REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Paix-Travail-Patrie Peace-Work-Fatherland
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MINISTERE DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
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COMMISSION NATIONALE D’ORGANISATION DE L’EXAMEN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE ORGANISATION
DU HND OF THE HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA EXAM (HND)
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PRE HND 2025
National Higher National Diploma Examination-June-July 2025 Session
NATIONAL EXAM OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA – 2025 SESSION
SPECIALITY/ OPTION: FOT, APT, CPT, APA, AGE, AGP, ELT, EPS, ACR, QOP, PSE, PLA,
PMA, HUR, LTM, PSM, MTS, BFI, INT, INS, LAS, BFP, FCT, TAT, HMC, DCT, EMA, SPE, JOU,
COC, NUS, MLS, MIT, PHT, DTH, MID, PHY, NUD, HCM, ULS, TEL, NWS, AND, OPT, BCR, SPW,
LGA, PCH, APG, SOW, AFI, AGF, EIA, HYW, ABT, MBE, SRE, LGT, PMA, MPA, ELN
PAPER: COMPUTER STUDIES
DURATION: 2 HOURS CREDIT: 1
Instructions: Answer all the questions. You are reminded of the necessity for good English
and orderly presentation of your work.
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (20 MARKS)
Instructions: Write only the letter that corresponds to the best answer.
1. Which of the following is a volatile memory?
A. Hard Disk B. SSD C. ROM D. RAM
2. The shortcut key Ctrl + P is used to
A. Paste B. Print C. Preview D. Pause
3. Which language is primarily used for web page structuring?
A. HTTP B. URL C. HTML D. PHP
4. A kilobyte (KB) contains how many bytes?
A. 1024 B. 1000 C. 512 D. 2048
5. Which software would you use to create a presentation?
A. Excel B. PowerPoint C. Word D. Access
6. The part of the CPU that performs mathematical operations is called
A. Control Unit B. Memory C. ALU D. Register
7. Which file extension is used for Excel files by default in recent versions?
A. .xls B. .xlsx C. .docx D. .pptx
8. A computer virus is
A. A physical defect B. Malicious software C. A BIOS update D. A hardware problem
9. Which of these is not a web protocol?
A. FTP B. HTTP C. IP D. USB
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10. In Excel, the formula =SUM(A1:A5) will
A. Multiply A1 to A5 B. Add values in A1 through A5 C. Divide A1 by A5 D. Return average
of A1 to A5
11. Which of these devices is an output device?
A. Mouse B. Keyboard C. Monitor D. Scanner
12. Cloud storage allows users to
A. Store data locally B. Back up files on USB C. Access files from any device via the Internet
D. Encrypt software
13. Which of these is an example of a system software?
A. Antivirus B. MS Word C. Windows 10 D. Chrome
14. Which menu would you use to insert headers and footers in MS Word?
A. File B. Home C. Insert D. Design
15. The process of starting a computer is called
A. Booting B. Formatting C. Logging D. Posting
16. What does the acronym URL stand for?
A. Uniform Reference Locator B. Unified Resource Locator C. Uniform Resource Locator D.
Unique Reference Locator
17. The logic gate that outputs HIGH when at least one input is HIGH is
A. AND B. OR C. NOT D. NAND
18. Which of these provides wireless access to the Internet?
A. HDMI B. Router C. USB D. RAM
19. Which of the following is used to display the hierarchical structure of files and folders?
A. File Explorer B. Task Manager C. Control Panel D. Run Command
20. BIOS stands for
A. Basic Integrated Operating System B. Binary Input Output System C. Basic Input Output
System D. Binary Integrated Operating Structure
SECTION B: STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS (30 MARKS)
1. Define the following:
a) Cloud Computing
b) Firewall
c) Malware (6 marks)
2. Mention three types of computer memory and give one example of each. (3 marks)
3. Outline three functions of a spreadsheet program. (3 marks)
4. What are the three main components of a computer system? (3 marks)
5. Differentiate between hardware and software. Give two examples of each. (4 marks)
6. Define the term 'data processing cycle' and briefly describe its stages. (4 marks)
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7. What is a database? List two examples of database management systems (DBMS). (3
marks)
8. Convert the binary number 10101101.101 to decimal. (4 marks)
SECTION C: APPLICATION TYPE QUESTIONS (50 MARKS)
1. a) What is file management?
b) Explain any three file operations. (5 marks)
2. i) Define mail merge.
ii) Give three steps to perform a mail merge in Microsoft Word. (5 marks)
3. Describe how to:
a) Change line spacing in MS Word.
b) Insert a column chart in MS Excel. (5 marks)
4. A school records student scores in an Excel sheet as shown below:
|A|B |C |D |
|---|-------|---------|-------|
| 1 | Name | Score 1 | Score 2 |
| 2 | John | 45 | 50 |
| 3 | Mary | 65 | 70 |
| 4 | Peter | 75 | 80 |
| 5 | Jane | 85 | 90 |
Using your knowledge of Excel:
a) Write a formula to calculate the total score for John in cell E2. (2 marks)
b) Write a formula to find the average score for Mary. (2 marks)
c) Write a formula to determine the highest score in column B. (2 marks)
d) What function can be used to count the number of students with scores above 60 in Score
1? (2 marks)
e) How would you apply conditional formatting to highlight scores less than 50? (2 marks)
5. a) State the steps for setting up a basic wired LAN in an office environment. (5 marks)
b) Explain any two types of software licenses. (3 marks)
6. Explain with examples the difference between open-source and proprietary software. (4
marks)
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MARKING GUIDE
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (20 MARKS)
1. D. RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile memory, meaning that its contents are
lost when the power is turned off.
2. B. Print
The shortcut key Ctrl + P is used to initiate the print command.
3. C. HTML
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the primary language used for web page
structuring.
4. A. 1024
A kilobyte (KB) contains 1024 bytes.
5. B. PowerPoint
PowerPoint is used to create presentations.
6. C. ALU
The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is the part of the CPU that performs mathematical
and logical operations.
7. B. .xlsx
The default file extension for Excel files in recent versions is .xlsx.
8. B. Malicious software
A computer virus is a type of malicious software that can harm your computer
system.
9. D. USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a hardware interface, not a web protocol. FTP (File
Transfer Protocol), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and IP (Internet Protocol)
are web protocols.
10. B. Add values in A1 through A5
The formula =SUM(A1:A5) will add all values in the range from A1 to A5.
11. C. Monitor
A monitor is an output device used to display information from the computer.
12. C. Access files from any device via the Internet
Cloud storage allows users to store and access files from any device via the Internet.
13. C. Windows 10
Windows 10 is an example of system software, which helps manage hardware and
software resources.
14. C. Insert
The "Insert" menu is where you can insert headers and footers in MS Word.
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15. A. Booting
Booting is the process of starting a computer system.
16. C. Uniform Resource Locator
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is the address used to locate a
resource on the Internet.
17. B. OR
The OR logic gate outputs HIGH when at least one of its inputs is HIGH.
18. B. Router
A router is used to provide wireless access to the Internet.
19. A. File Explorer
File Explorer is used to display the hierarchical structure of files and folders in
Windows.
20. C. Basic Input Output System
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System, and it is firmware used to initialize
hardware during the boot process.
SECTION B: STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS (30 MARKS)
1. Define the following:
a) Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services like storage, processing
power, and software over the internet, enabling access from anywhere. Examples include
Google Drive and AWS (Amazon Web Services).
b) Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing
network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted
network and untrusted networks (e.g., the internet).
c) Malware
Malware is malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to
computer systems. Examples include viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
2. Mention three types of computer memory and give one example of each. (3
marks)
o Primary Memory (RAM) – Temporary storage that holds data and
instructions currently in use.
o Secondary Memory (Hard Disk Drive) – Permanent storage used to store
data and files.
o Cache Memory (L1 Cache) – A small, high-speed storage located within the
CPU for frequently accessed data.
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3. Outline three functions of a spreadsheet program. (3 marks)
o Data Entry and Organization – Users can input, organize, and manipulate
large amounts of data.
o Calculations and Formulas – Spreadsheets can perform complex
calculations and use formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, etc.
o Data Visualization – Spreadsheets allow for creating charts, graphs, and
pivot tables to represent data visually.
4. What are the three main components of a computer system? (3 marks)
o Hardware – The physical components of the computer like CPU, RAM, and
hard drive.
o Software – The programs or applications that run on the hardware, such as
operating systems and software applications.
o Peripheral Devices – External devices such as printers, mice, and monitors
connected to the computer.
5. Differentiate between hardware and software. Give two examples of each. (4
marks)
o Hardware: Physical devices of the computer system. Example: CPU,
keyboard.
o Software: Programs and applications that run on the hardware. Example:
Windows OS, Microsoft Word
6. Define the term 'data processing cycle' and briefly describe its stages. (4
marks)
o Data Processing Cycle refers to the series of steps involved in transforming
raw data into meaningful information.
o Stages:
1. Input – Collecting data.
2. Processing – Performing operations on the data (e.g., calculations).
3. Storage – Saving the processed data.
4. Output – Generating the final results.
5. Feedback – Reviewing and refining data.
7. What is a database? List two examples of database management systems
(DBMS). (3 marks)
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o Database: A database is an organized collection of data, typically stored
electronically.
o Examples of DBMS:
MySQL
Microsoft SQL Server
8. Convert the binary number 10101101.101 to decimal. (4 marks)
o Convert the integer part (10101101) to decimal:
1*(2^7) + 0*(2^6) + 1*(2^5) + 0*(2^4) + 1*(2^3) + 1*(2^2) + 0*(2^1) +
1*(2^0) = 173
o Convert the fractional part (101) to decimal:
1*(2^-1) + 0*(2^-2) + 1*(2^-3) = 0.625
o Final result: 173.625
SECTION C: APPLICATION TYPE QUESTIONS (50 MARKS)
1. a) What is file management?
File management refers to the process of organizing, storing, and retrieving files in a
computer system. It involves creating, renaming, moving, deleting, and protecting files.
b) Explain any three file operations. (5 marks)
o Create: Creating new files or directories.
o Rename: Changing the name of an existing file.
o Delete: Removing a file from the system.
2. i) Define mail merge.
Mail merge is a feature used in word processing programs like MS Word to generate
personalized letters or documents by combining a standard template with a data
source (such as names and addresses).
ii) Give three steps to perform a mail merge in Microsoft Word. (5 marks)
1. Select the template: Open a new document and choose the Mail Merge
option.
2. Connect the data source: Link the document to an Excel file or database
that contains the information.
3. Insert merge fields: Place placeholders for data from the source into the
template.
3. Describe how to:
a) Change line spacing in MS Word.
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o Highlight the text, go to the "Home" tab, click on the "Line and Paragraph
Spacing" icon, and select the desired spacing (e.g., 1.5 or Double).
b) Insert a column chart in MS Excel.
o Select the data, go to the "Insert" tab, click on "Column Chart," and choose
the desired column chart style.
4. Excel Questions:
a) Write a formula to calculate the total score for John in cell E2.
Formula: =B2+C2
(This adds the values in columns B and C for John.)
b) Write a formula to find the average score for Mary.
Formula: =AVERAGE(B3:C3)
(This calculates the average of Mary's scores in columns B and C.)
c) Write a formula to determine the highest score in column B.
Formula: =MAX(B2:B5)
(This finds the highest value in column B.)
d) What function can be used to count the number of students with scores above 60 in
Score 1?
Formula: =COUNTIF(B2:B5, ">60")
(This counts how many scores in column B are greater than 60.)
e) How would you apply conditional formatting to highlight scores less than 50?
o Select the range (B2:B5), go to "Home" tab, click "Conditional Formatting,"
choose "Highlight Cells Rules," select "Less Than," and enter "50."
5. a) State the steps for setting up a basic wired LAN in an office environment. (5
marks)
1. Plan the network layout: Decide on the number of computers and where
they will be placed.
2. Install network cables: Run Ethernet cables to connect each workstation to
a central switch or router.
3. Configure IP addresses: Assign static or dynamic IP addresses to each
device.
4. Connect to the router or switch: Ensure all devices are connected to the
router or switch.
5. Test the network: Ensure all devices can communicate with each other and
the internet.
6. Explain with examples the difference between open-source and proprietary
software. (4 marks)
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o Open-source software: Software that is freely available and can be
modified by anyone. Example: Linux.
o Proprietary software: Software that is owned by a company and is not
freely available for modification. Example: Microsoft Windows.
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