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IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude Syllabus

The Computer Aptitude syllabus for IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) in full: 3 chapters, 9 topics and 19 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 75 Computer Aptitude flashcards with answers.

3Chapters
9Topics
19Sub-topics
75Flashcards

Computer Aptitude syllabus: all 3 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Computer Fundamentals

     3 topics
    • Basics of Computers
      • Generations and types of computers
      • Input and output devices
      • Hardware and software basics
    • Memory and Storage
      • Primary and secondary memory
      • Units of memory measurement
    • Number Systems in Computing
      • Binary, octal, hexadecimal
      • Conversions between bases

  2. Operating Systems and Software

     3 topics
    • Operating System Concepts
      • Functions of an OS
      • Types of operating systems
    • MS Office Applications
      • MS Word and Excel shortcuts
      • MS PowerPoint basics
    • Programming Basics
      • High-level and low-level languages
      • Compiler, interpreter and assembler

  3. Internet, Networking and Security

     3 topics
    • Networking Fundamentals
      • LAN, WAN, MAN and topologies
      • OSI model basics
    • Internet and Web
      • Protocols (HTTP, FTP, TCP/IP)
      • Browsers, email and search engines
    • Cyber Security
      • Viruses, malware and antivirus
      • Firewalls and digital security in banking

IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude flashcards — 75 questions with answers

  1. What is a computer?

    An electronic device that accepts data as input, processes it according to a set of instructions (program), stores it, and produces meaningful information as output.

  2. Who is known as the 'Father of Computers'?

    Charles Babbage, for designing the Analytical Engine and the Difference Engine.

  3. Define hardware and software with examples.

    Hardware is the physical, tangible parts of a computer (CPU, keyboard, monitor, RAM). Software is the set of instructions/programs that run on the hardware (Windows, MS Word).

  4. What are the three main functional units of the CPU?

    The Control Unit (CU), the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and the registers/memory unit. The CPU is called the 'brain' of the computer.

  5. What is the function of the ALU in a CPU?

    The Arithmetic Logic Unit performs all arithmetic operations (add, subtract, etc.) and logical operations (comparisons such as AND, OR, NOT, greater than/less than).

  6. Name the five generations of computers by their core technology.

    1st: Vacuum tubes; 2nd: Transistors; 3rd: Integrated Circuits (ICs); 4th: Microprocessors (VLSI); 5th: Artificial Intelligence (ULSI / parallel processing).

  7. What is the difference between input and output devices? Give examples.

    Input devices feed data into the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone). Output devices give results out to the user (monitor, printer, speaker).

  8. What is firmware?

    Permanent software programmed into a read-only memory (like BIOS in ROM); it is a combination of hardware and software that controls basic startup and device functions.

  9. What is the smallest unit of data in a computer?

    A bit (binary digit), which holds a value of either 0 or 1.

  10. How many bits are in a byte, and what does one byte typically represent?

    8 bits make 1 byte, and one byte typically represents a single character (a letter, digit, or symbol).

  11. List the memory size units in ascending order from byte to terabyte.

    Byte (B) < Kilobyte (KB) < Megabyte (MB) < Gigabyte (GB) < Terabyte (TB), each 1024 times the previous (1 KB = 1024 bytes).

  12. How many bytes are in 1 Kilobyte, 1 Megabyte, and 1 Gigabyte?

    1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB = 1,048,576 bytes; 1 GB = 1024 MB. (Each step multiplies by 1024 = 2^10.)

  13. What is the difference between primary and secondary memory?

    Primary memory (RAM/ROM) is directly accessible by the CPU, fast, and (for RAM) volatile. Secondary memory (HDD, SSD, USB) is non-volatile, slower, larger, and used for permanent storage.

  14. Differentiate RAM and ROM.

    RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, read/write, temporary working memory. ROM (Read Only Memory) is non-volatile, mostly read-only, and stores permanent startup instructions.

  15. What is the difference between SRAM and DRAM?

    SRAM (Static RAM) uses flip-flops, is faster, costlier, and used in cache. DRAM (Dynamic RAM) uses capacitors, needs constant refreshing, is slower/cheaper, and used as main memory.

  16. What is cache memory and why is it used?

    Cache is a small, very fast memory between the CPU and main memory that stores frequently used data/instructions to reduce average access time and speed up processing.

  17. Name the types of ROM.

    PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM, erased by UV light), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM).

  18. What is virtual memory?

    A technique where part of the secondary storage (hard disk) is used as an extension of RAM, allowing the system to run programs larger than physical memory.

  19. What is the key difference between an HDD and an SSD?

    HDD (Hard Disk Drive) stores data on spinning magnetic platters and is slower/cheaper. SSD (Solid State Drive) uses flash memory with no moving parts, making it faster, more durable, and costlier.

  20. Which memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is switched off?

    RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile and loses all stored data when power is turned off.

Show the other 55 Computer Aptitude flashcards

  1. Which four number systems are commonly used in computing and what are their bases?

    Binary (base 2), Octal (base 8), Decimal (base 10), and Hexadecimal (base 16).

  2. What digits/symbols are used in the hexadecimal number system?

    0-9 and A-F, where A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, and F=15 (16 symbols total).

  3. Convert the binary number 1010 to decimal.

    10. (1x8 + 0x4 + 1x2 + 0x1 = 8 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 10.)

  4. Convert the decimal number 25 to binary.

    11001. (25 = 16 + 8 + 1 = 16+8+0+0+1.)

  5. How do you convert a binary number to its octal equivalent?

    Group the binary digits into sets of 3 (from the right) and convert each group to its octal digit (e.g., 110 101 = 65 in octal).

  6. How do you convert binary to hexadecimal?

    Group the binary digits into sets of 4 (from the right) and convert each group to a single hex digit (e.g., 1010 1111 = AF).

  7. What is the decimal value of the hexadecimal number 1F?

    31. (1x16 + 15 = 16 + 15 = 31.)

  8. What is ASCII?

    American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a 7-bit (extended 8-bit) coding scheme that assigns numeric codes to characters for representing text in computers.

  9. What is an operating system?

    System software that manages computer hardware and software resources and acts as an interface between the user and the hardware (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS, Android).

  10. List the main functions of an operating system.

    Process management, memory management, file management, device/I-O management, security/access control, and providing a user interface.

  11. What is the difference between a CLI and a GUI?

    CLI (Command Line Interface) requires typing text commands (e.g., MS-DOS). GUI (Graphical User Interface) uses icons, windows, and a mouse for interaction (e.g., Windows).

  12. What is multitasking in an operating system?

    The ability of an OS to execute multiple tasks (programs/processes) seemingly at the same time by rapidly switching the CPU among them.

  13. What is booting?

    The process of starting up a computer and loading the operating system into RAM. Cold booting starts from power-off; warm booting restarts a running system.

  14. What is a process versus a program?

    A program is a passive set of instructions stored on disk; a process is a program in active execution, with its own resources (memory, CPU time) allocated by the OS.

  15. What is a deadlock in an operating system?

    A situation where two or more processes are each waiting indefinitely for resources held by the others, so none can proceed.

  16. Name common examples of operating systems.

    Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix (desktop/server); Android, iOS (mobile).

  17. What is the file extension for MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint files?

    Word: .docx (older .doc); Excel: .xlsx (older .xls); PowerPoint: .pptx (older .ppt).

  18. In MS Excel, what is a cell and what is its address?

    A cell is the intersection of a row and a column where data is entered; its address is given by the column letter followed by the row number (e.g., A1, C5).

  19. How does every formula begin in MS Excel?

    Every formula in Excel begins with an equals sign (=), for example =SUM(A1:A5).

  20. What do the Excel functions SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT do?

    SUM adds a range of numbers; AVERAGE returns the arithmetic mean; COUNT counts the number of cells containing numeric values.

  21. What is a slide in MS PowerPoint, and what is a collection of slides called?

    A slide is a single page of a presentation; a collection of slides saved together is called a presentation (slide show).

  22. What are the keyboard shortcuts for Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, and Save?

    Cut = Ctrl+X, Copy = Ctrl+C, Paste = Ctrl+V, Undo = Ctrl+Z, Save = Ctrl+S.

  23. What is a programming language?

    A formal set of instructions and syntax used to write programs that direct a computer to perform specific tasks (e.g., C, Java, Python).

  24. What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?

    A compiler translates the entire source program into machine code at once before execution. An interpreter translates and executes the program line by line.

  25. What is the difference between high-level and low-level languages?

    High-level languages (Python, Java) are human-readable and machine-independent. Low-level languages (machine code, assembly) are closer to hardware and machine-dependent.

  26. What is an algorithm?

    A finite, step-by-step set of well-defined instructions to solve a particular problem or perform a task.

  27. What is a flowchart?

    A graphical/diagrammatic representation of an algorithm or process using standard symbols (e.g., oval for start/stop, rectangle for process, diamond for decision).

  28. What is debugging?

    The process of identifying, locating, and removing errors (bugs) from a computer program.

  29. What is the difference between syntax error and logical error?

    A syntax error violates the grammar rules of the language and prevents compilation. A logical error produces incorrect results even though the program runs, due to flawed logic.

  30. What is the difference between source code and object code?

    Source code is the human-readable program written in a high-level language. Object code is the machine-readable code generated after compilation.

  31. What is a computer network?

    A group of two or more interconnected computers/devices that share data, resources, and communicate with each other.

  32. Differentiate LAN, MAN, and WAN.

    LAN (Local Area Network) covers a small area like an office. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) covers a city. WAN (Wide Area Network) spans large areas like countries (e.g., the Internet).

  33. Name common network topologies.

    Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, and Tree topologies, describing how devices are physically/logically arranged in a network.

  34. What is the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router?

    A hub broadcasts data to all ports. A switch sends data only to the intended device using MAC addresses. A router connects different networks and routes data using IP addresses.

  35. What is a MAC address?

    Media Access Control address; a unique 48-bit hardware identifier permanently assigned to a network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer.

  36. What does a modem do?

    A modem (modulator-demodulator) converts digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone/cable lines and back to digital at the receiving end.

  37. What is bandwidth in networking?

    The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given time, usually measured in bits per second (bps, Mbps, Gbps).

  38. What is the Internet?

    A global network of interconnected computer networks that communicate using the TCP/IP protocol suite to share information and resources worldwide.

  39. What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW)?

    The Internet is the global hardware/network infrastructure connecting computers. The WWW is a service running on the Internet—a collection of interlinked web pages accessed via browsers.

  40. What does an IP address do, and name its two versions.

    An IP (Internet Protocol) address uniquely identifies a device on a network. IPv4 is 32-bit (e.g., 192.168.1.1); IPv6 is 128-bit, providing far more addresses.

  41. What is a URL and give an example of its parts.

    Uniform Resource Locator; the web address of a resource. Example: https://www.example.com — 'https' is the protocol, 'www.example.com' is the domain name.

  42. What is the function of DNS?

    The Domain Name System translates human-readable domain names (e.g., www.google.com) into machine-readable IP addresses.

  43. What is HTTP and HTTPS?

    HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) governs data transfer on the web. HTTPS is its secure version, encrypting data using SSL/TLS for safe communication.

  44. What is a web browser? Give examples.

    Software used to access, retrieve, and display web pages from the Internet. Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari.

  45. What is a search engine? Give examples.

    A web-based tool that searches the Internet and returns relevant results for user queries. Examples: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo.

  46. What is the difference between HTTP and FTP?

    HTTP transfers web pages/hypertext between server and browser. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used specifically to upload and download files between computers.

  47. What is cyber security?

    The practice of protecting computers, networks, programs, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, damage, or theft.

  48. What is a computer virus?

    A malicious program that attaches itself to files/programs, replicates, and spreads to damage data or disrupt system operation, usually requiring user action to spread.

  49. What is malware, and name common types.

    Malware (malicious software) is any software designed to harm a system. Types include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, and adware.

  50. What is the difference between a virus and a worm?

    A virus needs a host file and user action to spread, while a worm is standalone and self-replicates across networks automatically without human help.

  51. What is phishing?

    A cyber attack that uses fraudulent emails, messages, or websites pretending to be legitimate to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or bank details.

  52. What is a firewall?

    A network security system (hardware or software) that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules, acting as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks.

  53. What is encryption?

    The process of converting plain readable data (plaintext) into a coded form (ciphertext) so that only authorized parties with the key can read it.

  54. What is a strong password practice for cyber security?

    Use a long password mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special symbols; avoid personal info; and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra protection.

  55. What is a Trojan horse in computing?

    A malicious program disguised as legitimate, useful software that, once installed, gives attackers unauthorized access or harms the system; unlike viruses, it does not self-replicate.

IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude FAQ

What is in the IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude syllabus?

IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude is split into 3 chapters: Computer Fundamentals, Operating Systems and Software and Internet, Networking and Security. Together they contain 9 topics and 19 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude?

3 chapters, containing 9 topics and 19 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Computer Fundamentals, with 3 topics.

Are there flashcards for IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) Computer Aptitude?

Yes — a 75-card Computer Aptitude deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.