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Key Facts: GCE A/L General Information Technology Exam

40 MCQs

Official online computerized test length

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

1 hour

Exam time duration

doenets.lk

Grade S+

Passing standard (Ordinary Pass or above)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Grade 12

Target student grade level across all streams

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

3 Languages

Sinhala, Tamil, and English testing mediums

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

100 Qs

Complete practice bank items available

Open Exam Prep

The Sri Lanka GCE A/L General Information Technology (GIT) exam is a 1-hour, 40-question computerized online multiple-choice test conducted by the Department of Examinations for Grade 12 students across all academic streams. Testing core digital literacy—hardware, operating systems, data representation, networking, productivity tools, databases, and algorithms—it awards grades A, B, C, S, or F. This independent 100-question practice bank covers every syllabus domain with detailed explanations for every option.

Sample GCE A/L General Information Technology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE A/L General Information Technology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which component of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is specifically responsible for performing mathematical calculations and logical comparisons?
A.Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
B.Control Unit (CU)
C.Registers
D.System Clock
Explanation: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs all arithmetic operations, such as addition and subtraction, as well as logical evaluations including AND, OR, and NOT comparisons. The Control Unit directs the flow of instructions, while registers provide temporary high-speed storage. The system clock synchronizes operations across the processor.
2Why is Random Access Memory (RAM) classified as volatile memory?
A.It requires optical discs to read stored data
B.It loses all stored data immediately when electrical power is switched off
C.Its contents cannot be modified once written by the manufacturer
D.It stores data permanently on magnetic platters
Explanation: RAM requires continuous electrical power to maintain its stored bits, meaning all contents are cleared when the computer is shut down. Non-volatile storage, such as ROM or hard drives, retains data even when power is removed. This distinction makes RAM suited for holding active working data rather than persistent files.
3What is the primary role of the Control Unit (CU) within the CPU during instruction processing?
A.To store user files and documents while the computer is turned off
B.To decode instructions and generate timing signals that direct the flow of data
C.To execute mathematical addition and bit-shifting routines
D.To convert digital signals into analog display output for the monitor
Explanation: The Control Unit acts as the supervisor of the processor by fetching instructions from memory, decoding them into micro-operations, and sending control signals to other components. It coordinates the actions of the ALU, registers, and buses throughout the machine cycle. It does not compute arithmetic results or display graphics directly.
4In computer bus architecture, which characteristic correctly differentiates the address bus from the data bus?
A.The address bus carries program data, whereas the data bus transmits timing pulses
B.The address bus is bidirectional, whereas the data bus travels in only one direction
C.The address bus is unidirectional (CPU to memory/devices), whereas the data bus is bidirectional
D.The address bus connects only to external printers, whereas the data bus connects to RAM
Explanation: The address bus is unidirectional because the CPU initiates memory access by asserting the physical memory address where data must be read or written. In contrast, the data bus is bidirectional because data must travel from memory into the CPU during read operations and from the CPU to memory during write operations. The control bus handles command and timing signals.
5Which of the following devices is classified as secondary storage in a personal computer system?
A.Solid State Drive (SSD)
B.Cache memory
C.Accumulator register
D.Random Access Memory (RAM)
Explanation: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a secondary storage medium that retains data even when power is removed. Cache, registers, and RAM are all primary memory components integrated closely with the CPU for immediate processing. Secondary storage provides high capacity and persistence at lower operational speeds.
6What is the key technological distinction between a Solid State Drive (SSD) and a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?
A.SSDs require optical lasers to burn pits onto reflective discs, whereas HDDs use flash memory
B.HDDs operate with zero latency and consume less power than SSDs under all conditions
C.SSDs are volatile and lose data when powered off, whereas HDDs are non-volatile
D.SSDs store data using non-volatile flash memory chips without moving parts, whereas HDDs rely on rotating magnetic platters and mechanical read/write heads
Explanation: SSDs use semiconductor NAND flash memory, eliminating moving mechanical components and offering faster access times, shock resistance, and silent operation. HDDs rely on spinning magnetic platters and motorized actuator arms, making them vulnerable to mechanical failure and slower in random read/write tasks. Both media are non-volatile storage solutions.
7How does Level 1 (L1) cache differ from Level 3 (L3) cache in modern multi-core microprocessors?
A.L1 cache is smaller, located directly inside each core, and operates at core clock speed, while L3 cache is larger, shared across cores, and slightly slower
B.L1 cache is stored on secondary magnetic media, whereas L3 cache is built using DRAM chips
C.L1 cache is shared by all cores on the motherboard, whereas L3 cache is dedicated to the arithmetic logic unit
D.L1 cache holds gigabytes of data, whereas L3 cache is restricted to several kilobytes
Explanation: L1 cache is the fastest and smallest memory buffer, embedded within each CPU core to deliver single-cycle instruction and data fetches. L3 cache is significantly larger (often several megabytes) and shared among all processor cores on the die to prevent redundant accesses to main RAM. This tiered design balances access speed, silicon area, and manufacturing cost.
8Which input device is commonly used in national examinations to automatically capture responses marked in designated bubbles on paper forms?
A.Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)
B.Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
C.Optical Character Reader (OCR)
D.Barcode Reader
Explanation: Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology detects the presence or absence of dark pencil or pen marks at predefined positions on examination answer sheets. It rapidly scans objective multiple-choice answer forms with exceptional accuracy. MICR is used for bank checks, and OCR recognizes alphanumeric text characters.
9What does a CPU clock speed rating of 3.2 GHz indicate about the processor?
A.The processor can store up to 3.2 gigabytes of active operating system files
B.The computer can transmit 3.2 gigabits of network data per second over Wi-Fi
C.The internal clock oscillates at approximately 3.2 billion cycles per second
D.The processor contains exactly 3.2 million micro-transistors
Explanation: Clock speed is measured in Hertz, where 1 Gigahertz (GHz) represents one billion cycles per second. A 3.2 GHz CPU generates 3.2 billion synchronization pulses every second to drive the fetch-decode-execute machine cycles. While higher clock speeds generally enable faster execution, overall performance also depends on architecture, core count, and cache.
10In the CPU machine cycle, what is the specific role of the Program Counter (PC) register?
A.It stores the current instruction while it is being decoded by the control unit
B.It records the total count of errors encountered during program compilation
C.It keeps track of the running total of mathematical calculations
D.It holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched and executed
Explanation: The Program Counter (PC) holds the memory address of the next instruction waiting to be retrieved from main memory. As soon as the current instruction is fetched, the PC automatically increments to point to the subsequent sequential instruction, unless redirected by a jump or branch command. The Instruction Register (IR) holds the fetched instruction itself.

About the GCE A/L General Information Technology Exam

The General Information Technology (GIT) examination is a nationwide assessment conducted by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, for Grade 12 students across all academic streams (Physical Science, Biological Science, Commerce, Arts, and Technology). Introduced to ensure baseline digital literacy, the examination tests fundamental computer concepts including hardware architecture, operating systems, binary representation and Boolean logic, computer networking, cybersecurity, office productivity suites, relational databases, flowcharting, algorithms, and fundamental web development. Administered as an online computerized test since 2019, GIT provides secondary school students with an officially certified benchmark of technological competency before tertiary education or vocational training.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The General Information Technology examination is conducted online. Paper I consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, each with four options, carrying 40 marks. Paper II is a practical component carrying 60 marks. The time allocated for Paper I and Paper II together is three hours.

Time Limit

3 hours for Paper I and Paper II combined

Passing Score

Grade S or higher (scale: Distinction (A), Very Good (B), Credit (C), Ordinary Pass (S), Fail (F))

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Hardware and System Architecture

CPU components (ALU, CU, registers), system bus architecture, primary and secondary memory hierarchies, peripheral I/O devices, and system performance factors.

15%

Software and Operating Systems

Operating system functions, process and memory management, file systems, utility tools, system versus application software, and proprietary vs open-source software.

15%

Data Representation and Logic

Binary, octal, and hexadecimal number conversions, character encodings (ASCII, Unicode), truth tables, and fundamental logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR).

20%

Networking, Internet, and Cybersecurity

Network topologies, LAN/WAN configurations, TCP/IP fundamentals, DNS, web protocols, malware threats, phishing, authentication, data privacy, and digital ethics.

20%

Office Productivity and Databases

Word processing formatting, spreadsheet modeling and functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP), database tables, primary keys, simple queries, and presentation software.

10%

Algorithms and Web Fundamentals

Algorithm design using pseudocode, flowchart symbols (sequence, selection, repetition), basic HTML elements, and core CSS styling properties.

Preparing for the GCE A/L General Information Technology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher (scale: Distinction (A), Very Good (B), Credit (C), Ordinary Pass (S), Fail (F))
  • Assessment: The General Information Technology examination is conducted online. Paper I consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, each with four options, carrying 40 marks. Paper II is a practical component carrying 60 marks. The time allocated for Paper I and Paper II together is three hours.
  • Time limit: 3 hours for Paper I and Paper II combined
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GCE A/L General Information Technology: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master base conversions between binary, decimal, octal, and hexadecimal by practicing powers of two and grouping bit sequences into sets of three or four.
2Understand Boolean logic and truth tables thoroughly; practice breaking compound logic expressions into intermediate steps for NAND, NOR, and XOR gates.
3Practice spreadsheet formulas hands-on, focusing on absolute versus relative cell references ($A$1 vs A1) and common functions like IF, SUM, AVERAGE, and VLOOKUP.
4Know the distinction between system software (operating systems, device drivers, utilities) and application software, as well as proprietary versus open-source licensing models.
5Review networking basics: understand the roles of routers, switches, IP addresses, subnet masks, DNS resolution, and standard protocol ports like HTTP and HTTPS.
6Trace flowchart execution and pseudocode line-by-line with sample input values to accurately determine variable values after loops and conditional branches.
7Familiarize yourself with basic HTML tag hierarchy (<html>, <head>, <title>, <body>, <h1>-<h6>, <p>, <a>, <img>, <table>) and elementary CSS syntax.
8Simulate timed 40-question practice runs to ensure you comfortably allocate no more than 90 seconds per question during the 1-hour computerized exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sri Lanka GCE A/L GIT examination?

General Information Technology (GIT) is a national qualifying examination held for Grade 12 students in Sri Lanka across all educational streams to assess and certify foundational ICT literacy.

How is the GIT exam administered?

Since 2019, the Department of Examinations conducts GIT as a computerized online test using school computer facilities and designated testing centers across Sri Lanka.

How many questions are on the official GIT exam?

The official online GIT examination consists of 40 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 1 hour (60 minutes). This practice bank offers 100 questions for extended study.

What is the grading scale for the GIT examination?

Results are awarded using standard Sri Lankan letter grades: Distinction (A), Very Good (B), Credit (C), Ordinary Pass (S), and Fail (F). Achieving Grade S or higher constitutes a passing mark.

Does GIT affect the GCE A/L university Z-score?

No. The GIT result is certified separately on a candidate's GCE A/L certificate and is not factored into the university admission Z-score calculation, but it serves as valuable proof of IT competency.

In what languages is the GIT examination available?

Candidates may take the official examination in any of Sri Lanka's three national mediums of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

Who is eligible to take the GIT exam?

All Grade 12 students enrolled in government, semi-government, or registered private schools, as well as approved private candidates who have completed secondary schooling.

Is there an examination fee for school candidates?

No. Regular school candidates sitting for the examination through their schools are not charged an examination fee by the Department of Examinations.