NTS Basic Computer Knowledge — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which device is used to convert digital signals to analog signals for transmission over telephone lines?

Router
Modem (Correct answer)
Switch
Hub

Correct answer: Modem

A modem (modulator-demodulator) converts digital signals to analog and vice versa.

A modem (MOdulator-DEModulator) is a hardware device that converts digital data from a computer into analog signals for transmission over telephone lines, and converts incoming analog signals back to digital. Routers direct network traffic, switches connect network devices, and hubs broadcast data. Basic networking concepts are tested in NTS computer knowledge.

Question 2: What is the full form of URL?

Universal Resource Locator
Uniform Resource Locator (Correct answer)
Unified Resource Link
Universal Reference Link

Correct answer: Uniform Resource Locator

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, used to specify addresses on the internet.

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the address used to access resources on the internet, such as web pages. A URL typically includes the protocol (http/https), domain name, and path. This is a commonly tested IT abbreviation in NTS exams.

Question 3: Which of the following is an input device?

Monitor
Printer
Scanner (Correct answer)
Speaker

Correct answer: Scanner

A scanner is an input device that converts physical documents into digital format for the computer.

Input devices send data to a computer. A scanner captures images or text from physical documents and converts them into digital data. Monitor, printer, and speaker are all output devices that receive data from the computer to display, print, or play audio. Understanding input vs output devices is fundamental NTS computer knowledge.

Question 4: What does 'HTTP' stand for?

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (Correct answer)
High Tech Transfer Protocol
Hyper Text Transmission Protocol
High Transfer Text Protocol

Correct answer: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol

HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, the foundation of data communication on the web.

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents on the World Wide Web. It was designed for communication between web browsers and web servers. HTTPS is the secure version using encryption. Internet protocol abbreviations are regularly tested in NTS.

Question 5: Which key combination is used to paste copied text in Windows?

Ctrl + X
Ctrl + V (Correct answer)
Ctrl + C
Ctrl + P

Correct answer: Ctrl + V

Ctrl + V is the keyboard shortcut for pasting in Windows applications.

Common Windows keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + C (Copy), Ctrl + X (Cut), Ctrl + V (Paste), Ctrl + P (Print). Ctrl + V pastes the most recently copied or cut content from the clipboard. These basic computer operation shortcuts are frequently tested in NTS computer knowledge sections.

Question 6: Which of the following is NOT an operating system?

Windows
Linux
Oracle (Correct answer)
macOS

Correct answer: Oracle

Oracle is a database management system, not an operating system. Windows, Linux, and macOS are all operating systems.

Oracle Corporation is known primarily for its database management system (Oracle Database). While Oracle does have an OS (Oracle Linux), 'Oracle' by itself refers to the database product. Windows (Microsoft), Linux (open source), and macOS (Apple) are all well-known operating systems. Distinguishing between software categories is a common NTS question.

Question 7: What is the main function of RAM in a computer?

Permanent data storage
Temporary data storage during processing (Correct answer)
Internet connectivity
Display output

Correct answer: Temporary data storage during processing

RAM (Random Access Memory) provides temporary storage for data and programs currently being used.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory that temporarily stores data and instructions that the CPU needs while performing tasks. Unlike a hard drive or SSD (permanent storage), RAM contents are lost when power is turned off. More RAM allows a computer to handle more tasks simultaneously. Computer memory concepts are standard NTS topics.

Question 8: Which of the following file extensions indicates a presentation file?

.docx
.xlsx
.pptx (Correct answer)
.pdf

Correct answer: .pptx

The .pptx extension is used by Microsoft PowerPoint for presentation files.

.docx is for Microsoft Word documents, .xlsx is for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, .pptx is for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, and .pdf is a portable document format. Understanding file types and their associated applications is a basic computer literacy skill tested in NTS.

Question 9: What does CPU stand for?

Central Processing Unit (Correct answer)
Computer Personal Unit
Central Program Utility
Computer Processing Unit

Correct answer: Central Processing Unit

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, often called the 'brain' of the computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing. It executes instructions from programs, performs calculations, and manages data flow. Modern CPUs contain multiple cores for parallel processing. Hardware abbreviations are commonly tested in NTS computer knowledge sections.

Question 10: Which generation of computers introduced the use of integrated circuits (ICs)?

First generation
Second generation
Third generation (Correct answer)
Fourth generation

Correct answer: Third generation

Third generation computers (1964-1971) used integrated circuits, replacing transistors.

Computer generations: 1st (1940s-1950s) - vacuum tubes, 2nd (1950s-1960s) - transistors, 3rd (1964-1971) - integrated circuits (ICs), 4th (1971-present) - microprocessors, 5th - AI-based. Integrated circuits combined multiple transistors on a single chip, making computers smaller and faster. Computer history is part of NTS general IT knowledge.

Question 11: What is the binary equivalent of the decimal number 10?

1000
1010 (Correct answer)
1100
1001

Correct answer: 1010

Decimal 10 in binary is 1010 (8+0+2+0).

To convert decimal 10 to binary: 10÷2=5 remainder 0, 5÷2=2 remainder 1, 2÷2=1 remainder 0, 1÷2=0 remainder 1. Reading remainders bottom to top: 1010. Verification: 1×8 + 0×4 + 1×2 + 0×1 = 10. Number system conversions (binary, decimal, octal, hexadecimal) appear in NTS computer knowledge.

Question 12: Which protocol is used for sending emails?

FTP
HTTP
SMTP (Correct answer)
TCP

Correct answer: SMTP

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for sending emails.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails from a client to a server or between servers. For receiving emails, POP3 (Post Office Protocol) or IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) are used. FTP is for file transfer, HTTP for web pages, and TCP is a transport layer protocol. Email protocol knowledge is tested in NTS.

NTS Basic Computer Knowledge

Which device is used to convert digital signals to analog signals for transmission over telephone lines?

🃏 NTS Flashcards — Study This Quiz as Flip Cards →

📚 Want to go deeper? Read the Full NTS Study Guide →

What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for NTS

An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:

A timed, full-length NTS mock exam — 100 questions in 120 minutes with a 50% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
A fixed NTS question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
A printable NTS cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
NTS flashcards built from the same question bank.

Start the Timed NTS Mock Exam →

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

nts.org.pk — Exam format, time limit, test delivery, eligibility, exam dates, fees, late registration, registration deadline, registration, score release · verified Nov 2026