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ZIMSEC O Level · 4021/1

Computer Science Paper 1 Specimen 2026

Questions
38 of 40
Time allowed
60 min
Syllabus code
4021/1

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Questions
38
Pass mark
23
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Answer every question in the printed order, get marked at the end, then see the answers.

The questions

Question 1

Storage
A storage technology with fastest access time is
  1. ASSD.
  2. BHDD.
  3. COptical Disk.
  4. DFlash Disk.

Question 2

Applications
Which software is used to organize and store student data for a school?
  1. APresentation software
  2. BDatabase software
  3. CGraphics software
  4. DWord processing software

Question 3

System software
Utility software is an example of
  1. Aapplication software.
  2. Bcustomized software.
  3. Ccommunication software.
  4. Dsystem software.

Question 4

Storage
HDD stands for
  1. AHardware Disk Drive.
  2. BHigh Definition Device.
  3. CHard Disk Drive.
  4. DHigh Disk Drive.

Question 5

Control systems
Which one is a characteristic of a control system?
  1. ADedicated to one task
  2. BDo not involve feedback
  3. CCan have several tasks
  4. DLack of the ability to collect and analyse

Question 6

Control systems
Which sensor is used in a greenhouse?
  1. APressure sensor
  2. BProximity sensor
  3. CAcoustic sensor
  4. DHumidity sensor

Question 7

File types
Android applications are packed in
  1. AAPK file format.
  2. BAxe file format.
  3. CZIP file format.
  4. Dfile format.

Question 8

Modelling and simulation
Flight simulation is used to train pilots because
  1. Aflight simulations are more realistic than flying an actual plane.
  2. Bit enables dangerous flight situations in real life to be modeled.
  3. Cthe modeled plane behaves more unpredictably.
  4. Dit is easier to fly a virtual plane.

Question 9

Logic gates
Which of the following logic gates represents a buffer gate?
  1. AA
  2. BB
  3. CC
  4. DD

Question 10

Logic gates
The truth table for an OR gate is
  1. AA
  2. BB
  3. CC
  4. DD

Question 11

Number systems
A hexadecimal number AD in binary is
  1. A10101101
  2. B11011010
  3. C10110101
  4. D10101100

Question 12

Logic gates
Which logic circuit represents the expression X = A + BC?
  1. AA
  2. BB
  3. CC
  4. DD

Question 13

Networks
A device responsible for finding an optimal route through which to send data packets on a WAN is
  1. Amoclem.
  2. Brouter.
  3. Clayer-2 switch.
  4. Dnetwork interface card.

Question 14

Networks
A network model suitable for two friends sharing a PDF document using Bluetooth technology is
  1. APAN.
  2. BLAN.
  3. CPeer to peer.
  4. DClient server.

Question 15

Networks

A computer is unable to access the internet but can communicate with the local network devices.

What should be checked first?

  1. Arouter configuration
  2. Bcable connections
  3. Ccookies
  4. Ddomain name system settings

Question 16

Networks
Error detection and correction at the destination is done in which layer of the OSI model?
  1. AApplication
  2. BNetwork
  3. CData link
  4. DPhysical

Question 17

Data validation
Which security measure is used to ensure data integrity by keying data twice?
  1. ACheck sum
  2. BFirewall
  3. CFormat check
  4. DVerification

Question 18

Security
Authentication involves the use of
  1. Apasswords, biometric sensors and pincodes.
  2. Bfirewall, magnetic stripes and pincodes.
  3. Cbiometric sensors, proxy servers and tokens.
  4. Dantispyware, passwords and biometric sensors.

Question 19

Security
A technique of scrambling data into a format that is not readable by unauthorized users is
  1. Aupdating.
  2. Bauthorization.
  3. Cencryption.
  4. Dvalidation.

Question 20

Security
Which expert is hired to test security systems?
  1. Awhite hab hacker
  2. Bblack hab hacker
  3. Cprogrammer
  4. Dcracker

Question 21

Testing
The testing strategy performed to identify bugs before releasing software to real users or the public is
  1. ATop down testing.
  2. BWhite box testing.
  3. CAlpha testing.
  4. DBeta testing.

Question 22

Systems analysis
The first step in the system development life cycle is
  1. Asystem design.
  2. Bcoding.
  3. Csystem testing.
  4. Dpreliminary investigation.

Question 23

Testing
The best test strategy to use when testing a code that deletes an old student record is
  1. Aintegration testing.
  2. Bunit testing.
  3. Cmodule testing.
  4. Dsystem testing.

Question 24

Systems analysis
Which system development stage performs cost benefit analysis?
  1. ADesign stage
  2. BFeasibility
  3. CAnalysis
  4. DDevelopment

Question 25

Programming
If statements and select case statements are
  1. Adecision making constraints.
  2. Bsequence constraints.
  3. Citeration constraints.
  4. Dlooping constraints,

Question 27

Programming
Given A as 9, A Mod 2 is
  1. A4.5.
  2. B4.
  3. C0.5.
  4. D1.

Question 28

Programming

Given the following algorithm:

Start
Distance = 200 k
Time = 5 hours
Speed = distance / time
Display speed
End

The speed is

  1. A240.
  2. B205.
  3. C40.
  4. D400.

Question 30

Data protection
Which of the following protects the creators from havng their work to be reproduced?
  1. Acopyright
  2. Bpatent
  3. Ctrademark
  4. Dintellectual property

Question 31

Programming

Study the following procedure:

Procedure square (X:Integer)
square = x * x
End procedure

The output given the value of x as 3 is

  1. A9
  2. B0
  3. C6
  4. D1

Question 32

Databases
Which database object is used to display information?
  1. Aform
  2. Breport
  3. Cquery
  4. Dmodule

Question 33

Data validation
The validation rule > = 4 And < = 36 accepts
  1. Avalue 4 and value 9.
  2. Bany value greater than 4 and less than 36.
  3. Ceither value 4 or value 9
  4. Dvalues from 4 to 36

Question 34

Databases
Which data type accepts alphanumeric data?
  1. AMemo
  2. BText
  3. CHyperlink
  4. DCurrency

Question 35

Databases
The correct query to display all students who were born before 2010 is
  1. A1/1/2010.
  2. B<1/1/2010.
  3. C>1/1/2010.
  4. D=1/1/2010.

Question 36

Internet
An example of software used to create an HTML document is
  1. APowerpoint.
  2. BExcel.
  3. CNotepad.
  4. DPublisher.

Question 37

Internet
Which tags centres the title “Computer Science”?
  1. A</centre>Computer Science <\centre>
  2. B<centre> Conmputer Science <centre>
  3. C<centre> Computer Science </centre>
  4. D,centre> Computer Science <centre/>

Question 38

Business and ICT
The main aim of a business strategy is to
  1. Areview a plan to follow.
  2. Bimprove sales.
  3. Cgain competitive advantage.
  4. Dhave an overview of the business.

Question 39

Programming

Start
READ amount_in_USD
READ rate = 32.50 zig
Amount_In_Zig = amount_in_USD * rate
DISPLAY Amount_In_Zig
Stop

The output for the above pseudocode given that the amount in USD is $3 is

  1. A97.50.
  2. B35.50.
  3. C97.00.
  4. D96.00.

Question 40

Programming
The purpose of the pseudocode in question 39 is
  1. Ato buy USD.
  2. Bto convert currency.
  3. Cto withdraw money.
  4. Dto find the total amount.

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