MIS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MIS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which term refers to the deliberate overloading of a network or server to make it unavailable to legitimate users? → Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack
2. What is a balanced scorecard in the BI context? → A strategic management framework measuring performance across four perspectives
3. What is the purpose of the system maintenance phase in SDLC? → To correct bugs, improve performance, and adapt the system post-deployment
4. A retail company wants to integrate its inventory, sales, and HR data into a single system. Which type of system best fits this need? → Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
5. Which DSS application would best help a bank decide whether to approve a loan? → Credit scoring DSS
6. Which implementation approach replaces the old system entirely on a single cutover date? → Big bang conversion
7. Which component of Porter's value chain is considered a PRIMARY activity? → Outbound logistics
8. Which term describes software that tracks user behavior without their knowledge and sends data to a third party? → Spyware
9. Which concept describes the exponential growth of data volume, velocity, and variety that organizations must manage? → Big Data
10. Which type of attack attempts to overwhelm a system with traffic to make it unavailable? → Denial of Service (DoS) attack
11. Cloud-based ERP systems are also known as: → SaaS ERP (Software as a Service)
12. What is OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)? → A technology for fast multi-dimensional analysis of large data sets
13. Which cybersecurity attack tricks users into revealing credentials by disguising a malicious communication as trustworthy? → Phishing
14. When determining the type of _____ system to install in a company, access to real-time information is usually required. → management information
15. What is the purpose of encryption in information security? → To convert data into an unreadable format for unauthorized users
16. What term describes the practice of storing and accessing data over the internet rather than on local hardware? → Cloud Computing
17. What is 'business process reengineering' in the context of ERP implementation? → Redesigning workflows to align with ERP best practices
18. Two-tier ERP architecture refers to: → Running corporate ERP alongside a simpler ERP for subsidiaries
19. What are the three core principles of information security known as the CIA triad? → Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability
20. A hospital uses a system that captures patient symptoms and suggests possible diagnoses based on medical knowledge rules. This is an example of: → Expert System (ES)
21. Big Data is often characterized by the original '3 Vs' which include: → Volume, Velocity, and Variety
22. What kind of office application software is most effective for managing an employee's travel expenses? → Spreadsheet
23. Which network topology connects all devices to a single central hub or switch, making it easy to add or remove devices? → Star topology
24. What is a use case in systems analysis? → A description of how users interact with a system to achieve a goal
25. The principle of 'separation of duties' in internal IT controls means: → No single employee can complete a high-risk transaction alone
26. What is the primary purpose of a Decision Support System (DSS)? → To support managerial decision-making with data analysis
27. What does SDLC stand for in information systems? → System Development Life Cycle
28. Which systems development methodology delivers working software in short, iterative cycles with continuous stakeholder feedback? → Agile/Scrum
29. Which SDLC phase converts system requirements into detailed technical specifications? → Systems design
30. Which methodology delivers software in short, iterative cycles called 'sprints'? → Agile Scrum