WAEC Computer Science 2018
Questions & Answers

A student might mistakenly select the monitor or hard disk, confusing input/output or storage hardware with the core computational unit. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is considered the brain of the computer because it processes instructions from programs, performs arithmetic and logic calculations, and coordinates all other hardware components to execute complex tasks. Common mistake: Confusing computer data storage devices with the processor responsible for executing instructions.

A student might mistakenly select transistors or integrated circuits, confusing the earliest computing technology with subsequent miniaturized hardware generations. First-generation computers like ENIAC relied on vacuum tubes as their main component for switching and signal amplification, though they were bulky, consumed massive amounts of power, and generated intense heat. Common mistake: Attributing early 1940s computer technology to later generations built with transistors or silicon chips.

A student might mistakenly select object code or machine code, confusing the human-readable text phase with the binary or compiled outputs executed by hardware. A program written in a high-level language like Python or Java is called source code, which must subsequently be compiled or interpreted into machine-executable instructions. Common mistake: Confusing human-readable source code with binary machine code.

Students might mistakenly choose Mouse, Scanner, or Microphone because all four are common peripheral devices linked to a computer. However, those three are input devices used to enter data or commands, whereas a printer creates hard copy forms, producing a physical copy of digital data as output such as printed documents or images, allowing users to view information. Common mistake: Confusing input peripherals that send commands into the system with output peripherals that display or render results externally.

Options like 8, 10, or 16 might be selected by confusing binary with bytes, the decimal base-10 system, or hexadecimal notation. Computers rely on electronic circuits that utilize off and on states; therefore, binary code as the fundamental language of computers employs only two digits: 0 and 1. Common mistake: Mixing up the base-2 binary system with the standard decimal base-10 counting system.

One might incorrectly pick Input, Output, or Storage by confusing the overarching data lifecycle phases. According to the IPO (Input-Process-Output) model, processing is the phase where the CPU manipulates raw data through arithmetic or logical operations to produce meaningful information. Common mistake: Confusing the raw starting inputs or final delivery phases with the active computation stage.

Bus, Star, or Mesh might be chosen by wrongly picturing network layouts as linear channels, central hubs, or interconnected nodes. In a ring topology, each device connects to the next, forming a closed loop where data travels in one direction, allowing efficient transmission but vulnerable to single-point failures. Common mistake: Assuming a star or mesh layout uses circular loops rather than central hubs or web-like connections.

Read Access Memory, Run Access Memory, or Read Only Memory may be mistakenly picked due to confusion over computer memory acronyms. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is volatile memory that allows fast read/write access to data during program execution, essential for temporary storage of active processes. Common mistake: Confusing volatile random-access capabilities with permanent read-only storage.

Application software, utility software, or compiler software might be chosen because they are all types of computer programs. An operating system like Windows is categorized as system software because it manages hardware and provides a platform for application software, handling tasks such as file management and resource allocation. Common mistake: Failing to distinguish between core system management software and end-user application software.

Byte, Kilobyte, or Nibble might be selected because they are all common units of digital measurement. A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit, representing a single 0 or 1, while larger units like a nibble consisting of 4 bits or a byte consisting of 8 bits build upon it. Common mistake: Confusing a single bit with a full byte.

RAM, Cache, or Register might be selected because they all handle active data inside a computer. ROM (Read-Only Memory) retains data even without power, used for firmware and boot instructions, providing non-volatile permanent storage unlike volatile RAM or temporary cache/registers. Common mistake: Assuming volatile components like RAM retain data permanently when power is turned off.

Word processing, database management, or graphic design might be picked if one confuses office software categories. Spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel perform numerical calculations, data analysis, and charting through formulas and functions, ideal for financial modeling and statistics. Common mistake: Confusing textual document creation tools with numerical calculation software.

HTTP, FTP, or TCP/IP might be chosen because they are all prominent networking protocols. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) handles the transmission of emails between servers, while HTTP is for web, FTP for files, and TCP/IP is a foundational suite. Common mistake: Confusing web browsing protocols with dedicated email transmission protocols.

F1, Enter, or Esc might be selected by guessing common keyboard shortcut keys. The F5 key reloads the current web page in browsers like Chrome or Firefox, updating content without navigating away. Common mistake: Confusing help function keys or navigation keys with browser refresh commands.

1100, 1001, or 1111 might be chosen through calculation errors when converting decimal numbers to binary. Decimal 10 equals 8 plus 2, which translates to 2 to the power of 3 plus 2 to the power of 1, resulting in 1010 in binary. Common mistake: Miscalculating the positional values of powers of two during binary conversion.

Printing documents, storing files, or browsing the web might be mistakenly selected by confusing network security with general computing tasks. A firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules, blocking unauthorized access and threats like hackers. Common mistake: Mistaking a security utility for a file storage or hardware output peripheral.

CPU, Monitor, or Keyboard might be chosen by mixing up internal processing units, output devices, and input peripherals with storage media. Floppy disks provide non-volatile secondary storage for data retention, unlike primary memory like RAM or input/output devices. Common mistake: Confusing processing chips and hardware peripherals with data storage media.

General User Input, Global Utility Index, or Graphic Utility Interface might be guessed by confusing similar technology acronyms. GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, which allows users to interact with computers via visual icons, windows, and menus, making systems more intuitive than command-line interfaces. Common mistake: Substituting interface terminology with input or utility terms.

File, Table, or Query might be chosen because they are all fundamental database components. A record (or row) groups related fields (columns) representing a single entity, e.g., a student's name, ID, and grade in a database. Common mistake: Confusing an individual row entry with the entire database table or file.

Python, Java, or C++ might be picked because they are widely recognized programming languages. Assembly language uses mnemonic codes close to machine code, requiring hardware-specific instructions, unlike high-level languages like Python. Common mistake: Failing to distinguish between human-readable high-level languages and hardware-dependent low-level languages.