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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Computers & IT

Ultimate Computer IQ Test: Hardware & Software Challenge

Ready to test your computer knowledge with this hardware and software quiz?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art computer IQ quiz illustration with PC components and test icons on sky blue background

This Computer IQ quiz helps you measure how well you understand PC hardware and software. Answer scored questions on components, system tools, and everyday tasks to spot gaps fast. For extra practice, check the hardware and software basics and try the PC parts practice .

Which component is considered the 'brain' of the computer?
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
The CPU executes instructions and processes data, acting as the main control unit of a computer. It performs calculations, logic operations, and directs data flow between other components. Often referred to as the 'brain' of the computer, it determines overall system performance. .
Which component temporarily stores data for quick access by the CPU?
L1 Cache
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is volatile memory that loses data when power is off, providing fast read/write access to the CPU. It temporarily stores active data and instructions that the CPU needs immediately. Unlike HDD or SSD, it allows rapid access speeds but cannot retain data long-term. .
Which of the following is an example of system software?
Microsoft Word
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Windows
Google Chrome
System software manages and interfaces with computer hardware, allowing application software to run. An operating system like Windows is the classic example of system software. In contrast, Word, Photoshop, and Chrome are applications built on top of the OS. .
What does BIOS stand for?
Basic Input/Output System
Binary Input/Output Service
Basic Integrated Operating System
Boot Immediate Output Sequence
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and is firmware used to initialize hardware during the booting process. It conducts the POST (Power-On Self-Test) and sets up hardware so the operating system can take over. Modern systems often use UEFI, which offers more features but performs a similar role. .
Which component is primarily responsible for rendering images and video on the computer?
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Network Interface Card (NIC)
The GPU is designed to handle complex mathematical and geometric calculations required for rendering images and video. It offloads these tasks from the CPU, improving graphical performance and enabling smoother visuals. Modern GPUs support hardware acceleration for tasks like 3D rendering and video playback. .
Which of the following is not a file system?
HTTP
NTFS
EXT4
FAT32
NTFS, FAT32, and EXT4 are all file systems used to organize data on storage devices. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol used for transferring web pages, not a file system. It does not manage file storage or directory structures on disks. .
What is a key advantage of the GUID Partition Table (GPT) over the Master Boot Record (MBR)?
Is only compatible with legacy BIOS
Uses FAT32 by default
Requires less CPU overhead
Supports disks larger than 2 TB
GPT supports disks larger than 2 TB and allows for more than four primary partitions per disk. MBR is limited to 2 TB and four partitions. Additionally, GPT stores multiple redundant partition tables for improved reliability. .
What is the primary role of a device driver in an operating system?
Facilitating communication between hardware and the OS
Allocating IP addresses on a network
Encrypting and decrypting files
Managing user account permissions
A device driver is software that translates OS commands into hardware-specific operations and vice versa. It enables the operating system to interact with hardware devices without needing to know their low-level details. Without proper drivers, hardware components would be unusable. .
Which RAID level uses striping with parity and requires at least three disks?
RAID 5
RAID 1
RAID 0
RAID 10
RAID 5 uses block-level striping combined with distributed parity, providing both performance improvements and fault tolerance. It requires a minimum of three disks to store parity information across all drives. If one drive fails, data can be reconstructed using parity data on the remaining disks. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Fundamental Hardware Components -

    Learn to recognize and describe key PC parts such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and storage devices, boosting your computer hardware quiz confidence.

  2. Identify Core Software Functions -

    Gain clarity on operating system roles, application software use cases, and essential software services to excel in any hardware and software quiz.

  3. Differentiate Hardware vs. Software Issues -

    Develop the ability to pinpoint whether a performance problem stems from a faulty component or a software misconfiguration during your troubleshooting process.

  4. Analyze PC Component Performance Factors -

    Examine how elements like clock speed, memory capacity, and storage type affect overall system performance to improve your hardware understanding.

  5. Apply Troubleshooting Techniques -

    Practice step-by-step diagnostic methods for resolving common PC errors, from boot failures to driver conflicts, sharpening your practical computer knowledge test skills.

  6. Assess Computer IQ and Knowledge Gaps -

    Evaluate your strengths and identify areas for growth in both hardware and software domains, empowering you to track progress and boost your confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Motherboard Architecture: Northbridge vs Southbridge -

    The Northbridge handles high-speed communication (CPU, RAM, GPU) while the Southbridge manages I/O (USB, SATA, networking), a key concept for any hardware and software quiz (Intel Developer Manuals). Use the mnemonic "north goes up to processing, south goes down to peripherals" to recall their roles.

  2. CPU Performance Metrics: Clock Rate × IPC -

    CPU performance follows the formula Performance ∝ Clock Rate × IPC, combining clock frequency (GHz) and instructions per cycle (IPC) (adapted from Hennessy & Patterson). For example, a 3 GHz CPU with 4 IPC can execute ~12 billion instructions per second. Understanding this formula is a quick win for boosting your computer IQ on any computer knowledge test.

  3. Memory Hierarchy and Latency -

    Computer memory is organized in a hierarchy from L1 cache (~1 cycle) to main RAM (~50 ns) to disk storage (~10 ms), impacting access speeds by orders of magnitude (university computer architecture courses). Remember "Registers < Cache < RAM < Disk" to keep performance tiers clear.

  4. Storage Technologies: HDD vs SSD vs NVMe -

    HDDs rely on spinning platters, SSDs utilize NAND flash, and NVMe drives leverage PCIe lanes for ultra-fast data transfer (JEDEC standards). A quick mnemonic: "HDD spins, SSD snaps, NVMe zips" highlights relative speed differences.

  5. Operating System Functions and File Systems -

    Operating systems manage core functions - process scheduling, memory management, device I/O, and security - while file systems like FAT32 and NTFS differ in journaling support and max file sizes (Tanenbaum OS textbooks). Use "PIMFS" (Processes, I/O, Memory, File Systems, Security) to remember essential OS services - this handy mnemonic boosts confidence in both hardware and software quizzes and software trivia tests.

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