FPSC Basic Computer MCQs: Practice Questions With Answers

Sample FPSC Basic Computer MCQs — a 1,600+ question subject in HighYield's FPSC bank that has no dedicated practice post yet — covering software, networking basics, and computer history, with answers explained.

Basic Computer Is a Bigger Share of FPSC Than Most Candidates Realise

Basic Computer is one of the largest subjects in HighYield's FPSC question bank, but almost every FPSC study guide online skips straight past it to focus on General Knowledge and Pakistan Studies. Below is a sample set grouped by theme, deliberately different in focus from hardware basics — software, networking, and computing history — with each answer explained.

Software & Operating Systems

1. System software that manages hardware and runs all other programs is called the:
A) Application software B) Operating system ✅ C) Utility software D) Firmware
Explanation: The operating system manages hardware resources and provides the platform on which application software runs.

2. A word processor, spreadsheet program, and web browser are all examples of:
A) Operating systems B) Application software ✅ C) Hardware D) Firmware
Explanation: These are application software — programs designed for specific user tasks, as opposed to system software that runs the computer itself.

Networking & the Internet

3. A network confined to a single building or campus is called a:
A) WAN B) LAN ✅ C) MAN D) PAN
Explanation: A Local Area Network (LAN) covers a small geographic area such as one office or building; a WAN spans much larger distances.

4. The World Wide Web is generally credited to which computer scientist?
A) Bill Gates B) Steve Jobs C) Tim Berners-Lee ✅ D) Alan Turing
Explanation: Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist at CERN, is credited with inventing the World Wide Web in 1989.

Computing History & Fundamentals

5. Which scientist is widely regarded as the "father of the computer" for his design of the Analytical Engine?
A) Alan Turing B) Charles Babbage ✅ C) John von Neumann D) Blaise Pascal
Explanation: Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine in the 19th century, a mechanical general-purpose computer concept that earned him this title.

6. Which of the following is volatile memory that loses its data when power is switched off?
A) ROM B) Hard Disk C) RAM ✅ D) Flash drive
Explanation: RAM is volatile memory; ROM, hard disks, and flash storage all retain data without continuous power.

Keep Practicing

These are just a sample. For the full set of FPSC Basic Computer questions alongside every other subject tested — including General Knowledge — see HighYield's complete FPSC question bank.