WGU D684 Introduction to Computer
Science OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
BANK AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
BRAND NEW VERSION
1. Array - ANSWER a collection of items stored at contiguous memory
locations; each item can be accessed using an index
2. Binary Search - ANSWER a search algorithm that finds the position of a
target value within a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval
in half
3. Bubble Sort - ANSWER a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps
through a list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the
wrong order
4. Concrete Step - ANSWER a detailed action in an algorithm that specifies
exactly how to perform a task
5. Count-controlled loop - ANSWER a loop that repeats a specific number
of times; controlled by a counter variable (e.g., "for" loop)
6. Desk checking - ANSWER a manual method of reviewing the logic of a
program or algorithm using a pencil and paper instead of a computer
7. Event-controlled loop - ANSWER a loop that continues to execute until a
specific condition or event occurs, such as user input or a sensor reading
8. Heterogeneous - ANSWER a term describing a collection of items that are
of different types
9. Homogenous - ANSWER a term describing a collection of items that are
all of the same type
10. Index - ANSWER a numerical representation of an element's position
within an array or list
11. How are items added to and removed from a stack?
A. All items can be added to or removed from any location.
B. All items can be accessed or changed but not easily inserted or
removed.
C. The item removed is the one that has been in the shortest time.
D. The first item to be added becomes the first item removed. -
ANSWER C. The item removed is the one that has been in the
shortest time.
12. The collection of customers for a small business is stored in such a way that
a customer can be easily accessed, deleted, or added.
What is the data structure called for in this programming situation?
A. Queue
B. Record
C. Stack
D. List - ANSWER D. List
13. Which coding construct allows a choice between performing an action and
skipping it?
A. Input/output
B. Assignment
C. Selection
D. Iteration - ANSWER C. Selection
14. Which term describes the algorithm used in this scenario? - ANSWER
Linear
15. Consider the following code.
IF (myNum 0)
Print "Here"
ELSE
Print "There"
16. What does the code do? - ANSWER It prints "There" if the value of
myNum is less than or equal to 0 and "Here" otherwise.
17. Sample code is shown.
Set counter to 0
Set product to 1
while (counter 15)
Read num
Set product to product * num
Set counter to counter + 1
Print product
18. What does the code do? - ANSWER The user inputs 15 values, and the
product of those values is printed.
19. Which pseudocode example is one way to convert the integer a to a floating
point number? - ANSWER myFloat x = a / 1.0
20. Which term refers to the state of a process when it is being created? -
ANSWER New
21. What is the name of the CPU scheduling method in which a running process
is not interrupted and is allowed to finish before another process starts? -
ANSWER Nonpreemptive
22. A programming company has been hired to write code that will send secure
messages from one device to another. The company policy is to follow the
software development lifecycle (SDLC) model for production. Which step
will the team expect to go through during the course of this process? -
ANSWER Test the program. Rationale: The SDLC model has seven
structured steps: understand the problem, plan the logic, code the program,
use software to translate the program into machine language, test the
program, put the program into production, and maintain the program.
23. A programmer has been asked to lead a project that uses artificial
intelligence to search for patterns in Wi-Fi signals to improve efficiency and
range. The programmer will use the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
as a model for design and implementation. Which step is the programmer in
when outlining the steps that the program will go through? - ANSWER
Plan the logic. Rationale: 2nd step of the SDLC, in this step, the programmer
develops all necessary algorithms often using either flowcharts or
pseudocode.
24. A computer scientist is writing a computer application that will manage
financial records for small businesses. The computer scientist is following
the software development lifecycle (SDLC) model and just completed the
step, "understand the problem." Which step is next in the SDLC? -
ANSWER Plan the logic.
25. What does a technology company need to commit to if adopting the
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics? - ANSWER
Perform work only in areas of competence.
26. Which situation represents a violation of the Codes of Ethics for both the
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)? - ANSWER One of the division heads
assigns work to employees that is outside of their area of competence.
27. What is one situation that illustrates extortion? - ANSWER A person
hacks into a university's servers, locks them down, and will only unlock
them for a large ransom.
28. Field - ANSWER Variable inside a class (state/data)
29. Inheritance - ANSWER One class derives behavior/state from another
30. Methods - ANSWER Functions inside a class
31. Argument - ANSWER Actual value passed into a method
32. Parameter - ANSWER Variable in method definition accepting argument
(ingriedent1 in blender)
33. reference parameter - ANSWER function is working with original
variable, not just a copy
34. value parameter - ANSWER function gets copy of input, not original
variable
35. composite variable - ANSWER variable that holds multiple pieces of data,
usually under a single name
36. Array - ANSWER collection of items stored on a contiguous memory
block, with each item identified by an index number
37. record - ANSWER heterogeneous group of items that can be different
data types, under one name
38. abstract data type - ANSWER template/blueprint for how to organize and
use data—lists are these, data is not, also called containers cause they hold
data
39. stack - ANSWER way of organizing data where the last thing you put in
is the first thing you take out (LIFO); you can only add/remove things from
one end known as the top (ex: like a stack of plates, pop/push)
40. queue - ANSWER data structure that follows a firstin, firstout (FIFO)
order where elements are added to the back and removed from the front (like
grocery line)
41. list - ANSWER items in a linear sequence, allowing easy access, and the
insertion and deletion of elements
42. three properties of a list - ANSWER items are homogeneous, items are
linear, and lists have varying lengths
43. linked list - ANSWER a collection of elements, each containing a
reference to the next element; consists of nodes
44. topdown design - ANSWER method of solving a problem by breaking it
down into smaller steps or tasks; build up to solution step by step
45. objectoriented design - ANSWER produces a solution based on all the
selfcontained "objects", which are composed of data or operations that
manipulate the data (instead of just steps)
46. Advantage of OOP - ANSWER allows you to reuse code using classes
and inheritance; build new features by modifying existing objects, saving
time and reducing errors
47. Class - ANSWER blueprint for creating objects; defines properties and
behaviors the objects will have—all the objects within a class will have
related properties
48. Object - ANSWER contains data and methods defined by a class,
represents a specific entity in a program
49. Instance of a class - ANSWER means a real, usable object created from a
class; class is like a template, and the instance is the actual thing made from
it
50. Invoking object's subprogram - ANSWER Objects communicate with one
another by sending messages
51. compiler - ANSWER a tool that translates source code written in
highlevel programming language into machine code or byte code that the
computer can execute
52. Examples of compiled languages - ANSWER C, C++, Rust, Go, Fortran
53. interpreter - ANSWER tool that executes source code directly and
translates it into machine code in real time rather than compiling it before;
slower than compiler
54. Imperative paradigm - ANSWER style of programming where you write
stepbystep instructions in sequential order for the computer to solve a
problem
55. Examples of languages that support imperative paradigm - ANSWER
FORTRAN, BASIC, C, C++, Pascal
56. Procedural paradigm - ANSWER style of programming where the
program is broken up into smaller functions, each doing a specific task;
grouping related instructions together
57. Examples of languages that support Procedural Paradigm - ANSWER
FORTRAN, BASIC, C, Pascal (same as imperative but no C++)
58. Examples of languages that use objectoriented paradigm - ANSWER
SIMULA, Smalltalk, Java, Python, C++ (kind of), C#
59. declarative paradigm - ANSWER style of programming where you
describe what the program should accomplish, rather than giving steps on
how to do it
60. declarative paradigm, functional - ANSWER based on mathematical
functions, these programs are built by calling functions to compute results;
no variables/assignment statements
61. Examples of languages that support Declarative Paradigm— Functional
Model - ANSWER Lisp, Scheme, ML
62. declarative paradigm, logic - ANSWER based on facts and rules, so
instead of writing instructions, you define relationships and ask questions
about them; computer uses logic to figure out answers
63. Examples of languages that support the Declarative Paradigm— Logic
Model - ANSWER Prolog
64. Main difference between declarative paradigm—functional vs logic -
ANSWER Logic excels in situations requiring inference and reasoning
over a set of facts, and functional is good when you need unchanging data
65. What are the four steps of George Pólya's problemsolving method -
ANSWER Understanding the problem, devising a plan, executing the
plan, reviewing the solution (UDER)
66. What are the seven steps of the SDLC cycle - ANSWER Understand the
problem, plan the logic, code the problem, use a compiler or interpreter, test
the program, put into production, maintain the program (Mnemonic: Ugly
Purple Cats Use Tiny Pink Mittens)
67. What are the 4 Stages of the Computer Problem Solving Process -
ANSWER Analysis and Specification Phase, Algorithm Development
Phase, Implementation Phase, Maintenance Phase
68. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - ANSWER
represents the hardware side, focused on electrical, electronics, and
computing engineering
69. ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) - ANSWER represents the
software side
70. Selection - ANSWER allow algorithms to make decisions based on
data/conditions, and then respond to different situations and choose between
multiple options based on conditions, which is a fundamental part of solving
problems
71. Searching Algorithm— Sequential Search - ANSWER checks each
element in a list one by one from start to end until it finds the target or
reaches the end (aka linear search)—works on any list: sorted/unsorted but
slower for large lists
72. Searching Algorithm— Binary Search - ANSWER repeatedly divides a
sorted list in half to find the target value, stops once found—only works on
sorted lists but must faster with large lists
73. Sorting Algorithm— Selection Sort - ANSWER simple sorting algorithm
that repeatedly finds the minimum element from the unsorted part of a list
and moves it to the beginning—simple but slow for large lists
Content preview
WGU D684 Introduction to Computer
Science OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
BANK AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<BRAND NEW VERSION>
1. Array - ANSWER ✓ a collection of items stored at contiguous memory
locations; each item can be accessed using an index
2. Binary Search - ANSWER ✓ a search algorithm that finds the position of a
target value within a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval
in half
3. Bubble Sort - ANSWER ✓ a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps
through a list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the
wrong order
4. Concrete Step - ANSWER ✓ a detailed action in an algorithm that specifies
exactly how to perform a task
5. Count-controlled loop - ANSWER ✓ a loop that repeats a specific number
of times; controlled by a counter variable (e.g., "for" loop)
6. Desk checking - ANSWER ✓ a manual method of reviewing the logic of a
program or algorithm using a pencil and paper instead of a computer
7. Event-controlled loop - ANSWER ✓ a loop that continues to execute until a
specific condition or event occurs, such as user input or a sensor reading
,8. Heterogeneous - ANSWER ✓ a term describing a collection of items that are
of different types
9. Homogenous - ANSWER ✓ a term describing a collection of items that are
all of the same type
10.Index - ANSWER ✓ a numerical representation of an element's position
within an array or list
11.How are items added to and removed from a stack?
A. All items can be added to or removed from any location.
B. All items can be accessed or changed but not easily inserted or
removed.
C. The item removed is the one that has been in the shortest time.
D. The first item to be added becomes the first item removed. -
ANSWER ✓ C. The item removed is the one that has been in the
shortest time.
12.The collection of customers for a small business is stored in such a way that
a customer can be easily accessed, deleted, or added.
What is the data structure called for in this programming situation?
A. Queue
B. Record
C. Stack
D. List - ANSWER ✓ D. List
13.Which coding construct allows a choice between performing an action and
skipping it?
A. Input/output
B. Assignment
C. Selection
D. Iteration - ANSWER ✓ C. Selection
14.Which term describes the algorithm used in this scenario? - ANSWER ✓
Linear
,15.Consider the following code.
IF (myNum > 0)
Print "Here"
ELSE
Print "There"
16.What does the code do? - ANSWER ✓ It prints "There" if the value of
myNum is less than or equal to 0 and "Here" otherwise.
17.Sample code is shown.
Set counter to 0
Set product to 1
while (counter < 15)
Read num
Set product to product * num
Set counter to counter + 1
Print product
18.What does the code do? - ANSWER ✓ The user inputs 15 values, and the
product of those values is printed.
19.Which pseudocode example is one way to convert the integer a to a floating
point number? - ANSWER ✓ myFloat x = a / 1.0
20.Which term refers to the state of a process when it is being created? -
ANSWER ✓ New
21.What is the name of the CPU scheduling method in which a running process
is not interrupted and is allowed to finish before another process starts? -
ANSWER ✓ Nonpreemptive
22.A programming company has been hired to write code that will send secure
messages from one device to another. The company policy is to follow the
software development lifecycle (SDLC) model for production. Which step
will the team expect to go through during the course of this process? -
ANSWER ✓ Test the program. Rationale: The SDLC model has seven
structured steps: understand the problem, plan the logic, code the program,
, use software to translate the program into machine language, test the
program, put the program into production, and maintain the program.
23.A programmer has been asked to lead a project that uses artificial
intelligence to search for patterns in Wi-Fi signals to improve efficiency and
range. The programmer will use the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
as a model for design and implementation. Which step is the programmer in
when outlining the steps that the program will go through? - ANSWER ✓
Plan the logic. Rationale: 2nd step of the SDLC, in this step, the programmer
develops all necessary algorithms often using either flowcharts or
pseudocode.
24.A computer scientist is writing a computer application that will manage
financial records for small businesses. The computer scientist is following
the software development lifecycle (SDLC) model and just completed the
step, "understand the problem." Which step is next in the SDLC? -
ANSWER ✓ Plan the logic.
25.What does a technology company need to commit to if adopting the
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics? - ANSWER
✓ Perform work only in areas of competence.
26.Which situation represents a violation of the Codes of Ethics for both the
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)? - ANSWER ✓ One of the division heads
assigns work to employees that is outside of their area of competence.
27.What is one situation that illustrates extortion? - ANSWER ✓ A person
hacks into a university's servers, locks them down, and will only unlock
them for a large ransom.
28.Field - ANSWER ✓ Variable inside a class (state/data)
29.Inheritance - ANSWER ✓ One class derives behavior/state from another
30.Methods - ANSWER ✓ Functions inside a class
31.Argument - ANSWER ✓ Actual value passed into a method