An overview of application packages
Unit: Information Communication Technology
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Practice CPA Information Communication Technology An overview of application packages questions with detailed answers and explanations.
Access past exam questions by topic, improve your understanding, and download PDF for offline revision.
April 2026
2 Questions
Question 2
The Finance Director of Summer Manufacturing Ltd. wishes to enhance data-driven decision-making.
Required:
(a) Management reports have been inconsistent across departments.
Assess FOUR roles of standardised reporting templates and automated systems in improving data reliability.
(b) Summer Ltd. is considering migrating accounting systems to cloud-based platforms.
Citing TWO reasons, justify whether this decision would enhance or weaken financial governance.
(c) Evaluate THREE ways spreadsheet tools could be leveraged for financial forecasting, risk analysis and performance monitoring.
(d) The organisation is implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
Analyse THREE ways ERP integration could strengthen internal controls and financial transparency.
Question 1
(a) A recent system crash disrupted operations for two days.
(i) Explain TWO roles of system recovery planning.
(ii) Recommend TWO continuity mechanisms.
Rafiki Holdings is considering virtualisation to reduce infrastructure costs.
Assess FOUR benefits of implementing virtualised environments.
(C)
Analyse THREE ways in which ICT alignment with business strategy could create competitive advantage for Rafiki
Holdings.
(d)
The organisation is deciding between Windows Server and Linux Server environments.
Evaluate THREE critical operating system features that should influence this decision in an enterprise accounting
environment.
December 2025
11 Questions
Question 3c
Explain FIVE ways in which pivot tables are used in organisations.
Question 7c
Identify FIVE limitations of Goal Seek tool in spreadsheet.
Question 7a
Explain how you could eliminate the following types of errors while using a computerised accounting software:
(i) Transposition errors.
(ii) Reversal errors.
(iii) Error of duplication.
(iv) Error of omission.
(v) Error of original entry.
Question 6b
Using an example in each case, explain how you could use “Duplicate” and “Extend” features while using a
presentation software.
Question 6a
List TWO features of a word processing program.
Question 5c
The Accounting Department of ABC Housing Ltd. intends to set up an accounting software.
Required:
Examine FIVE stages involved in setting up an accounting software.
Question 5b
Describe FIVE ways in which you could use “Presenter View” on a presentation software.
Question 5a
Explain TWO benefits of thesaurus feature in word processing application.
Question 4a
List FOUR ways in which you could use “Conditional formatting” spreadsheet feature in business.
Question 3a
State THREE reasons why a small business requires an accounting software.
Question 2d
Using a practical scenario, explain how an accountant or a governance expert might use VLOOKUP function in
an area of operation.
August 2025
3 Questions
Question 6c
With reference to spreadsheet program features, explain the following:
(i) Automation and macros.
(ii) Data validation.
(iii) Data organisation.
(iv) Formulas and functions.
(v) Data visualisation.
Question 4a
With respect to graphics, distinguish between “block-based images” and “pixel based images”.
Question 2b
Summarise FOUR circumstances that may lead to the use of cropping tool in a word processing document.
April 2025
2 Questions
Question 4a
Explain the following validation terms:
(i) Presence check.
(ii) Range check.
(iii) Data type check.
Question 3c
Opiyo Odoyo wishes to create a presentation for his company’s annual general meeting (AGM). Opiyo Odoyo has
never created a presentation before using PowerPoint application.
Explain THREE ways that Opiyo Odoyo could use to create a new presentation in PowerPoint.
December 2024
4 Questions
Question 3
(a) Outline FOUR potential risks of using outdated software.
(b) Highlight FOUR environmental impacts of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in business.
(c) Discuss THREE roles of source document integration in computerised accounting systems.
(d) Examine SIX reasons why an operating system is deemed crucial for the proper functioning of a computer system.
Question 4
(a) Describe FOUR ways in which an information system supports decision-making within an organisation.
(b) Explain FOUR benefits of using goal seek in financial analysis.
(c) Examine THREE benefits of prototyping in identification and clarification of user requirements.
(d) Currently, the use of wireless data transmission media has increased. However, it still faces many challenges.
Evaluate THREE such challenges.
Question 6
(a) Outline TWO strategies to overcome each of the following challenges in electronic commerce:
(i) Security challenge.
(ii) High competition challenge.
(iii) High customer acquisition costs.
(iv) Challenges in maintaining customer trust.
(b) Identify FOUR features to look for when selecting an accounting software for use in an organisation.
(c) Highlight FOUR potential benefits of implementing Internet of Everything (IoE) in businesses.
(d) Examine FOUR benefits of conducting a post-implementation review (PIR) of an information system project.
Question 7
(a) Outline FOUR features that should be considered when choosing a presentation software.
(b) Distinguish between “incremental backup” and “differential backup”.
(c) Maureen Bett was required to outline system specifications to be used in a proposed information system.
Describe THREE typical contents of the specification document.
(d) Citing an example in each case, explain THREE methods of linking worksheets in a spreadsheet.
August 2024
4 Questions
Question 3
(a) Highlight THREE important factors to consider when choosing a network topology.
(b) An organisation processes and stores large volumes of data in an information system.
Explain THREE data security goals that the organisation might aim to achieve in the above scenario.
(c) (i) Examine TWO challenges of e-commerce infrastructure.
(ii) Describe FOUR ways that could be used to secure an e-commerce infrastructure.
(d) Using an appropriate scenario, demonstrate how you would solve a business problem using spreadsheet solver.
Question 6
(a) Outline THREE characteristics of mobile cloud computing application.
(b) Explain FOUR services offered by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
(c) Highlight FOUR circumstances that would necessitate an organisation to use mail merge feature in a word
processing program.
(d) List FOUR disadvantages of prototyping in systems analysis and design.
(e) Describe FIVE major activities of an operating system with regard to process management.
Question 5
(a) State TWO factors that determine the choice of data collection method.
(b) List THREE deliverables produced during the systems analysis phase of an information system development.
(c) Examine THREE ways that prototyping helps to identify and clarify user requirements.
(d) Giving TWO examples in each case, differentiate between an “application suite” and an “integrated software”.
(e) Examine THREE factors that could be used to determine the capabilities of a data transmission medium.
Question 2
(a) Explain TWO benefits of using pivot tables in a spreadsheet software.
(b) Outline FOUR applications of mobile computing in the financial sector.
(c) Describe FOUR ways in which the Internet of Things (IoT) impacts our daily lives.
(d) Examine FOUR ways on how an organisation should handle sensitive data in order to ensure confidentiality,
prevent unauthorised access and data misuse.
April 2024
3 Questions
Question 4
(a) Describe TWO reasons that would necessitate the use of water mark on a word processing document.
(b) Explain FOUR circumstances when batch operating system would be most appropriate.
(c) Explain THREE types of feasibility studies that are conducted during the development of an information system.
(d) Highlight SIX challenges of e-commerce in developing countries.
Question 6
(a) Explain TWO reasons for multi-booting.
(b) Implementation is an importance phase in the development of an information system.
Describe THREE activities carried out in this phase.
(c) Business owners looking to manage financial data tend to embrace two primary options; spreadsheets and accounting software.
Evaluate THREE reasons why businesses prefer using accounting softwares.
(d) Explain THREE differences between “word processing software” and “desktop publishing software”.
Question 3
(a) An increase in online data processing has led to increased rate of computer crimes.
Describe THREE control measures that could be put in place to reduce computer crime rate in organisations.
(b) Explain THREE circumstances that would necessitate the use of pilot approach during system change over.
(c) Explain the following functions as used in spreadsheet application:
(i) SUMIF.
(ii) PMT.
(d) An organisation installed an inhouse developed application software to support their operations.
State FOUR advantages they would gain by using this software.
December 2023
5 Questions
Question 2
(a) Citing TWO examples, explain the term “mobile operating system”.
(b) Using an example, explain the use of the “IF” function in a spreadsheet application.
(c) Explain THREE ways in which a transaction processing system helps in improving operations of an organisation.
(d) Analyse THREE factors that should be considered when creating a computer network.
Question 7
(a) Highlight TWO bookkeeping capabilities of a computerised accounting software.
(b) Explain FOUR application areas of “What if” analysis feature in spreadsheet application.
(c) Outline SIX hindrances to the adoption and success of voice user interface technology.
(d) Discuss FOUR ways in which an organisation could optimise the use of information systems to ensure improved productivity in a functional perspective.
Question 6
(a) Explain the term “proofreading” as used in a word processing program.
(b) State the unit of measuring a computer’s clock speed, RAM size, Hard disk size and monitor size.
(c) Discuss THREE challenges associated with the use of external hard drives.
(d) Examine FOUR legal issues associated with the use of information systems.
Question 4
(a) Explain TWO circumstances that would necessitate the use of speaker notes during a presentation.
(b) Baraka Company limited networked their computers to enhance their operations.
Outline FOUR methods they could use to maintain security for their information in the network.
(c) Explain THREE ethical issues related to e-commerce for a business organisation.
(d) Justify with THREE reasons why an organisation would install a tailor-made software.
Question 1
(a) Highlight TWO benefits of linking worksheets in a spreadsheet program.
(b) Outline FOUR qualities of a good system documentation.
(c) Explain THREE desirable features of e-commerce websites that could enable customers find products quickly.
(d) Examine FOUR challenges associated with cloud storage.
August 2023
3 Questions
Question 1
(a) Explain how the following elements affect the processing power of a computer:
(i) Cache memory.
(ii) Data bus.
(iii) Type of processor.
(b) List FOUR limitations of star network topology.
(c) Highlight FOUR salient features of a Computerised Accounting Software (CAS).
(d) Outline SIX advantages of a pivot table report.
Question 2b
Explain the significance of the following FIVE features of a presentation program.
Question 4
(a) Distinguish between “Executive Support System (ESS)” and “Decision Support System (DSS)”.
(b) Highlight SIX advantages of Conditional Formatting in a spreadsheet program.
(c) Explain THREE components of a computer network.
(d) Analyse SIX benefits of developing a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).
April 2023
1 Questions
Question 2c
David Omondi is the owner of a Home Appliances shop at the Douala Branch. Details of items sold by him during the month of March 2023 were given below:
| A | B | C |
| ITEMS | BRAND | SALES PRICE |
| COLOUR TV WASHING MACHINE REFRIDGERATOR WASHING MACHINE COLOUR TV REFRIDGERATOR WASHING MACHINE COLOUR TV | SAMSUNG LG WHIRLPOOL LG WHIRLPOOL SAMSUNG SAMSUNG LG | 28,000 23,000 24,000 22,000 35,000 25,000 22,000 20,000 |
Required:
Explain the steps required to prepare a pivot table with the above information to show the sales for each brand using a spreadsheet application such as LibreOffice Cac. Use proper cell references in your explanation.
December 2022
2 Questions
Question 6a
(i) Highlight features of a presentation program that are not available in a word processing program.
(ii) Explain contexts in which one would need to use a presentation program instead of a word processing program.
Question 4a
Differentiate between an “accounting package” and a “spreadsheet” based on the following features:
(i) Report generation.
(ii) Audit trail.
August 2022
5 Questions
Question 1
(a) Suggest the ethical issues resulting from each of the following technological trends:
(i) Doubling of computing power every eighteen (18) months.
(ii) Rapidly declining data storage costs.
(iii) Advances in networking and the internet.
(b) Outline four characteristics of an open system.
(c) Describe five moral dimensions of information systems.
(d) Outline three measurers that you could include in your business continuity plan.
(e) Explain the purpose of HLOOKUP as used in spreadsheet applications.
Question 2
(a) Giving an example in each case, differentiate between technological convergence and digital convergence as used in information technology communication.
(b) XYZ Company Ltd. intends to develop an information system for its operations.
Outline three strategies that the board could put in place to ensure the success of this project.
(c) A manager in an entertaining industry intends to use data driven decision support system to design a new product.
Outline three characteristics that the system should possess.
(d) Suggest how a business could overcome each of the following e-commerce challenges.
(i) Payment fraud.
(ii) Lack of visitors to the business website.
(iii) Theft of customer information.
(e) Using an illustration, explain a pivot table as used in spreadsheet applications.
Question 3
(a) Formulate four questions that would enable you to conduct stakeholder analysis in system development.
(b) Explain the bookmark feature in the context of the internet browsing.
(c) Identify the type of cell referencing used in the spreadsheet expressions below:
(i) =RANK($C$3 : $A$10,0)
(ii) =SUM(A$3 : A12)
(d) Differentiate between sorting and filtering as used in worksheet data management.
(e) Differentiate between proofreading and formatting a document as used in word processing.
(f) A comprehensive backup plan is an essential tool for information security for the entire organisation. Not only should
the data on the corporate servers be backed up, but individual computers used throughout the organisation should also be
backed up.
With reference to the above statement, discuss three components of a good backup plan.
(g) Explain each of the following terms as used in internet:
(i) Cookies.
(ii) Blog.
Question 4
(a) Citing three reasons, explain the importance of requirements gathering in system development.
(b) Justify why an information system is considered as an intellectual property.
(c) Explain the following features of a presentation package:
(i) Transition effects.
(ii) Speaker notes.
(iii) Templates.
(d) The organisation where you work intends to set up a local area network.
Advise your management team on three hardware components required to accomplish the above task.
(e) Outline four factors that could be used when selecting the best software development methodology for a specific project.
Question 5
(a) Explain six reasons that would cause an information system project to fail during the implementation stage.
(b) In each of the following, explain how a spreadsheet program is used:
(i) Accounting.
(ii) Forecasting.
(c) Describe each of the following ethical issues in regard to computer technology:
(i) Trade marks.
(ii) Patent rights.
(d) Most organisations align their information systems functions to their business strategic plan.
Explain three benefits of this alignment.
April 2022
3 Questions
Question 2
(a) ABC Ltd. has opted to adopta decision support system in the restructure of its business processes.
Required:
(i) State three moral dimensions the company would consider from this move.
(ii) Outline three legal issues the company is likely to consider from this move.
(b) Outline four possible causes of ICT project failure during system implementation.
(c) (i) Explain the term "requirement elicitation" in relation to software development.
(ii) Explain two "requirements Elicitation" techniques.
(d) Highlight four features of a word processing of application package.
Question 3
(a) Discuss six reasons why a computer operating system is considered as a resource manager.
(b) It is possible to lose a laptop, a mobile phone or a flash disk.
Discuss four ways you could protect the data in your device to minimise data breach.
(c) The Tangaza County Government intends to establish information centres.
Explain two services that are likely to be offered at the centres.
(d) State two challenges of using computerised accounting software in an organisation.
Question 1
(a) Explain five factors to consider when selecting a spreadsheet software.
(b) Explain the following terms as applied to data security in e-commerce.
(i) Privacy.
(ii) Integrity.
(iii) Authentication.
(iv) Non-repudiation.
(c) (i) Outline two advantages of a professional code of ethics.
(ii) Highlight two drawbacks of a professional code of ethics.
(d) Examine three impacts of the internet on the education sector.
December 2021
4 Questions
Question 7
(a) Describe each of the following types of information systems as used in organisations:
(i) Transaction processing system.
(ii) Management reporting system.
(iii) Decision support system.
(b) XYZ Company Ltd. intends to implement a new information system.
Explain three organisational factors that should be considered to ensure success of the system.
(c) Explain three types of applications of Internet of Things (IoT) in the government sector.
(d) Outline two features of a word processing program.
Question 6
(a) Evaluate the impact of the internet on the following competitive forces:
(i) Threat of new entrants.
(ii) Suppliers' bargaining power.
(iii) Customers' bargaining power.
(iv) Substitute products or services.
(b) Outline eight activities carried out during systems analysis.
(c) Using an example, demonstrate how you would use a formula to link data between two worksheets.
Question 5
(a) Describe five challenges associated with the use of internet.
(b) (i) Define the term "system" in the context of information systems.
(ii) Distinguish between "physical systems" and "abstract systems".
(c) (i) Describe the job of a Systems Analyst.
(ii) Outline five tasks performed by a Systems Analyst.
(d) Study the worksheet given below and answer the questions that follow:
 |
Required:
(i) Interpret the function displayed in cell G1.
(ii) State the value to be displayed in cell G1 on execution of the function.
(e) Veronica would like to display the progress of her project to a panel of examiners usinga presentation application.
Outline two ways in which she could display her presentation in slide show mode.
Question 4
(a) Highlight four characteristics of Internet of Things (loT).
(b) Propose four duties of an information centre in an organisation.
(c) ABC Transport company has opted to train its users before a new system is implemented.
Suggest four benefits of training users before implementing a new information system.
(d) Outline four advantages of using joint application design (JAD) technique in the design of an information system.
(e) (i) Define "cell referencing" in the context of spreadsheet applications.
(ii) Using an example, explain one type of cell referencing.