FORM THREE COMPUTER STUDIES STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Based on the Kenya Secondary School Syllabus — Balanced coverage of
Form 1, 2 and 3, with focus on System Development and Information
Systems
1. Data Representation
1. Define the following data size units and give their approximate
relationships:
o Bit
o Byte
o Word
o Nibble
(Include typical sizes in bits and use in computing) (4 marks)
2. Convert the following numbers as instructed:
(a) 11001₂ to decimal
(b)59₁₀ to binary
(c) 1011₂ to hexadecimal
(d)7B₁₆ to binary (8 marks)
3. Perform the following binary operations, showing all steps:
(a) 10101₂ + 11011₂
(b)11100₂ - 10011₂
(c) Multiply 101₂ × 11₂ (9 marks)
4. Convert the following and explain each process:
(a) 64₁₀ to hexadecimal
(b)11110000₂ to decimal
(c) 2F₁₆ to binary
(Include intermediate steps) (6 marks)
5. Explain why computers use binary instead of decimal or other
numbering systems, referring to hardware logic design. (3 marks)
6. Define the following character representation standards and state their
differences:
o ASCII
o Unicode (Include size, range, and application) (4 marks)
7. Differentiate between 1’s complement and 2’s complement. Then
represent –5 in:
(a) 1’s complement (8-bit)
(b)2’s complement (8-bit)
(Show original positive binary, inverted bits, and final result) (6
marks)
8. Outline any four advantages of using hexadecimal representation in
computing. (4 marks)
9. The binary number 10111100₂ represents a signed number in 2’s
complement. Determine:
(a) Whether it is positive or negative
(b)Its decimal value (4 marks)
10. A student claims that octal is rarely used in modern computing.
Evaluate this claim by discussing one historical and one modern
application of octal. (4 marks)
2. Data Processing
7. Define:
o Data
o Information
o Data processing (3 marks)
8. Explain four characteristics of quality information. (4 marks)
9. Discuss the stages involved in the data processing cycle and give an
example for each. (6 marks)
10. Explain three differences between manual and electronic data
processing. (3 marks)
11. List and describe four modes of data processing used in
computers. (4 marks)
12. With relevant examples, explain four types of computer files
used in organizations. (8 marks)
13. Describe the four common file organization methods and give
one advantage and one disadvantage for each. (8 marks)
3. Programming Principles
14. Define the term programming and explain the three main levels
of programming languages. (5 marks)
15. Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter. (3 marks)
16. Explain the five major stages of program development life cycle.
(10 marks)
17. Describe any three types of program control structures with
examples. (6 marks)
18. Write a pseudocode and draw a flowchart to calculate the
average of three numbers. (6 marks)
19. State three reasons why high-level programming languages are
preferred over low-level ones. (3 marks)
4. System Development (Information Systems)
20. Define:
System
Information System
System Development (3 marks)
21. Differentiate between open and closed systems. (3 marks)
22. Explain four functions of an information system in a school. (4
marks)
23. List and describe the seven main stages of system development.
(7 marks)
24. Discuss four fact-finding methods used during system
development. Include one advantage and one disadvantage for each.
(8 marks)
25. Explain any five characteristics of a good information system. (5
marks)
26. Using a school library as a case study, describe:
The problem recognition stage
The system design stage
The implementation stage (6 marks)
27. Describe three key components of a system documentation. (3
marks)
5. Review Topics from Form 1 and 2
28. Describe the differences between impact and non-impact
printers, giving two examples of each. (4 marks)
29. List five safety precautions specific to electricity when using
computer systems. (5 marks)
30. Explain three functions of utility software. (3 marks)
31. Outline four advantages of using Desktop Publishing (DTP)
software to design a school newsletter. (4 marks)
32. Compare the following:
Text formatting vs paragraph formatting
File vs folder
Save vs Save As (6 marks)
