IGCSE ICT – Complete Study Guide and Practice
Questions for Exam Preparation
1. Hardware The physical components of a computer system.
2. Internal Hard- Processor (CPU)
ware Devices Motherboard
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Video and Sound Card
Internal Hard Disk Drive
3. Motherboard Central component of any computer system through which every other compo-
nent communicates. Components are plugged into it directly or indirectly.
4. Processor (CPU) The brain of the computer. It controls everything that the computer does and
processes the data, moving it in and out of the memory.
5. Random Access It stores the information currently in use, which is constantly changing.
Memory (RAM) A fast, volatile memory since when the computer is turned o� the data is lost. The
more RAM you have the faster your computer works.
6. Read Only Mem- Used to store instructions for the computer to work. The information cant be
ory (ROM) changed and when the computer is turned o�, it wont be lost. The data can be
accessed very fast.
7. Video Card Allows images to be displayed on the monitor. Along with its installation, software
is installed so it tells the computer how to use it.
8. Sound Card Allows the computer to produce and input sounds to and from the computer by
turning analogue data into digital and vice versa.
9. Internal Hard Stores data that is not instantly needed for an inde nite time. It also stores
Disk Drive programmes and is used commonly to back up data.
10. External Hard-
ware
, Inputs
Outputs
Peripherals
11. Input Devices Used to get data into the computer system.
They are manual or automatic.
12. Output Devices Used to transfer data out of the computer system. They are temporary or perma-
nent.
13. Peripheral De- Non-essential hardware that connect to the computer externally.
vices
14. Software Programmes used for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of
electronic data.
(Applications S. and System S)
15. Applications Soft- Software used in particular situations, which can be used either in general pur-
ware pose or in one particular situation.
i.e. Word processing, spreadsheet, data manipulation...
16. Systems Soft- Files and programmes that make up a computer.
ware i.e. Compilers, linkers, device drivers...
17. Secondary/Back- Storage devices and media that are not constantly accessible by a computer
ing Storage system.
18. Operating Sys- Software program that manages computer resources. They allow components to
tem communicate with each other and enable the computer to run software applica-
tions.
They are CLI and GUI.
19. Command Line The user types in instructions and commands.
Interface (CLI) It is fast but complicated to use.
, It uses very little RAM.
Used in batch processing.
20. Advantages of 1. User communicates directly with the computer.
CLI 2. There's a wide range of commands.
3. Needs very little computer power.
21. Disadvantages of 1. User must remember complex commands.
CLI 2. Lots of typing involved.
3. High chance of errors.
22. Graphical User The user points at and clicks objects on a screen with a mouse.
Interface (GUI) It is easy to use but needs a large amount of RAM and disk space.
It uses Windows, Icons, Menus,and Pointers (WIMP)
23. Advantages of 1. Quick and easy to enter commands.
GUI 2. Less chance of errors.
24. Disadvantages of 1. Smaller range of commands can be used.
GUI 2. Uses more computer power.
25. Types of Comput- 1. Personal Computers
ers 2. Laptops
3. Tablet Computer
4. Smart Phones
26. Personal Com- Found in schools, at home or o ces.
puters They are made of input, output and storage devices grouped in a base unit.
27. Standalone PC They are used by one at a time and can function without being connected to other
PCs.
28. Networked PC They are connected to other computers in a network in order to share resources
and data.
, 29. Laptops Portable computers with LCD screens that are small enough to sit on your lap.
They can be used as standalone and be taken to di�erent places thanks to the
built in battery or as networked with the same purpose as Networked PCs.
30. Advantages of 1. Better components for the same price.
PCs compared to 2. Cheaper because components are easier to make.
a laptop 3. Larger keyboard, easy to use.
4. Design allows heat to escape.
31. Disadvantages of 1. Large and bulky, not portable.
PCs compared to 2. Need a constant power supply.
a laptop 3. You cant work with them in di�erent locations and need to copy les to work
somewhere else.
32. Advantages of 1. Smaller and lighter, portable.
Laptops over PCs 2. Components use low battery.
3. Reachargeable battery.
4. Usually have built in WiFi to access the internet.
5. No need to transfer les to work with them somewhere else.
33. Disadvantages of 1. Limited battery life
laptops to PCs 2. Small keyboard
3. Prone to theft
4. Dont have a design for heat to escape.
34. Tablet Comput- Hand held mobile computers that have a touch screen and a few physical but-
ers tons.
They may come with a SIM card slot to make phone calls and send texts.
Normally they have built in sensors like cameras and microphone, and built in
WiFi.
They are used to access the internet, view multimedia and use apps.
Questions for Exam Preparation
1. Hardware The physical components of a computer system.
2. Internal Hard- Processor (CPU)
ware Devices Motherboard
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Video and Sound Card
Internal Hard Disk Drive
3. Motherboard Central component of any computer system through which every other compo-
nent communicates. Components are plugged into it directly or indirectly.
4. Processor (CPU) The brain of the computer. It controls everything that the computer does and
processes the data, moving it in and out of the memory.
5. Random Access It stores the information currently in use, which is constantly changing.
Memory (RAM) A fast, volatile memory since when the computer is turned o� the data is lost. The
more RAM you have the faster your computer works.
6. Read Only Mem- Used to store instructions for the computer to work. The information cant be
ory (ROM) changed and when the computer is turned o�, it wont be lost. The data can be
accessed very fast.
7. Video Card Allows images to be displayed on the monitor. Along with its installation, software
is installed so it tells the computer how to use it.
8. Sound Card Allows the computer to produce and input sounds to and from the computer by
turning analogue data into digital and vice versa.
9. Internal Hard Stores data that is not instantly needed for an inde nite time. It also stores
Disk Drive programmes and is used commonly to back up data.
10. External Hard-
ware
, Inputs
Outputs
Peripherals
11. Input Devices Used to get data into the computer system.
They are manual or automatic.
12. Output Devices Used to transfer data out of the computer system. They are temporary or perma-
nent.
13. Peripheral De- Non-essential hardware that connect to the computer externally.
vices
14. Software Programmes used for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of
electronic data.
(Applications S. and System S)
15. Applications Soft- Software used in particular situations, which can be used either in general pur-
ware pose or in one particular situation.
i.e. Word processing, spreadsheet, data manipulation...
16. Systems Soft- Files and programmes that make up a computer.
ware i.e. Compilers, linkers, device drivers...
17. Secondary/Back- Storage devices and media that are not constantly accessible by a computer
ing Storage system.
18. Operating Sys- Software program that manages computer resources. They allow components to
tem communicate with each other and enable the computer to run software applica-
tions.
They are CLI and GUI.
19. Command Line The user types in instructions and commands.
Interface (CLI) It is fast but complicated to use.
, It uses very little RAM.
Used in batch processing.
20. Advantages of 1. User communicates directly with the computer.
CLI 2. There's a wide range of commands.
3. Needs very little computer power.
21. Disadvantages of 1. User must remember complex commands.
CLI 2. Lots of typing involved.
3. High chance of errors.
22. Graphical User The user points at and clicks objects on a screen with a mouse.
Interface (GUI) It is easy to use but needs a large amount of RAM and disk space.
It uses Windows, Icons, Menus,and Pointers (WIMP)
23. Advantages of 1. Quick and easy to enter commands.
GUI 2. Less chance of errors.
24. Disadvantages of 1. Smaller range of commands can be used.
GUI 2. Uses more computer power.
25. Types of Comput- 1. Personal Computers
ers 2. Laptops
3. Tablet Computer
4. Smart Phones
26. Personal Com- Found in schools, at home or o ces.
puters They are made of input, output and storage devices grouped in a base unit.
27. Standalone PC They are used by one at a time and can function without being connected to other
PCs.
28. Networked PC They are connected to other computers in a network in order to share resources
and data.
, 29. Laptops Portable computers with LCD screens that are small enough to sit on your lap.
They can be used as standalone and be taken to di�erent places thanks to the
built in battery or as networked with the same purpose as Networked PCs.
30. Advantages of 1. Better components for the same price.
PCs compared to 2. Cheaper because components are easier to make.
a laptop 3. Larger keyboard, easy to use.
4. Design allows heat to escape.
31. Disadvantages of 1. Large and bulky, not portable.
PCs compared to 2. Need a constant power supply.
a laptop 3. You cant work with them in di�erent locations and need to copy les to work
somewhere else.
32. Advantages of 1. Smaller and lighter, portable.
Laptops over PCs 2. Components use low battery.
3. Reachargeable battery.
4. Usually have built in WiFi to access the internet.
5. No need to transfer les to work with them somewhere else.
33. Disadvantages of 1. Limited battery life
laptops to PCs 2. Small keyboard
3. Prone to theft
4. Dont have a design for heat to escape.
34. Tablet Comput- Hand held mobile computers that have a touch screen and a few physical but-
ers tons.
They may come with a SIM card slot to make phone calls and send texts.
Normally they have built in sensors like cameras and microphone, and built in
WiFi.
They are used to access the internet, view multimedia and use apps.
