one of the most popular output devices.

a. Dot Matrix printer
b. Laser printer
c. Ink Jet printer
d. Thermal printer
e. Plotter printer

59. Architectural firms and engineering firms use this device to draw blue prints and other type of drafting diagrams on large pieces of paper.

a. Dot Matrix printer
b. Laser printer
c. Ink Jet printer
d. Thermal printer
e. Plotter printer

60. Electronic spreadsheets primary use is for

a. storing large amounts of data.
b. performing calculations on data.
c. printing numbers in an organized form.
d. transferring data from one computer to another.

61. To be able to retrieve and update data directly is known as

a. sequential access
b. random/direct access
c. parallel and serial access.
d. sequential and serial access.

62. Today, most magnetic tape is used for

a. direct access applications.
b. backup.
c. memory dumps.
d. random processing.

63. Which of the following can be digitized and stored on CD-ROM?

a. graphics and video
b. still pictures and music
c. data, text, and voice
d. all of the above

64. Which storage media listed is becoming more popular for storage of large amounts of data and yet is portable between computers?

a. Microfilm
b. CD-ROM
c. Magnetic hard disk
d. Diskettes

65. The term software refers to

a. screen output.
b. a collective set of instructions called programs.
c. monitors, keyboards, and mice.
d. none of the above.

66. Computers and computer equipment are collectively called

a. software.
b. hardware.
c. information input.
d. program segments.

67. Information going from a local computer to a remote computer is said to be

a. downloading.
b. logging out.
c. uploading.
d. logging in.

68. Which of the following may be included in a folder

a. Data files
b. Program files
c. Folders
d. All of the above

69. Most errors that occur in computer-based systems can be directly attributed to

a. hardware errors.
b. microprocessor malfunctions.
c. motherboard failures.
d. human errors.

70. A collection of complementary software packages is usually referred to as a(n)

a. software suite.
b. operating system.
c. template.
d. desktop publishing package.

71. The basic document for the Internet's World Wide Web is called

a. a Fax.
b. a plain text document.
c. a Web page.
d. a zepher.

72. The voice telephone network carries signals as

a. waved out signals.
b. analog signals.
c. digital signals.
d. hypertext signals.

73. The string of bits used to represent a character is called

a. a binary digit.
b. a bite.
c. a numeric character.
d. a byte.

74. The brain of a computer system is the

a. input.
b. output.
c. secondary storage device.
d. processor.

75. A feature of the USB that allows peripheral devices to be connected to or removed from the USB port while the PC is running is called a

a. multiplug.
b. fast plug.
c. quick plug.
d. hot swap.

76. Microcomputer processor speed is measured by

a. the machine cycle.
b. MIPS.
c. machine orientation speed.
d. megahertz.

77. The basic components of a computer system are

a. input, programming, output, and storage.
b. input, output, manipulation, and storage.
c. processing, storage, output, and programming.
d. input, processing, output, and storage.

78. Before a magnetic disk can be used for data storage, it must first be

a. fragmented.
b. allocated.
c. formatted.
d. addressed.

79.Which of the following is not an interchangeable magnetic disk?

a. Zip disk
b. diskette
c. Super disk
d. RAM disk
e.

80. A optical laser disk that offers both read and write storage technology is

a. WORM disk.
b. CD-RW.
c. PROM disk.
d. CD-ROM.

81. Devices that read data optically are known as

a. readers.
b. scanners.
c. data entry optics.
d. lookers.

82. Which of the following can eliminate the need to enter data into a computer via keystrokes in certain applications?

a. bar flies
b. bar codes
c. ram disks
d. laser jets

83. The translation of a hard-copy image into an electronic format that can be interpreted by and stored on computer is termed

a. anamating.
b. digitizing.
c. drawing.
d. image transition.

84. The manipulation and managing of scanned images is known as

a. image analysis.
b. image processing.
c. image interpretation.
d. machine image formatting.

85. Rules established to govern the way data are transmitted in a computer network are called

a. connectivity rules.
b. functions.
c. communications protocols.
d. dedicated transmission laws.

86. Which of the following transmission media provides the greatest flexibility in the location of nodes in a network?

a. multiplexors
b. coaxial cable
c. fiber optic cable
d. wireless transceivers

87. The term Internet is short for

a. interfaced networks.
b. interconnected networks.
c. interfacing Netscape.
d. interlaced net service.

88. HTML stands for

a. High Terminal Modem Language.
b. Hot Time Modulation Link.
c. HyperText Markup Language.
d. Heavy Transmission Media Language.

89. Connection to the Internet through a network connection requires a PC configured with

a. TC/PIP software.
b. TTY/ANSI software.
c. PRO-COMP software.
d. TCP/IP software.

90. What is the domain name in the following URL?
http://www.prenhall.com/long/computers8e/main.html

a.http://
b. www.prenhall.com
c. /long/computers8e/main.html
d. computers8e/
e.

91. The image or program that you can send along with your e-mail message is

a. a file server.
b. an attached file.
c. an e-mail file.
d. a client server file.

92. People who frequent newsgroups refer to the original message and any posted replies to that message as

a. a reply.
b. a note.
c. a message.
d. a thread.

93. Unsolicited e-mail is often referred to as

a. flame.
b. sram.
c. prom.
d. spam.

94. Software that is designed to restrict access to an organization's network or its intranet is called

a. encryption.
b. password software.
c. a firewall.
d. a code.

95. The operating system and the GUI are both classified as

a. applications software.
b. interface software.
c. authoring software.
d. system software.

96. The screen upon which icons, windows, and so on are displayed is known as the

a. main display.
b. desktop.
c. prevalent display.
d. deskjet.

97. The right to duplicate proprietary software for use on several computer systems requires what to be granted by the vendor?

a. a group usage agreement
b. a multiple listing license
c. a copyright certificate
d. a site license agreement

98. Unauthorized use of proprietary software on a computer system is

a. impossible.
b. impractical.
c. illegal.
d. extremely rare.

99. Logical security for online systems is achieved primarily by

a. system testing.
b. separation of duties.
c. need-to-know status points.
d. user IDs and passwords.

100. The technology used by some companies to scramble data communications messages so that they cannot be unlawfully intercepted is called

a. scramblers.
b. NOCOM.
c. cryptography.
d. communications cop.

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