Strayer University CIS 109 Midterm Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Intro to
MIS Q&A | Information Systems
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of an
information system?
A) To store data permanently without the need for processing
B) To collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision-
making and control
C) To replace human workers with automated machines
D) To provide entertainment and social networking capabilities
Correct Answer: To collect, process, store, and distribute information to
support decision-making and control
Rationale: An information system (IS) is a set of interrelated components that
collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision-making,
coordination, and control in an organization. It goes beyond simply storing
data to actively processing and distributing information for business
purposes.
2. What is the difference between data and information?
A) Data and information are the same thing
B) Data is raw facts; information is data that has been processed and
organized to be meaningful
C) Data is processed; information is unprocessed
D) Data is always numeric; information is always text
Correct Answer: Data is raw facts; information is data that has been
processed and organized to be meaningful
,Rationale: Data consists of raw, unprocessed facts and figures, while
information is data that has been processed, organized, and structured to
provide meaning and context. Information is useful for decision-making,
whereas raw data alone is not.
3. Information technology (IT) is best defined as:
A) The study of computers and computing concepts
B) The discipline dedicated to meeting the computer needs of businesses,
schools, governments, and other organizations
C) The creation of software programs for personal use
D) The repair and maintenance of computer hardware
Correct Answer: The discipline dedicated to meeting the computer needs of
businesses, schools, governments, and other organizations
Rationale: Information Technology is a discipline that is dedicated to meeting
the computer needs of businesses, schools, governments, and other
organizations. It encompasses the use of computers, software, and networks
to manage and process information for organizational purposes.
4. Which of the following is NOT a component of an information system?
A) Hardware
B) Software
C) People
D) Marketing
Correct Answer: Marketing
,Rationale: An information system consists of five key components: hardware,
software, data, people, and processes/communication technologies.
Marketing is a business function, not a component of an information system.
5. Computer science primarily deals with:
A) Managing business information systems
B) Creating software and using computers to solve problems
C) Installing and maintaining computer networks
D) Designing computer hardware components
Correct Answer: Creating software and using computers to solve problems
Rationale: Computer science is the study of computers and computing
concepts. In practice, computer science deals with creating software and
using computers to solve problems. It focuses on the theoretical and
practical aspects of computation.
6. A computer system that can be equipped with peripheral devices such as
a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers is called a:
A) Desktop system
B) Server
C) Mainframe
D) Smartphone
Correct Answer: Desktop system
Rationale: A desktop computer is a popular type of computer system that
can be equipped with peripheral devices such as a monitor, keyboard,
mouse, and speakers. Desktop systems have input and output devices
located outside the system unit.
, 7. Which of the following is an example of system software?
A) Microsoft Word
B) Operating system
C) Adobe Photoshop
D) Google Chrome
Correct Answer: Operating system
Rationale: System software includes the operating system, utility programs,
and device drivers that manage computer resources and provide a platform
for application software. Application software like word processors, photo
editors, and web browsers are not system software.
8. The binary system consists of only:
A) 0 and 1
B) 1 and 2
C) 0, 1, and 2
D) 1 through 9
Correct Answer: 0 and 1
Rationale: The binary system consists of only two digits—0 and 1. Computers
use binary because electronic circuits can easily represent two states: on (1)
and off (0).
9. A 32-bit-word computer can access ________ at a time.
A) 2 bytes
MIS Q&A | Information Systems
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of an
information system?
A) To store data permanently without the need for processing
B) To collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision-
making and control
C) To replace human workers with automated machines
D) To provide entertainment and social networking capabilities
Correct Answer: To collect, process, store, and distribute information to
support decision-making and control
Rationale: An information system (IS) is a set of interrelated components that
collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision-making,
coordination, and control in an organization. It goes beyond simply storing
data to actively processing and distributing information for business
purposes.
2. What is the difference between data and information?
A) Data and information are the same thing
B) Data is raw facts; information is data that has been processed and
organized to be meaningful
C) Data is processed; information is unprocessed
D) Data is always numeric; information is always text
Correct Answer: Data is raw facts; information is data that has been
processed and organized to be meaningful
,Rationale: Data consists of raw, unprocessed facts and figures, while
information is data that has been processed, organized, and structured to
provide meaning and context. Information is useful for decision-making,
whereas raw data alone is not.
3. Information technology (IT) is best defined as:
A) The study of computers and computing concepts
B) The discipline dedicated to meeting the computer needs of businesses,
schools, governments, and other organizations
C) The creation of software programs for personal use
D) The repair and maintenance of computer hardware
Correct Answer: The discipline dedicated to meeting the computer needs of
businesses, schools, governments, and other organizations
Rationale: Information Technology is a discipline that is dedicated to meeting
the computer needs of businesses, schools, governments, and other
organizations. It encompasses the use of computers, software, and networks
to manage and process information for organizational purposes.
4. Which of the following is NOT a component of an information system?
A) Hardware
B) Software
C) People
D) Marketing
Correct Answer: Marketing
,Rationale: An information system consists of five key components: hardware,
software, data, people, and processes/communication technologies.
Marketing is a business function, not a component of an information system.
5. Computer science primarily deals with:
A) Managing business information systems
B) Creating software and using computers to solve problems
C) Installing and maintaining computer networks
D) Designing computer hardware components
Correct Answer: Creating software and using computers to solve problems
Rationale: Computer science is the study of computers and computing
concepts. In practice, computer science deals with creating software and
using computers to solve problems. It focuses on the theoretical and
practical aspects of computation.
6. A computer system that can be equipped with peripheral devices such as
a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers is called a:
A) Desktop system
B) Server
C) Mainframe
D) Smartphone
Correct Answer: Desktop system
Rationale: A desktop computer is a popular type of computer system that
can be equipped with peripheral devices such as a monitor, keyboard,
mouse, and speakers. Desktop systems have input and output devices
located outside the system unit.
, 7. Which of the following is an example of system software?
A) Microsoft Word
B) Operating system
C) Adobe Photoshop
D) Google Chrome
Correct Answer: Operating system
Rationale: System software includes the operating system, utility programs,
and device drivers that manage computer resources and provide a platform
for application software. Application software like word processors, photo
editors, and web browsers are not system software.
8. The binary system consists of only:
A) 0 and 1
B) 1 and 2
C) 0, 1, and 2
D) 1 through 9
Correct Answer: 0 and 1
Rationale: The binary system consists of only two digits—0 and 1. Computers
use binary because electronic circuits can easily represent two states: on (1)
and off (0).
9. A 32-bit-word computer can access ________ at a time.
A) 2 bytes
