INTENSIVE HOLIDAYS REVISION

F3 COMPUTER STUDIES TOPIC BY TOPIC

(ALL TOPICS TESTED)

N/B In Response to the Huge Costs Associated in Coming Up with Such/Similar

Resources Regularly, We inform us All, MARKING SCHEMES ARE NOT FREE OF
CHARGE. However Similar QUESTIONS, Inform of soft Copies, are Absolutely
FREE to Anybody/Everybody. Hence NOT FOR SALE
by Amobi Group of Examiners.
Page 1 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 Page 2 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 1. 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)
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)
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. (2mks)
8. Use One‟s compliment to solve the following the following sum: - 510 (2mks)
9. Perform the following conversions: (3mks)
a). 3410 to Binary. (2mks)
b) 7.12510 to binary (2mks)
c) 1011012 to a base 10 number. (2mks)
d) 10.112 to decimal (2mks)
e) 20.216 to decimal (2mks)
f) 7AB16 to decimal (2mks)
16 2 161 16 0
7 A B

g) 0.111011.0102 to Octal (2mks)

22 21 21 2 0 21
20
000 111 0 11 . 0 1 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)
12. Convert 7AE16 to a decimal number. (2mks)
14. Write the following abbreviations in full: (4mks)

Page 3 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 2. 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)
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)
b) 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 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)
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)
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
ii) Random and indexed-sequential

Page 4 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 3. PROGRAMMING
Section A
1. Define the following terms: (3mks)
i) Computer Program
ii) Programming
iii) Programming language
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)
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
b) Flowchart and pseudo code. (2mks)
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. (3 1/2mks)
10. (a) Give two reasons why it is necessary to have a program design. (2mks)
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 (2mks)
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)
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)

Page 5 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
18. a) Name the control structure depicted by the following diagram (2mks)

b) Name the symbols labeled A and b in the diagram above. (2mks)

19. Define the term ARRAY as used in computer programming. (1mk)
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”.
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.
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.
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 6 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for 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)

b) What will be the output if the statement in the decision box is changed to?
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 – 200,000 10%

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. (15mks)

Page 7 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 4. 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)
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 iii) Online analytical processing
ii) System boundary
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 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)
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)
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 8 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes
 Page 9 of 9
Prefer Calling Amobi Group of Examiners @ 0743 333 000 or 0706 851 439 for Marking Schemes