FORM 3 COMPUTER STUDIES

TOPICAL QUESTIONS

Page | 1
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for Marking Schemes
 DATA REPRESENTATION IN A COMPUTER

1. With the aid of a diagram, explain the difference

between a digital signal and an analogue signal. (2mks)

2. Explain the role of a modem is communication.

(2mks)

3. Explain each of the following computer terminogies

as used in data representation.

(4mks)

4. State two reasons for using binary in digital

technology. (2mks)

5. Distinguish between Binary and Octal number

systems, and give an example of each. (2mks)

Page | 2
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 6. Perform the following computer arithmetic. In each
case, show how you arrive at your answer.

a) Convert the following Decimal numbers to their

Binary equivalent.

i) 4510 (2mks)

ii) 4.75 (1mk)

b) Convert 778 to Binary. (2mks)

c) Use binary addition to solve the following: 410 +310

(2mks)

Step 1: Convert the decimal numbers to binary.

Page | 3
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 d) Convert 101000000011111112 to its Hexadecimal
equivalent. (2mks)

7. a) State one use of hexadecimal notation in a

computer. (1mk)

b) Convert 7678 to hexadecimal equivalent. (2 mks)

8. Use One‟s compliment to solve the following the

following sum: - 510 (2mks)

9. Perform the following conversions: (3mks)

(a). 3410 to Binary.

Page | 4
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) 7.12510 to binary (2mks)

c) 1011012 to a base 10 number.

d) 10.112 to decimal (2mks)

e) 20.216 to decimal (2mks)

f) 7AB16 to decimal (2mks)

16 161 16
2 0

Page | 5
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 7 A B

g) 0.111011.0102 to Octal (2mks)

22 21 2 21
21 2 0
0
000 111 0 . 0 1
11 0

10. Convert 57.410 to its Octal equivalent (2mks)

11. a) Perform the following Binary arithmetic:

i) 11100111 + 00101110 (1mk)

ii) 101012 – 110+2 (1mk)

b) Use Two‟s compliment to subtract 101 from 1000: (2mks)

Page | 6
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 12. Convert 7AE16 to a decimal number. (2mks)

14. Write the following abbreviations in full: (4mks)

DATA PROCESSING

1. With an aid of a diagram, explain the stages of the

data processing cycle. (6mks)

2. Clearly differentiate between data collection and data

capture. (2mks)

3. Outline the 5 stages of data collection. (3mks)

4. a) Explain the relevance of the term garbage in

garbage out (GIGO) in reference to errors in data
processing. (1mk)

Page | 7
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) Give and explain two transcription and two computational
errors committed during data processing. (8mks)

5. a) Define the term data integrity. (2mks)

b) State three ways of minimizing threats to data integrity.

(3mks)

6. a) briefly explain real-time processing. (2mks)

c) Give three advantages and two disadvantages of a real-time

system. (5mks)

7. Differentiate between CPU bound jobs and I/O bound

jobs. (2mks)

8. Most companies are now shifting from the use of

geographically distributed personal computers. This

Page | 8
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 method of data processing is known as Distributed Data
Processing (DDP)

Required:

i) Name any threes computing resources that can be

distributed. (3mks) -CPU (Processors) time

ii) Name four examples of industries and business

organizations that extensively use

distributed processing systems. (4mks)

iii) List down two benefits and three risks that might be
associated with the distributed data processing system.
(5mks)

Benefits Risks

Page | 9
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 9. a) Explain the concept of multi-programming

(2mks)

b) Give two benefits that are derived from multi-

programming

(2mks)

10. State at least four advantages of storing data in

computer files over the manual filing system
(4mks)

11. Distinguish between logical and physical computer

files.

(2mks)

Page | 10
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 12. Arrange the following components of the information
system data hierarchy in ascending order of complexity:

Field, Database, Byte, Record, Bit, and file (4mks)

13. In a computer based information system, state the

purpose of the following files, and give one example where
such a file may be required in a school.

(8mks)

14. a) What is file organization?

b) Differentiate between the following file

organization methods: (4mks)

i) Sequential and serial

Page | 11
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 .

ii) Random and indexed-sequential

PROGRAMMING

Section A

1. Define the following terms: (3mks)

i) Computer Program

ii) Programming

iii) Programming language

Page | 12
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 2. Explain the meaning of the following as used in
computer programming. (2mks)

i) Syntax -

ii) Semantic -

3. a) What are low-level languages? Give their

features. (4mks)

Features:

b) Give three advantages of high-level languages as

opposed to low-level

languages (3mks)

4 a) Examine two features of fourth generation languages

(4GLS) (2mks)

Page | 13
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) List three examples of fourth generation programming
languages. (3mks)

5. Describe 5 factors to be considered while choosing a

programming language. (5mks)

6. Differentiate between the following as used in

programming:

a) A source program

Object code

b) Flowchart and pseudo code. (2mks)

Page | 14
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 7 What do the following abbreviations stand for:
(2mks)

8 a) Define a Language translator (1mk)

b) Give two advantages of compiling a program rather

than interpreting

it. (2mks)

- .

9. Name the stages of a program development in their

logical sequence. (31/2)

10. (a) Give two reasons why it is necessary to have a

program design. (2mks)

Page | 15
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) State two requirements during computer program
testing. (2mks)

11. a) State any four rules/guidelines that should be

followed when drawing program flowcharts.
(4mks)

b) Give one advantage of pseudo codes over

flowcharts (1mk)

12. Explain the following types of computer program

errors:

a) Syntax error (2mks)

b) Logical Errors

Page | 16
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 c) Run-time (execution) error. (2mks)

13. Explain four error detecting methods in program

development (4mks)

14. Describe three types of program documentation in

reference to programming

(6mks)

15. a) State three types of control structures use in

programming. (3mks)

b) Draw a simple flowchart diagram to illustrate the

FOR-DO structure.

(3mks)

Page | 17
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 16. a) Define the term structured programming
(2mks)

b) List any two characteristics of Structured

programming. (2mks)

c) Give two benefits of structured programming.

(2mks)

17. a) Define the term selection to program control

structures. (1mk)

b) List four selection control structures used in

writing a program (4mks)

18. a) Name the control structure depicted by the

following diagram (2mks)

Page | 18
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) Name the symbols labeled A and b in the
diagram above. (2mks)

19. Define the term ARRAY as used in computer

programming. (1mk)

Page | 19
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 20. Draw a simple flowchart diagram showing:
(2mks) a) IF….THEN…. selection

b) IF...THEN…ELSE selection (2mks)

c) REPEAT…UNTIL loop (4mks)

21. a) With aid of a pseudo code and a flowchart,

design an algorithm that

would:

• Prompt the user to enter two number X and Y

• Divide X by Y. However, if the value of Y is 0, the

program should display an error message “Error:
Division by zero”.

Page | 20
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) Write down the assignment statement used in the
algorithm above. (2mks)

c) Which program control structure is depicted in the

algorithm? (1mk)

22. Draw a flowchart for a program that is to prompt for

N numbers, accumulate the sum and them find the average.
The output is the accumulated totals and the average.

Page | 21
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 23. Write a pseudo code that reads temperature for each
day in a week, in degree Celsius, converts the celcius into
Fahrenheit and then calculate the average weekly
temperatures.

The program should output the calculated average in

degrees Fahrenheit.

24. Michael deposits 1,000 in a bank at an interest rat of

10% per year. At the end of each year, the interest earned
is added to the amount on deposit and this becomes the
new deposit for the next year.

Develop a pseudo code to determine the year in which the

amount accumulated first exceeds 2,000. Also for each
year, print the year (starting from 1), the deposit, the
Interest earned, and the total accumulated at the end of the
year.

Page | 22
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
25. Study the flowchart diagram below and answer the
questions that follow:

a) What will be the value of the sum when printed? Show how
you arrive at your answer.

(5mks)

26. Mwalimu savings society (MSS) Pays 5% interest on

shares exceeding 100,000 shillings and 3% on shares that
do not meet this target. However, no interest is paid on
deposits in the member‟s MSS bank account

a) Design a pseudo code for a program that would:

Page | 23
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 i) Prompt the user for shares and deposit of
particular members

ii) Calculate the interest and total savings

iii) Display the interest and total savings on the

screen for particular members of the

society. (7mks)

b) Draw a flowchart for the above pseudo code. (8mks)

27. a) Study the flowchart below and answer the questions

that follow:

a) List all the outputs from the flowchart.

(3mks)

Page | 24
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 b) What will be the output if the statement in the decision
box is changed to?

(3mks)

c) Modify the flowchart to print the sum of all the

outputs. (9mks)

28. The gross salary of employees of Mutson Chemist is based

on the Basic and additional benefits. Employees with more than
10 year‟s experience get an additional pay of 10% of their basic
salary. Bonuses are given as per employees‟ sales of the month
as:

>200,000
15%

100,000 –
10%
200,000

Page | 25
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
Below
100,000 5%
Draw a flowchart for the program that will calculate Gross
salary and output each employee‟s Basic salary, gross salary and
all benefits. (15 mks)

SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

1. What do you mean by a system? (2mks)

2. Differentiate between soft systems and hard systems.

(2mks)

3. Explain five characteristics of a system

(5mks)

Page | 26
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 4. a) Define the term information system.
(2mks)

b) Highlight three circumstances that necessitate the

development of new information systems. (3mks)

• New opportunities: -

• Problems: -

• Directive: -

5. State four roles (functions) of an Information system

analyst. (4mks)

6. Define the following terms:

i) System control

ii) System boundary

iii) Online analytical processing

Page | 27
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 7. State one disadvantage of the Traditional approach in
system development (1mk)

8. What is Prototyping as used in system development?

(2mks)

9. Outline the seven steps followed in structured system

development. (3 ½ mks)

10. Define the term Feasibility study as used in system

development. (2mks)

11. You are required to develop a registration system for a

particular school. State two ways in which you would
gather the information required for the system

Page | 28
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 development. (2mks)

12. Identify two disadvantages of Observation method

used in fact-finding. (2mks)

13. a) Name three circumstances in which it is better to

use a Questionnaire than an

Interview for gathering information. (3mks)

b) Outline three advantages of questionnaires.

(3mks)

14. a) Explain the importance of using automated

methods in fact finding. (1mk)

b) Give one example of automated information gathering

technique. (1mk)

Page | 29
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 15. Mention the four factors that may be considered in
order to design a good file.(4mks)

16. State four factors that may be considered in order to

design a good file. (4mks)

- .
17. Define the term “attribute” (1mk)

18. State two methods/tools that a system analyst may use

to design a system. (2mks)

19. Explain three tasks that are carried out during system
implementation. (3mks)

- File conversions

Page | 30
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
 20. Your school has decided to replace its library control
system. The current system was implemented ten years ago
but has restricted reporting facilities and has a text-based
interface. The school intents to replace the old system with
a new computerized system, and is now considering both
„Parallel running” and “direct changeover”.

a). (i) Briefly explain the terms parallel running and direct
changeover as used in system

implementation.
(2mks)

(ii) Give two disadvantages of direct changeover

over parallel running. (1mk)

(iii) Mention any two advantages of running both the

manual system ad the computerized system
simultaneously. (2mks)

Page | 31
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes
Page | 32
Call/Whatsapp Mdm Mariam@0746711892 for the Marking Schemes