100+ Free Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Practice Questions

Prepare for the Computer Technology and Software Professional Qualification (Level) Examination — Intermediate Software Designer (计算机技术与软件专业技术资格（水平）考试 — 中级软件设计师) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Exam

45/75

Passing score required on each of the two subjects in the same sitting

National 软考 fixed passing standard (60% of 75) cited in 深人考发〔2026〕7号

240 minutes

Combined CBT time for 基础知识 then 软件设计

软考 computer-based sitting rules for intermediate qualifications

23–26 May and 24–27 Oct 2026

Both 2026 sitting windows for Software Designer

计考办〔2026〕1号 / 深人考发〔2026〕7号

RMB 73/subject

Guangdong/Shenzhen fee example

粤发改价格函〔2024〕1073 via 深人考发〔2026〕7号

No score rollover

Both subjects must be passed together

软考 two-subject sitting rule

软考 Intermediate Software Designer is a Chinese CBT qualification: knowledge MCQs plus a 软件设计 short-answer paper in one 240-minute sitting, 45/75 on each subject, no score rollover. 2026 sittings are 23–26 May and 24–27 October. This 100-question English MCQ bank adapts architecture, algorithms, UML, and design-pattern judgment; it is not an official paper.

Sample Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In 8-bit two's-complement representation used on 软考 architecture items, which bit pattern encodes decimal −5?

A.11111011

B.10000101

C.11111010

D.00000101

Explanation: Write +5 as 00000101, invert the bits to 11111010, then add 1 to obtain 11111011. That is the 8-bit two's-complement encoding of −5. 软考 morning papers treat this convert-invert-add-one procedure as 掌握-level data representation.

2Convert unsigned decimal 45 to binary. Which bit string is correct?

A.101110

B.101101

C.110101

D.101011

Explanation: 45 = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1, so the powers of two that are set are 2^5, 2^3, 2^2, and 2^0, giving 101101. The official Software Designer 考试说明 lists data representation and arithmetic as 掌握.

3What is the Hamming distance between the 7-bit strings 1011001 and 1001101?

A.1

B.3

C.2

D.4

Explanation: Hamming distance counts positions where the bits differ. Aligning 1011001 and 1001101, the third and fifth bits differ and the rest match, so the distance is 2. 软考 hardware items use Hamming distance when discussing error-detecting codes.

4A 7-bit data word 1101011 is to be sent with a single odd-parity bit. What value should that parity bit take?

A.1

B.Cannot be determined from the data bits alone

C.2

D.0

Explanation: Odd parity makes the total number of 1-bits, including the parity bit, odd. 1101011 already contains five 1-bits (odd), so the parity bit must be 0. Even parity would have required 1 instead.

5A 5-stage instruction pipeline has a 2 ns clock. One hundred instructions execute with no stalls. Relative to a non-pipelined CPU that spends 10 ns on each instruction, what is the speedup (serial time / pipelined time)?

A.About 4.81

B.Exactly 5.00

C.Exactly 4.00

D.About 2.08

Explanation: Non-pipelined time is 100 × 5 × 2 ns = 1000 ns. Pipelined time is (5 + 99) × 2 ns = 208 ns. Speedup = 1000/208 ≈ 4.81. Theoretical peak speedup equals the stage count only as n → ∞ with no hazards. 软考 architecture items routinely ask this throughput/speedup pair.

6A direct-mapped cache uses 16-bit addresses, 64 blocks, and 16-byte blocks. How many tag bits are there?

A.8

B.6

C.4

D.10

Explanation: Block offset needs 4 bits because 16 = 2^4. Index needs 6 bits because 64 = 2^6. Tag bits are 16 − 4 − 6 = 6. Direct-mapped caches on 软考 papers split the address as tag | index | offset.

7In 软考 computer-architecture teaching, which property is typical of RISC relative to classic CISC?

A.Variable-length CISC-style microcode as RISC's defining control method

B.Memory-to-memory ALU operations as the default RISC instruction form

C.A load/store architecture with simpler instructions and more general-purpose registers

D.A requirement that RISC CPUs use only microprogrammed control

Explanation: RISC textbooks contrast a load/store ISA, simpler operations, and a larger register file with CISC's more complex memory-to-memory operations and microcode. The Software Designer 考试说明 requires mastering architecture and component principles, including this CISC/RISC contrast.

8A disk controller must copy a large buffer into memory with as little CPU instruction traffic as possible. Which I/O method matches that goal?

A.The CPU executes a load/store for every word of the buffer

B.An interrupt service routine copies the entire block with no DMA hardware

C.Programmed I/O is always faster than DMA for bulk disk transfers

D.DMA lets a controller move the block while the CPU is only set up and interrupted at completion

Explanation: Direct memory access (DMA) programs a controller to transfer a block between device and memory. The CPU is involved mainly for setup and a completion interrupt, which is the 软考 contrast with programmed I/O and interrupt-driven word-by-word copies.

9Three independent components are placed in series. Each has reliability 0.9. What is the system reliability?

A.0.729

B.0.9

C.0.999

D.2.7

Explanation: Series reliability multiplies component reliabilities: 0.9 × 0.9 × 0.9 = 0.729. Parallel would use 1 − (1 − R)^n. 软考 architecture/reliability items use this series-parallel product rule.

10An undirected graph has 6 vertices, each of degree 3. How many edges does it have?

A.18

B.9

C.6

D.3

Explanation: The handshaking lemma says the sum of degrees equals twice the number of edges. 6 × 3 = 18, so there are 9 edges. This is a standard discrete-math item under the Software Designer 考试说明's 掌握 discrete-math requirement.

About the Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Exam

The Ruankao Intermediate Software Designer exam (软考中级软件设计师) is a national computer-technology qualification under MIIT and MOHRSS. Official 考试说明 (https://www.ruankao.org.cn/article/content/bkzn/02_15.html) requires data representation and arithmetic/logic, discrete math, computer architecture, OS and languages with compiler familiarity, data structures and algorithms, C plus one of C++/Java/Visual Basic/Visual C++, software engineering/process/PM, software design methods, IT standards/security/law, informatization, and English reading. Qualified candidates design software from an overall specification, write program-design documentation, and guide programmers. 2026 sittings are in both windows 23–26 May and 24–27 October per 计考办〔2026〕1号 / 深人考发〔2026〕7号. Delivery is computer-based in Chinese: two subjects in one sitting, combined 240 minutes. Both papers must reach 45/75; scores do not roll. There is no education or experience restriction under 国人部发〔2003〕39号. Fees are set provincially. This OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or a substitute for the 软件设计 short-answer paper.

Assessment

Computer-based combined sitting of 240 minutes. 基础知识: maximum 120 minutes and minimum 90 minutes. Remaining time is 软件设计. Candidates who will not sit 软件设计 may leave after 120 minutes; those continuing may leave 60 minutes before the end. Both subjects must reach 45/75 in the same sitting; scores do not roll.

Time Limit

240 minutes combined

Passing Score

45/75 each subject

Exam Fee

Provincially set (e.g. Guangdong/Shenzhen RMB 73/subject per 粤发改价格函〔2024〕1073 and 深人考发〔2026〕7号) (MIIT & MOHRSS / ruankao.org.cn)

Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Exam Content Outline

15%

data-representation-architecture-discrete-math

Data representation, arithmetic and logic, computer architecture and component performance, and discrete-math foundations from the official 考试说明

12%

os-languages-compilers

Operating-system and programming-language fundamentals, with familiarity-level compiler knowledge named in the Software Designer 考试说明

20%

data-structures-and-algorithms

Common data structures and algorithms that 软件设计师 papers treat as 熟练掌握, including complexity and coding calculations

15%

programming-c-and-oop

C program design plus one of C++, Java, Visual Basic, or Visual C++ as required by the official 考试说明

22%

software-engineering-and-design

Software engineering, process improvement, project-management basics, and software design methods including UML, cohesion/coupling, and design patterns used in 软考

16%

databases-networks-multimedia-standards-law

Database, network, and multimedia familiarity plus IT standards, security, PRC software/copyright law, informatization, and English reading

How to Pass the Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 45/75 each subject
Assessment: Computer-based combined sitting of 240 minutes. 基础知识: maximum 120 minutes and minimum 90 minutes. Remaining time is 软件设计. Candidates who will not sit 软件设计 may leave after 120 minutes; those continuing may leave 60 minutes before the end. Both subjects must reach 45/75 in the same sitting; scores do not roll.
Time limit: 240 minutes combined
Exam fee: Provincially set (e.g. Guangdong/Shenzhen RMB 73/subject per 粤发改价格函〔2024〕1073 and 深人考发〔2026〕7号)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
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Ruankao Software Designer (Intermediate) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill two's-complement arithmetic, pipeline speedup (serial time / pipelined time), and cache tag/index/offset splits until they are automatic.

2On algorithm items, compute complexities and small examples (Huffman code lengths, expected sequential-search probes, McCabe V(G)=e−n+2) instead of only memorizing names.

3For UML, distinguish association, aggregation (hollow diamond), and composition (filled diamond), and practice DFD parent–child flow balancing used on 软件设计 papers.

4Memorize GoF intent in 软考 wording: Singleton, Factory Method, Adapter, Observer, Strategy, Template Method, Decorator, Facade, Composite, and Proxy.

5Treat 软件设计 cases as specification-reading: name missing data flows, keys/foreign keys, and the pattern the code skeleton implements.

6Do not skip 了解-level law and informatization items — 著作权法 moral-rights term and 计算机软件保护条例 (ideas not protected; copyright arises on completion) are short but scored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruankao Intermediate Software Designer qualification?

It is the Intermediate Software Designer subject (中级软件设计师) in the Computer Technology and Software Professional Qualification (Level) Examination (软考). Official 考试说明: https://www.ruankao.org.cn/article/content/bkzn/02_15.html. Passing confers the corresponding intermediate professional qualification (工程师 level).

How is the official exam structured and scored?

Two subjects are taken in one computer-based sitting totaling 240 minutes. 计算机与软件工程知识 is a choice paper (CBT 基础知识: maximum 120 minutes, minimum 90 minutes). Remaining time is 软件设计 (short-answer). Each subject is scored out of 75; both must reach 45 in the same sitting. Scores do not roll.

Who may sit the exam, and what does it cost?

There is no education or experience restriction under 国人部发〔2003〕39号. Fees are set by each province. Shenzhen/Guangdong charge RMB 73 per subject (深人考发〔2026〕7号 citing 粤发改价格函〔2024〕1073).

When are the 2026 sittings?

Software Designer is offered in both 2026 windows. Provincial notices implementing 计考办〔2026〕1号 place the sittings on 23–26 May 2026 and 24–27 October 2026. Register through https://www.ruankao.org.cn/.

Why are these practice questions in English?

The official exam is in Chinese (officialLanguages: zh) and 软件设计 is a written short-answer paper. This OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation of syllabus knowledge and design judgment. It is not an official translation, not a CBT simulation, and not a substitute for practicing Chinese 软件设计 write-ups.