Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Computers & IT

Tech Literacy Test: How Tech-Savvy Are You?

Quick, free digital literacy quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lusiana StefanusUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art laptop smartphone gears lightbulb chat bubbles on coral background for interactive technology literacy quiz

This tech literacy test helps you check your everyday tech skills across settings, security, and common tools. If you want a gentler start, try our computer basics quiz, then build vocabulary with a computer terminology quiz, or go broader with an information technology quiz. Take a few minutes and see where you can improve.

What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
Central Print Unit
Control Processing Utility
Computer Power Unit
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is responsible for executing instructions from software by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations. It acts as the 'brain' of the computer, managing all other hardware components. Understanding the CPU is fundamental to technical literacy.
What device is used to connect multiple devices within a local area network?
Network switch
Hub
Bridge
Router
A network switch operates at the data link layer and forwards data frames only to the destination device based on MAC addresses. It improves network efficiency by reducing unnecessary broadcast traffic compared to a hub. Routers direct traffic between different networks, while bridges connect only two segments.
What does HTTP stand for?
HyperText Transfer Protocol
HyperText Transmission Protocol
Hyperlink Transfer Program
Hyperlink Text Transport Protocol
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, which defines how messages are formatted and transmitted on the web. It also determines how web servers and browsers should respond to various commands. HTTPS adds an extra layer of security through encryption.
Which file extension typically indicates a compressed archive?
.zip
.doc
.jpg
.txt
The .zip file extension is one of the most common archive formats, supporting lossless compression for bundling multiple files. It is widely used across different operating systems. Other extensions like .doc, .txt, and .jpg represent document or image files without native archiving.
What is the primary function of an operating system?
Protect against viruses
Store webpages
Manage hardware and software resources
Develop applications
An operating system (OS) manages hardware components like CPU, memory, and storage, and provides a platform for running applications. It handles system resources, user interfaces, and file management. Without an OS, hardware would be inaccessible to users and programs.
Which of the following is NOT an input device?
Keyboard
Printer
Mouse
Scanner
Input devices provide data to a computer, while output devices, like printers, deliver processed data to users. Keyboards, mice, and scanners capture user input. Printers convert digital documents into physical form, classifying them as output devices.
On many network routers, what color indicator light often signifies an active Ethernet connection?
Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
Manufacturers commonly use green LEDs to indicate an active Ethernet link and blinking activity on many routers. Other colors like amber or red may signal errors or lower speeds. Always consult specific device documentation for exact meanings.
In Windows, which keyboard shortcut opens Task Manager directly?
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Alt+F4
Ctrl+Alt+F4
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc in Windows bypasses the security screen and opens Task Manager immediately, allowing quick access to process and performance information. Ctrl+Alt+Del shows a menu screen where Task Manager is an option.
Which protocol is used to securely browse the web?
HTTPS
SMTP
FTP
Telnet
HTTPS, or HTTP Secure, uses TLS/SSL encryption to protect data transmitted between a web browser and server, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. It is indicated by 'https://' in the URL. In contrast, FTP, SMTP, and Telnet lack this standardized encryption.
By default, which port does SSH use?
21
25
443
22
The Secure Shell (SSH) protocol uses TCP port 22 by default to provide encrypted remote login and other secure network services. Port 21 is for FTP, 443 for HTTPS, and 25 for SMTP email.
What does DNS translate?
IP addresses to domain names
Email addresses to IP addresses
URLs to webpages
Domain names to IP addresses
The Domain Name System (DNS) maps human-readable domain names like example.com to machine-readable IP addresses. This allows users to access websites without memorizing numeric addresses. Reverse DNS can map IPs back to names but is not the primary function.
What is the primary purpose of a VPN?
Create a secure tunnel over the internet
Block ads
Increase download speed
Backup files
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes an encrypted tunnel between a device and a remote server, protecting data from eavesdroppers and securing connections on untrusted networks. It also enables access to geographically restricted content. It does not inherently speed up downloads or block ads.
Which RAID level uses disk mirroring for redundancy?
RAID 1
RAID 5
RAID 10
RAID 0
RAID 1 mirrors data across two or more disks, creating identical copies for redundancy. If one disk fails, the mirrored counterpart ensures no data loss. RAID 0 offers striping without redundancy, RAID 5 uses parity, and RAID 10 combines mirroring and striping.
Which command is used to list directory contents in Linux?
ls
show
dir
list
The 'ls' command in Unix and Linux lists files and directories in the current location, with options for detailed views. 'dir' is common on Windows, while 'list' and 'show' are not standard.
Which type of memory is volatile, losing data when power is turned off?
ROM
SSD
RAM
HDD
Random Access Memory (RAM) is volatile memory that requires constant power to retain data. When power is lost, all information in RAM is cleared. In contrast, ROM, SSDs, and HDDs are non-volatile and preserve data without power.
In binary, what decimal number does 101101 represent?
23
58
45
53
The binary number 101101 equals 1×2? + 0×2? + 1×2³ + 1×2² + 0×2¹ + 1×2? = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1 = 45. Converting between binary and decimal is foundational in computing.
Which CPU scheduling algorithm assigns each process a fixed time slot in a rotating order?
Shortest Job First
First-Come-First-Served
Priority Scheduling
Round Robin
Round Robin scheduling gives each process a fixed time quantum in a cyclic order, ensuring fairness and preventing starvation. It is a preemptive algorithm that switches tasks when their allotted time expires.
What is the main purpose of the ICMP protocol in networking?
Send error messages and operational information
Manage email
Resolve domain names
Encrypt data streams
The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is used to send error messages and operational information, such as unreachable destination or network congestion. Diagnostic tools like ping and traceroute rely on ICMP.
What is the key difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?
Symmetric is only for small data, asymmetric for large
Symmetric uses two keys, while asymmetric uses one
Symmetric uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt, while asymmetric uses a key pair
Symmetric requires internet, asymmetric is local
Symmetric encryption uses the same secret key for both encryption and decryption, offering speed for large data but requiring secure key distribution. Asymmetric encryption uses a public/private key pair, enabling secure key exchange and digital signatures.
Which of the following is an example of a Type-1 hypervisor?
VMware ESXi
QEMU
VirtualBox
VMware Workstation
A Type-1 hypervisor runs directly on host hardware to manage guest operating systems, offering high performance and isolation. VMware ESXi is a leading Type-1 hypervisor. Software like VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and QEMU typically run on top of a host OS (Type-2).
What is the time complexity of binary search on a sorted dataset?
O(n log n)
O(log n)
O(1)
O(n)
Binary search divides a sorted dataset in half each step, eliminating half the remaining elements until the target is found. This yields a logarithmic time complexity of O(log n), making it efficient for large datasets.
Which AWS service provides scalable object storage?
Amazon RDS
Amazon EC2
Amazon VPC
Amazon S3
Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) offers highly scalable object storage for any amount of data, with features like versioning, lifecycle policies, and cross-region replication. EC2 provides compute instances, RDS is managed databases, and VPC handles networking.
In the TCP three-way handshake, which flag is sent by the client to initiate the connection?
SYN
RST
ACK
FIN
During a TCP three-way handshake, the client initiates communication by sending a segment with the SYN (synchronize) flag set. The server responds with SYN-ACK, and the client completes the handshake with an ACK. This process establishes sequence numbers for the session.
Which web vulnerability involves injecting malicious SQL statements into an entry field?
SQL Injection
Directory Traversal
Cross-Site Scripting
Cross-Site Request Forgery
SQL injection attacks exploit unsanitized user inputs to insert malicious SQL commands, potentially exposing or altering database contents. Proper input validation and parameterized queries are key defenses. This remains one of the OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities.
Which HTTP method is idempotent?
CONNECT
PATCH
GET
POST
An idempotent HTTP method yields the same result no matter how many times it is executed without additional side effects. GET requests retrieve data and do not alter server state, making them idempotent. Methods like POST and PATCH can cause changes on each call.
0
{"name":"What does CPU stand for?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does CPU stand for?, What device is used to connect multiple devices within a local area network?, What does HTTP stand for?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Assess Your Technical Literacy Level -

    Use this technology literacy quiz to measure your current grasp of core digital concepts and determine where you stand in technical literacy.

  2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses -

    Analyze your performance on the digital literacy assessment to pinpoint which tech skills you excel at and which areas need improvement.

  3. Apply Technology Concepts in Real Scenarios -

    Translate quiz insights into practical actions by practicing everyday tech tasks and troubleshooting common digital issues.

  4. Compare Results to Industry Benchmarks -

    Evaluate your tech skills test scores against average proficiency levels to see how you rank among peers and professionals.

  5. Develop a Personalized Improvement Plan -

    Create actionable next steps and learning goals based on your quiz results to boost your technology proficiency quiz performance over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Operating Systems -

    The OS manages hardware and software resources, scheduling tasks and managing files. Use the mnemonic "KISS" (Kernel, Interface, Services, Security) to recall core functions and explore process management in MIT OpenCourseWare lectures.

  2. Fundamentals of Networking -

    Core concepts include IP addressing (IPv4 vs IPv6) and protocols like TCP vs UDP. Remember the OSI layers with "Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away" (Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application) from Cisco Networking Academy.

  3. Cybersecurity Basics -

    Grasp the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, and common threats such as phishing. Apply NIST's ARM approach - Assess, Respond, Mitigate - to manage security incidents effectively.

  4. Data Literacy and Analytics -

    Interpret charts and calculate statistics like mean, median, and standard deviation (σ=√(Σ(x−μ)²/N)) to derive insights. Practice with tools like Excel or Python's pandas library as recommended by Harvard Data Science courses.

  5. Digital Citizenship and Ethics -

    Learn to manage your digital footprint, respect privacy, and practice responsible online behavior. Follow ISTE standards and use the "STOP" rule - Stop, Think, Observe, Proceed - for ethical technology decisions.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Computers & IT Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker