WGU D386 Hardware and
Operating Systems Essentials – PA |
2026–2027.
The questions are designed to cover the core objectives of the course, including
hardware components, operating system fundamentals, installation, configuration,
networking, security, and troubleshooting. The correct answers are randomized to
avoid patterns.
1. Which component is responsible for executing instructions and performing
calculations in a computer?
A. RAM
B. Hard Drive
C. CPU ✅
D. GPU
2. What is the primary function of a motherboard?
A. Store permanent data
B. Connect and allow communication between all hardware components ✅
C. Provide power to the system
D. Render graphics
3. Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed?
A. ROM
,B. Flash
C. RAM ✅
D. SSD
4. What does the acronym BIOS stand for?
A. Basic Input Output System ✅
B. Binary Integrated Operating Setup
C. Basic Internal Operating Software
D. Boot Input Output Service
5. Which expansion slot is most commonly used for high-end graphics cards
today?
A. PCI
B. AGP
C. PCIe ✅
D. ISA
6. What is the purpose of a heat sink in a computer?
A. Increase CPU speed
B. Dissipate heat generated by components ✅
C. Provide additional power
D. Store temporary data
7. Which storage type has no moving parts and is faster than a traditional hard
drive?
A. HDD
B. SSD ✅
C. Optical Drive
D. Tape Drive
8. What does UEFI replace in modern computers?
A. RAM
B. BIOS ✅
,C. CPU
D. PSU
9. Which unit is used to measure CPU clock speed?
A. Hertz ✅
B. Bytes
C. Watts
D. Volts
10. What is the role of the power supply unit (PSU)?
A. Convert AC power to DC power for components ✅
B. Store data permanently
C. Process graphics
D. Manage network connections
11. Which of the following is an example of an operating system?
A. Microsoft Word
B. Google Chrome
C. Linux ✅
D. Adobe Photoshop
12. What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
A. Manage hardware and software resources ✅
B. Create spreadsheets
C. Edit videos
D. Browse the internet
13. Which scheduling algorithm assigns CPU time based on priority?
A. First-Come, First-Served
B. Priority Scheduling ✅
C. Round Robin
D. Shortest Job First
, 14. What is a process in an operating system?
A. A program in execution ✅
B. A file stored on disk
C. A hardware device
D. A network protocol
15. Which memory management technique allows a process to be executed even if
it is not entirely in memory?
A. Paging
B. Virtual memory ✅
C. Segmentation
D. Fragmentation
16. What is the function of the kernel in an operating system?
A. Provide a user interface
B. Manage core system resources ✅
C. Run web applications
D. Compile source code
17. Which type of user interface uses icons and windows?
A. Command-line interface
B. Graphical user interface ✅
C. Text-based interface
D. Batch interface
18. What is a device driver?
A. A program that controls a specific hardware device ✅
B. A physical port on the motherboard
C. A type of virus
D. A network cable
19. Which file system is commonly used by Windows?
A. ext4
Operating Systems Essentials – PA |
2026–2027.
The questions are designed to cover the core objectives of the course, including
hardware components, operating system fundamentals, installation, configuration,
networking, security, and troubleshooting. The correct answers are randomized to
avoid patterns.
1. Which component is responsible for executing instructions and performing
calculations in a computer?
A. RAM
B. Hard Drive
C. CPU ✅
D. GPU
2. What is the primary function of a motherboard?
A. Store permanent data
B. Connect and allow communication between all hardware components ✅
C. Provide power to the system
D. Render graphics
3. Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed?
A. ROM
,B. Flash
C. RAM ✅
D. SSD
4. What does the acronym BIOS stand for?
A. Basic Input Output System ✅
B. Binary Integrated Operating Setup
C. Basic Internal Operating Software
D. Boot Input Output Service
5. Which expansion slot is most commonly used for high-end graphics cards
today?
A. PCI
B. AGP
C. PCIe ✅
D. ISA
6. What is the purpose of a heat sink in a computer?
A. Increase CPU speed
B. Dissipate heat generated by components ✅
C. Provide additional power
D. Store temporary data
7. Which storage type has no moving parts and is faster than a traditional hard
drive?
A. HDD
B. SSD ✅
C. Optical Drive
D. Tape Drive
8. What does UEFI replace in modern computers?
A. RAM
B. BIOS ✅
,C. CPU
D. PSU
9. Which unit is used to measure CPU clock speed?
A. Hertz ✅
B. Bytes
C. Watts
D. Volts
10. What is the role of the power supply unit (PSU)?
A. Convert AC power to DC power for components ✅
B. Store data permanently
C. Process graphics
D. Manage network connections
11. Which of the following is an example of an operating system?
A. Microsoft Word
B. Google Chrome
C. Linux ✅
D. Adobe Photoshop
12. What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
A. Manage hardware and software resources ✅
B. Create spreadsheets
C. Edit videos
D. Browse the internet
13. Which scheduling algorithm assigns CPU time based on priority?
A. First-Come, First-Served
B. Priority Scheduling ✅
C. Round Robin
D. Shortest Job First
, 14. What is a process in an operating system?
A. A program in execution ✅
B. A file stored on disk
C. A hardware device
D. A network protocol
15. Which memory management technique allows a process to be executed even if
it is not entirely in memory?
A. Paging
B. Virtual memory ✅
C. Segmentation
D. Fragmentation
16. What is the function of the kernel in an operating system?
A. Provide a user interface
B. Manage core system resources ✅
C. Run web applications
D. Compile source code
17. Which type of user interface uses icons and windows?
A. Command-line interface
B. Graphical user interface ✅
C. Text-based interface
D. Batch interface
18. What is a device driver?
A. A program that controls a specific hardware device ✅
B. A physical port on the motherboard
C. A type of virus
D. A network cable
19. Which file system is commonly used by Windows?
A. ext4
