EDPT Reading Comprehension and Critical Analysis 4

Question 1

A technical manual states: 'Batch processing collects data over a period of time and processes it all at once, whereas real-time processing handles data immediately as it is received.' Which scenario best illustrates a limitation of batch processing?

Accepted Answer

A bank updates all account balances at midnight, so a customer cannot see a deposit made at 11:59 PM reflected until the next day

Answer

Batch processing delays reflect updates until the scheduled run, so time-sensitive transactions like late deposits are not visible immediately.

Question 2

Read the following excerpt: 'Redundancy in data storage does not imply inefficiency; rather, strategic redundancy ensures data availability when primary storage fails.' What is the author's primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

To correct the misconception that redundancy is always wasteful by highlighting its protective value

Answer

The author reframes redundancy as a deliberate protective strategy rather than a sign of inefficiency.

Question 3

A passage reads: 'A flowchart uses standardized symbols—ovals for start/end, rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions—to map the sequence of steps in a program.' A programmer draws a shape with four equal sides and right angles to represent a decision point. Based on the passage, this choice is:

Accepted Answer

Incorrect, because a square is not the standardized symbol for a decision; a diamond is

Answer

The passage specifies diamonds for decisions; a square, while a quadrilateral, is not the standardized symbol described.

Question 4

An EDPT reading passage states: 'Data integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire lifecycle.' A database administrator discovers that the same customer record shows two different birth dates in two tables. This MOST directly represents a failure of:

Accepted Answer

Data integrity

Answer

Conflicting values for the same attribute across tables violate accuracy and consistency, which are the defining elements of data integrity.

Question 5

The following argument appears in a passage: 'Because computers never make arithmetic errors, any numerical output from a computer program must be correct.' Which critical flaw does this argument contain?

Accepted Answer

It ignores the possibility that incorrect input data or flawed program logic can produce wrong outputs despite accurate arithmetic

Answer

The argument commits a 'garbage in, garbage out' fallacy by assuming arithmetic accuracy guarantees overall correctness regardless of input quality or logic errors.

EDPT - Electronic Data Processing Test Practice Test

EDPT - Electronic Data Processing Test Practice Test

EDPT Reading Comprehension and Critical Analysis 4