Free DSST Management Information Systems Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the DSST Management Information Systems practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1What hardware change distinguished IBM's 7090 from earlier vacuum-tube computers in its 700 series?

   1. A.Transistors replaced vacuum tubes.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Integrated circuits replaced transistors.
   3. C.Microprocessors replaced integrated circuits.
   4. D.Vacuum tubes replaced electromechanical relays.

   Explanation: IBM states that the 7090 "featured transistors instead of vacuum tubes." This identifies the component transition in that series.

   Reference: IBM 700 Series — IBM 700 Series, concluding paragraph

2. 2How did users commonly interact with early MS-DOS PCs?

   1. A.By typing commands at a command lineCorrect answer: A
   2. B.By selecting icons on a touch screen
   3. C.By making voice requests to a digital assistant
   4. D.By dragging objects in a graphical desktop

   Explanation: Microsoft explains, "Back in the early years of the PC industry, most computers were operated entirely by typing commands into the command-line." It describes MS-DOS as a prominent PC operating system of that period.

   Reference: The Evolution of the Windows Command-Line — From humble beginnings – MS-DOS

3. 3In computer network terminology, what does the term node mean?

   1. A.A device connected to a networkCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A rule for exchanging data between devices
   3. C.A physical or logical route between devices
   4. D.A numerical address assigned to a device

   Explanation: Intel defines a node as "Any device connected to a network." A protocol is a rule for communication; the other choices describe different computing concepts.

   Reference: Intel Education: The Journey Inside Glossary — Glossary, node

4. 4In electronic commerce, which transaction is classified as business-to-business?

   1. A.A manufacturer purchases parts from a supplier.Correct answer: A
   2. B.A retailer sells goods to an individual consumer.
   3. C.An individual sells a used item to another individual.
   4. D.An individual offers a design to a company.

   Explanation: IBM explains, "B2B e-commerce refers to transactions between businesses." A manufacturer purchasing from a supplier involves two businesses.

   Reference: What is e-commerce? — Primary types of e-commerce, Business-to-business

5. 5What is a defining characteristic of a system?

   1. A.Related components interact to accomplish functions.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Components operate independently without interaction.
   3. C.A system consists only of its external environment.
   4. D.A system's purpose is unrelated to its components.

   Explanation: NASA defines a system as "an organized group of related components that work together to carry out functions that the individual parts cannot do alone." Relationships among components are central to the concept.

   Reference: Systems and System Models — Systems and System Models

6. 6In an entity-relationship model, what does an attribute represent?

   1. A.A property of an entityCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A connection between two entities
   3. C.A complete collection of entities
   4. D.A unique identifier for each entity instance

   Explanation: Oracle identifies "the properties of these things (attributes)" in entity-relationship modeling. For example, a customer's name is a property of the customer entity.

   Reference: Oracle Database Data Warehousing Guide: Logical Design — Creating a Logical Design

7. 7What is the main purpose of organizational knowledge management?

   1. A.Identify, organize, store, and disseminate knowledgeCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Record only completed financial transactions
   3. C.Restrict knowledge exchange to its original creator
   4. D.Control only access to physical computing equipment

   Explanation: IBM defines knowledge management as "the process of identifying, organizing, storing and disseminating information within an organization." It makes organizational knowledge available for use.

   Reference: What Is Knowledge Management? — What is knowledge management?

8. 8Which principle is associated with agile software development?

   1. A.Welcome changing requirements, even late in development.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Freeze every requirement before any development begins.
   3. C.Measure progress only by the amount of documentation.
   4. D.Avoid delivery until the entire project is complete.

   Explanation: The Agile Manifesto principles say, "Welcome changing requirements, even late in development." Agile teams accommodate change rather than treating an initial plan as permanently fixed.

   Reference: Principles behind the Agile Manifesto — Agile principles, second principle

9. 9Which management level typically needs information to coordinate repeatable day-to-day business operations?

   1. A.Operational managementCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Strategic portfolio management
   3. C.Corporate governance oversight
   4. D.Long-term investment planning

   Explanation: IBM states that an operations manager establishes "measurable, repeatable day-to-day operations that align with high-level strategic goals." This is an operational management function.

   Reference: What is operations management? — Operations management, defined

10. 10What was a significant design idea behind Intel's early 4004 microprocessor?

    1. A.The same chip required physical rewiring to change tasks.
    2. B.A general-purpose chip could be programmed for different functions.Correct answer: B
    3. C.The chip was limited to one factory-installed task.
    4. D.Program code changed the chip's physical transistor connections.

    Explanation: Intel describes "a general-purpose chip that could be mass produced and then programmed through its software to perform specific functions". This allowed software to determine a chip's function rather than requiring a custom chip for each use.

    Reference: Announcing a New Era of Integrated Electronics — The Intel 4004, fourth paragraph