APPSC Paper I · Assistant Statistical Officer Paper II · Topic 5
5 APPSC Paper I Basics of Computers questions with answers
28 questions from APPSC ASO 2025 Paper II question paper with answers and APPSC ASO Paper II Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.
Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.
5.1Arithmetic & logic operations, algorithms & flowchartsNotes
-
What will be the output of a two-input OR gate when both inputs are LOW (0)?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. 0
An OR gate outputs 1 if at least one input is 1; with both inputs 0 the output is 0.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q136, final key
-
A NOT gate is used in a digital circuit, where it takes the output of an OR gate as its input. If the inputs to the OR gate are A = 0 and B = 1, then what will the final output after passing through the NOT gate be?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. 0
0 OR 1 = 1, and NOT 1 = 0 (this OR-NOT combination is a NOR gate).
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q137, final key
-
Which of the following statements best describes the function of a NAND gate?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. A NAND gate outputs 0 only when both inputs are 1; otherwise, it outputs 1.
NAND is AND followed by NOT: the output is 0 only when all inputs are 1 and 1 otherwise.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q138, final key
-
Which of the following best describes the functionality of a NOR gate in digital logic circuits?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. It is the inverse of an OR gate, producing a HIGH output only when both inputs are LOW.
NOR = NOT(OR): the output is HIGH only when every input is LOW and LOW otherwise.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q140, final key
-
Trace the flowchart: Start → S = 0, I = 1 → [Is I ≤ 5?] — Yes → S = S + I × I → I = I + 1 → back to the decision; No → Print S → Stop. What value is printed?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. 55
The loop runs for I = 1 to 5 and adds I²: S = 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25 = 55, which is printed when I becomes 6.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
-
Consider the following statements about the XNOR gate:
1. Its output is 1 when both inputs are equal.
2. It is the complement of the XOR gate.
3. For inputs A and B its output is A·B + A'·B'.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. 1, 2 and 3
XNOR (equivalence gate) gives 1 for inputs 00 and 11; it is NOT of XOR, and its expression is A·B + A'·B'.
Source: Standard computer fundamentals textbook (e.g., P. K. Sinha, Computer Fundamentals), Logic Gates
-
How is −45 represented in 8-bit 2's complement form?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. 11010011
+45 = 00101101. Inverting gives 11010010 (1's complement), and adding 1 gives 11010011, the 2's complement form of −45.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
-
A sequence of instructions is written as: Step 1: Read A, B. Step 2: If A > B then Max = A else Max = B. Step 3: Print Max. Step 4: Go to Step 1. Which property of an algorithm does this procedure violate?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. Finiteness
With an unconditional 'Go to Step 1' and no stopping condition, the procedure never ends; an algorithm must terminate after a finite number of steps.
Source: D. E. Knuth, The Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 1, §1.1 (properties of an algorithm)
5.1Number systems & conversionsNotes
-
Read the given statement(s) and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statement(s) is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statement(s).
Statement: In 2's complement representation, negative numbers are obtained by inverting all bits of the positive number and adding 1.
Conclusions:
I. A number with MSB = 1 in 2's complement is always negative.
II. 2's complement allows direct arithmetic operations without requiring separate subtraction circuits.
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Both conclusions I and II follow.
In 2's complement the MSB acts as the sign bit, so MSB = 1 means a negative number, and subtraction is done by adding the 2's complement, so the same adder handles both operations.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q139, final key
-
What is the decimal equivalent of the binary number (101101)₂?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. 45
(101101)₂ = 1×2⁵ + 0×2⁴ + 1×2³ + 1×2² + 0×2¹ + 1×2⁰ = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1 = 45.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
-
Consider the following statements about converting decimal numbers to binary:
1. A decimal integer is converted by repeated division by 2, and the remainders are read from the last to the first.
2. A decimal fraction is converted by repeated multiplication by 2, and the integer parts are read from the last to the first.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. 1 only
For the integer part, divide by 2 repeatedly and read the remainders from the last to the first (bottom to top). For the fractional part, multiply by 2 repeatedly and read the integer parts in the order they are obtained (top to bottom), e.g. 0.625 → 1, 0, 1 → 0.101.
Source: Standard B.Com/B.Sc. Computer Fundamentals textbook (Telugu Akademi), Number Systems
-
Consider the following statements:
1. Each octal digit can be written as a group of exactly three binary digits.
2. Each hexadecimal digit can be written as a group of exactly four binary digits.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Both 1 and 2
Because 8 = 2³, each octal digit 0–7 matches a 3-bit group 000–111; because 16 = 2⁴, each hexadecimal digit 0–F matches a 4-bit group 0000–1111.
Source: Standard B.Com/B.Sc. Computer Fundamentals textbook (Telugu Akademi), Number Systems
-
What is the decimal equivalent of the octal number (157)₈?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. 111
(157)₈ = 1×8² + 5×8¹ + 7×8⁰ = 64 + 40 + 7 = 111.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
5.1SpreadsheetsNotes
-
Which of the following is the quickest way to automatically adjust the width of a column, in MS Excel 2019?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Double-clicking the right border of the column header.
Double-clicking the right border of a column heading runs AutoFit, sizing the column to its widest entry in one step.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q141, final key
-
Which MS Excel 2019 function returns the highest numeric value from a given range of cells?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. MAX
MAX(range) returns the largest number in the range.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q142, final key
-
Which of the following is the most efficient method to edit data in a specific cell without replacing the existing content, in MS Excel 2019?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. Click the cell and press F2 before editing.
F2 puts the active cell into Edit mode with the cursor at the end of the existing content, so you can change it without overwriting.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q144, final key
-
What will happen if a user selects multiple non-adjacent rows and attempts to delete them simultaneously, in MS Excel 2019?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. Excel will delete all the selected rows at once.
Whole rows selected with Ctrl can be deleted together; Excel removes every selected row in one action.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q145, final key
-
What happens when a user enters a number with leading zeros (e.g., 00789) into a cell, in MS Excel 2019, by default?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. Excel automatically removes the leading zeros and stores the number as 789.
With the default General format, Excel treats 00789 as the number 789 and drops the leading zeros; to keep them you need Text format or an apostrophe.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q149, final key
-
Cell E1 contains =A1*2. Consider the following statements about MS Excel 2019:
1. If E1 is cut and pasted into G5, G5 contains =A1*2.
2. If E1 is copied and pasted into G5, G5 contains =C5*2.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Both 1 and 2
Moving a formula (cut and paste) keeps its references unchanged. Copying shifts relative references by the same offset: E1 → G5 is +2 columns, +4 rows, so A1 → C5.
Source: Medha AI, based on BRAOU/APSCHE degree textbooks (ASO Paper II)
-
What does =(5>3)+1 return in MS Excel?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. 2
A comparison returns a logical value. When TRUE or FALSE is used in an arithmetic formula, Excel converts it to 1 or 0. Here (5>3) = TRUE = 1, so the result is 2.
Source: Standard spreadsheet method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
-
Match List I (error value) with List II (usual cause):
List I:
A. #DIV/0!
B. #NAME?
C. #REF!
D. #N/A
List II:
1. A formula refers to a cell that has been deleted
2. A lookup value is not available
3. A number is divided by zero or by an empty cell
4. A function name is misspelt
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
#DIV/0! = division by zero; #NAME? = unrecognised text such as a misspelt function; #REF! = invalid (deleted) reference; #N/A = value not available, typically from a failed lookup.
Source: Microsoft Support, How to correct errors in formulas
5.1Codes, bits, bytes & memoryNotes
-
Which of the following best describes the role of cache memory in a computer system?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. It stores frequently accessed data to reduce access time for the processor.
Cache is a small, very fast memory between the CPU and RAM that holds frequently used data and instructions to cut access time.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q146, final key
-
Which of the following options is correct with reference to the given statements and conclusions?
Statement 1: Direct Memory Access (DMA) enhances system performance by allowing data transfers without continuous CPU intervention.
Statement 2: DMA can transfer data between memory and I/O devices without needing CPU control at any stage.
Conclusions:
I. DMA improves efficiency by freeing up CPU resources for other tasks.
II. The CPU is never involved in any data transfer when DMA is used.
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. Only conclusion I follows.
DMA frees the CPU from moving each byte, so conclusion I follows; but the CPU still sets up the transfer and is interrupted on completion, so 'never involved' is too absolute.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q147, final key
-
Which of the following statements about computer memory hierarchy is INCORRECT?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. ROM can be written and modified multiple times during normal computer operation.
ROM is read-only memory: its contents are fixed and are not rewritten during normal operation, so this statement is incorrect.
Source: APPSC Assistant Statistical Officer 2025, Paper II (Notification 12/2024), Q150, final key
-
Match List I (code) with List II (description):
List I:
A. ASCII
B. EBCDIC
C. Unicode
D. Gray code
List II:
1. Universal character set covering the scripts of the world's languages
2. 7-bit code for 128 characters
3. Unit-distance code in which successive values differ in one bit
4. 8-bit code used on IBM mainframes
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
ASCII is a 7-bit code (128 characters); EBCDIC is IBM's 8-bit code; Unicode gives a code point to the characters of nearly all writing systems; Gray code changes one bit between successive values.
Source: Standard computer fundamentals texts; The Unicode Standard (unicode.org)
-
Consider the following statements:
1. Static RAM stores each bit as a charge on a capacitor and must be refreshed periodically.
2. Cache memory is usually built from static RAM.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. 2 only
DRAM stores bits as capacitor charge and needs periodic refreshing; SRAM uses flip-flops, needs no refresh, is faster and costlier, and is used for cache memory.
Source: Standard computer organisation texts (M. Morris Mano, Computer System Architecture), Memory organisation
-
The Gray code 1101 is converted to binary. What is the result?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. 1001
Copy the MSB, then each binary bit = previous binary bit ⊕ current Gray bit: 1, 1⊕1 = 0, 0⊕0 = 0, 0⊕1 = 1, so binary = 1001 (decimal 9). Check: 1001 → Gray 1101.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
-
The bit pattern of the 7-bit ASCII code of the letter 'C' is 1000011. If an even-parity bit is added to make 8 bits, what is the parity bit?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. 1
1000011 contains three 1s. For even parity the total number of 1s including the parity bit must be even, so the parity bit is 1.
Source: Standard method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python
Practise more Basics of Computers. The app has more questions on this topic, picks new ones first and brings back the ones you got wrong.
All APPSC Paper I topics · APPSC Paper I syllabus · Start free
Medha AI is an independent preparation service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to APPSC, TSPSC, MPSC, UPSC or any other commission or government body.