WAEC Computer Studies 2015 past questions

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

Ten questions from the 2015 WAEC Computer Studies paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 43 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Computer Studies 2015 questions and answers

1. 1.An example of a specific purpose application package is the?
   1. A
      Spreadsheet
   2. B
      Payroll package
      Correct
   3. C
      Word processor
   4. D
      Database management system
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   Answer: B

   Application packages are grouped into two broad classes: general-purpose packages and specific-purpose (special-purpose) packages.

2. 2.In hexadecimal number system, B, D and F represent which of the following decimal numbers?
   1. A
      11, 12 and 13
   2. B
      12, 14 and 16
   3. C
      10, 12 and 14
   4. D
      11, 13 and 15
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   In the hexadecimal number system, the digits run from 0 to 9 and then continue with letters for the values 10 upward: A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15.

   So reading off the three letters asked for: B = 11, D = 13 and F = 15.

3. 3.The conversion of 11001$_2$ to base ten equals?
   1. A
      19
   2. B
      26
   3. C
      25
      Correct
   4. D
      24
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   Answer: C

   11001 in base two is converted to base ten by multiplying each digit by its place value (a power of 2, starting from 2⁰ on the right) and adding the results.

   Reading the digits from left to right as 1 1 0 0 1, the place values are 2⁴, 2³, 2², 2¹, 2⁰, which are 16, 8, 4, 2, 1.

   So: (1 × 16) + (1 × 8) + (0 × 4) + (0 × 2) + (1 × 1) = 16 + 8 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 25.

4. 4.Which of the following items changes shape depending on the task being performed?
   1. A
      Cursor
      Correct
   2. B
      Icon
   3. C
      Title bar
   4. D
      Scroll bar
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   Answer: A

   The cursor (mouse pointer) is the item on the computer screen whose shape changes depending on the task being performed.

5. 5.The line segment that describes the contents of the message when sending an e-mail is?
   1. A
      Subject
      Correct
   2. B
      Header
   3. C
      Address
   4. D
      Body
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   Answer: A

   Subject is correct. When composing an e-mail, the Subject line is the short line segment where the sender writes a brief description of what the message is about, so that the receiver can tell at a glance what the mail contains before even opening it.

6. 6.Which of the following devices is not a micro computer?
   1. A
      Desktop computer
   2. B
      Laptop computer
   3. C
      Mainframe computer
      Correct
   4. D
      Notebook computer
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   Answer: C

   Microcomputers are small, affordable computers built around a single microprocessor chip, meant for use by one person at a time. A desktop computer, a laptop computer, and a notebook computer are all everyday examples of microcomputers — they differ only in size and portability, not in category.

   So the odd one out — the device that is not a microcomputer — is the mainframe computer.

7. 7.A pictorial representation of program flow is referred to as?
   1. A
      Algorithm
   2. B
      Data flow diagram
   3. C
      Flowchart
      Correct
   4. D
      Pseudocode
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   Answer: C

   A flowchart is the pictorial (diagrammatic) representation of the sequence of steps and flow of control in a program, using standard symbols such as ovals for start/stop, rectangles for process steps, diamonds for decisions, and arrows to show the direction of flow.

   Because the question specifically asks for a pictorial representation of program flow, the flowchart is the correct answer.

8. 8.Which of the following is not a function of the operating system?
   1. A
      Allocating memory to programs
   2. B
      Translating source code into machine code
      Correct
   3. C
      Controlling input and output devices
   4. D
      Managing file storage and retrieval
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   Answer: B

   The operating system is the software that manages the computer's hardware and resources so that programs can run. Its core functions include memory management (allocating memory to programs), device management (controlling input and output devices), and file management (managing file storage and retrieval), along with process/processor management and providing security.

9. 9.Which of the following is not a network device?
   1. A
      Modem
   2. B
      Router
   3. C
      Switch
   4. D
      Monitor
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   The monitor is not a network device. A monitor is an output (peripheral) device — it only displays what the computer sends to it; it plays no part in connecting computers together or moving data between them.

10. 10.Which of the following is a valid e-mail address?
    1. A
       chidinma@@gmail.com
    2. B
       [email protected]
       Correct
    3. C
       chidinma@gmail
    4. D
       chidinma.gmail.com
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    Answer: B

    A valid e-mail address must have three things in the right order: a username, a single "@" symbol, and a domain name that ends with an extension (like .com, .org, .edu.ng).

    [email protected] has all three parts correctly: a username (chidinma), one "@" sign, and a complete domain (gmail.com) with its extension. This is a properly formed e-mail address.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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