(Objective and Essay) 2026/2027 Edition
Time Allowed: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Total: 100 Marks (Objective: 60 Marks, Essay: 40 Marks)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is a 100 percent original practice examination created for study and revision purposes only. It is set strictly in line with the current NECO Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs and Maintenance syllabus and examination format. It is NOT an actual NECO past question, does not reproduce any official NECO examination content, and does not claim to predict any future NECO paper. Candidates and teachers should use this material solely as a mock test to aid preparation and self-assessment.
General Instructions
1. This paper is divided into two sections: Section A (Objective) and Section B (Essay).
2. Answer ALL questions in Section A and FOUR questions in Section B.
3. Write your answers in a clear, legible manner in the answer booklet provided.
4. Read all instructions carefully before attempting any question.
5. Calculators, textbooks, and unauthorised materials are not permitted in the examination hall.
SECTION A: OBJECTIVE TEST QUESTIONS (60 MARKS)
1. Computer hardware refers to
A. the set of instructions that run a computer
B. the physical and tangible parts of a computer system
C. the operating system only
D. the internet connection of a computer
2. Which of the following is an input device?
A. Monitor
B. Printer
C. Keyboard
D. Speaker
3. The brain of the computer is the
A. RAM
B. CPU
C. Hard disk
D. Motherboard
4. Which of these is a volatile memory?
A. ROM
B. Hard disk
C. RAM
D. Flash drive
5. The main circuit board that connects all computer components is called the
A. power supply unit
B. motherboard
C. expansion card
D. heat sink
6. Which tool is used to remove and tighten small screws when disassembling a computer?
A. Soldering iron
B. Screwdriver
C. Multimeter
D. Crimping tool
7. An anti-static wrist strap is used mainly to
A. increase computer speed
B. protect components from electrostatic discharge
C. clean the monitor screen
D. connect the printer to the computer
8. Which of the following is a secondary storage device?
A. RAM
B. Cache memory
C. Hard disk drive
D. Register
9. The power supply unit (PSU) in a computer is responsible for
A. processing data
B. converting AC power to DC power for internal components
C. storing data permanently
D. displaying images on the screen
10. Which of these connectors is commonly used to connect a monitor to a computer?
A. RJ45
B. HDMI
C. RJ11
D. PS/2 mouse port
11. A GSM phone’s motherboard is also known as the
A. PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
B. SIM tray
C. battery connector
D. charging port
12. Which component in a GSM phone converts electrical signals into sound?
A. Microphone
B. Speaker
C. Vibrator motor
D. Antenna
13. The IMEI number on a mobile phone is used to
A. identify the network provider
B. uniquely identify the device on a mobile network
C. store contacts
D. increase battery life
14. Which tool is essential for detaching a phone’s IC chips during repair?
A. Hot air rework station
B. Screwdriver
C. SIM ejector pin
D. USB cable
15. A common cause of a phone not powering on is a
A. faulty battery or power IC
B. correctly installed SIM card
C. full battery charge
D. properly working charging port
16. Which multimeter setting is used to check for continuity in a circuit?
A. Voltage (DC)
B. Continuity/buzzer mode
C. Current (AC)
D. Resistance in megaohms only
17. The component responsible for boosting a weak network signal in a phone is the
A. power amplifier (PA)
B. vibrator motor
C. loudspeaker
D. camera module
18. Which of the following is a common software-related fault in GSM phones?
A. Cracked screen
B. Hanging or freezing of the phone
C. Broken charging port
D. Damaged battery connector
19. Flashing a phone refers to
A. taking a photograph with the phone
B. reinstalling or updating the phone’s firmware/operating system
C. charging the phone battery fully
D. cleaning the phone’s screen
20. Which of these is used to hold small phone components in place while soldering?
A. Tweezers
B. Hammer
C. Wire stripper
D. Wrench
21. The full meaning of GSM is
A. Global System for Mobile Communication
B. General Signal Management
C. Global Software Manufacturing
D. General System Maintenance
22. Which of the following best describes a short circuit in a phone?
A. A break in the circuit path preventing current flow
B. An unintended connection between two points causing excess current flow
C. Normal flow of current through a resistor
D. A fully charged battery
23. The device used to measure voltage, current, and resistance in electronic circuits is the
A. oscilloscope
B. multimeter
C. soldering iron
D. screwdriver
24. Which of the following is NOT a common computer hardware fault?
A. Faulty RAM
B. Dead power supply
C. Corrupted antivirus signature file
D. Overheating CPU
25. A computer that fails to boot and produces a series of beep sounds is likely indicating
A. a software update in progress
B. a hardware fault detected by the BIOS/POST
C. successful startup
D. a printer error
26. The abbreviation POST in computer hardware stands for
A. Power On Self Test
B. Personal Operating System Test
C. Program On Storage Track
D. Peripheral Output Signal Transfer
27. Which of the following components stores the BIOS settings even when the computer is off?
A. CMOS battery
B. RAM
C. Hard disk
D. Graphics card
28. Overheating in a computer system can be reduced by
A. blocking the ventilation holes
B. installing an efficient cooling fan or heat sink
C. removing the CPU fan
D. covering the case with cloth
29. Which of these is a common symptom of a failing hard disk drive?
A. Faster boot time
B. Frequent clicking noise and slow data access
C. Increased storage capacity
D. Brighter display
30. The process of formatting a hard disk means
A. physically damaging the disk
B. preparing the disk by setting up a file system for data storage
C. increasing the disk’s physical size
D. charging the disk battery
31. Which type of RAM is commonly used in modern desktop computers as of recent years?
A. DDR4/DDR5
B. SDRAM only
C. VRAM only
D. Cache only
32. A dead phone battery that cannot hold charge should be
A. replaced with a compatible new battery
B. left inside the phone permanently
C. charged with a higher voltage charger
D. exposed to heat to revive it
33. Which of the following best describes ‘jumpering’ a phone’s power button fault?
A. Bridging the power button contact points on the PCB to power the phone directly
B. Replacing the phone’s screen
C. Installing a new operating system
D. Charging the phone using solar power
34. The tool used to melt solder and join electronic components is the
A. multimeter
B. soldering iron
C. screwdriver
D. SIM ejector pin
35. Which of these safety precautions should be observed when repairing electronic devices?
A. Working with wet hands
B. Disconnecting power supply before repair
C. Ignoring the use of protective tools
D. Using excessive force on delicate components
36. A common cause of a computer ‘blue screen of death’ (BSOD) is
A. hardware or driver conflicts
B. a fully updated antivirus
C. a clean operating system installation
D. a new mouse being connected
37. Which port is commonly used to connect external storage devices like flash drives to a computer?
A. VGA port
B. USB port
C. Audio jack
D. Ethernet port
38. The term ‘firmware’ refers to
A. software permanently programmed into a hardware device
B. a type of computer virus
C. a physical hardware component
D. a network cable
39. Which of the following is a common GSM phone display fault?
A. White screen or no display after a fall
B. Fully functional touch response
C. Correct battery percentage display
D. Clear audio during calls
40. The SIM card in a GSM phone mainly stores
A. subscriber identity information and network authentication data
B. the phone’s operating system
C. installed applications
D. camera images only
41. Which of these is used to test if a phone’s charging port is functional?
A. Multimeter or known working charger and cable
B. Screwdriver
C. Hammer
D. Wire cutter
42. A computer virus is best described as
A. a physical hardware fault
B. a malicious program that can replicate and damage data or systems
C. a type of RAM
D. a network cable fault
43. Which of the following expansion slots is commonly used for graphics cards in modern computers?
A. PCIe
B. PS/2
C. RJ11
D. VGA
44. In GSM repairs, ‘ways’ or ‘lines’ on a PCB refer to
A. the copper tracks that carry electrical signals between components
B. the physical dimensions of the phone
C. the phone’s color scheme
D. the SIM card slots
45. Which of the following is a preventive maintenance practice for computers?
A. Regular cleaning of dust from internal components
B. Never updating software
C. Leaving the computer uncovered in a dusty environment
D. Ignoring unusual noises from the fan
46. The term ‘bricked phone’ refers to a phone that
A. is fully functional
B. has become completely unresponsive, usually due to a failed software flash
C. has a new battery installed
D. has excellent network reception
47. Which of the following best describes ESD?
A. Electronic Storage Device
B. Electrostatic Discharge
C. External Signal Driver
D. Electrical System Diagnostics
48. A laptop that shuts down unexpectedly during use may be experiencing
A. optimal cooling performance
B. overheating or battery/power fault
C. a fully charged battery with no issues
D. normal operating behaviour
49. Which of these tools is used to check network connectivity issues in a phone during repair?
A. Network test box/signal tester
B. Screwdriver
C. Soldering paste
D. Wire cutter
50. The recommended first step before opening a computer system unit for repair is to
A. leave it plugged into power
B. switch off and unplug the power supply
C. remove the operating system
D. increase the fan speed
51. Which of the following is a common cause of a phone’s touchscreen not responding?
A. Faulty touch digitizer or loose flex cable connection
B. Fully charged battery
C. Strong network signal
D. New SIM card installation
52. The term ‘chip-level repair’ in GSM servicing refers to
A. replacing the entire phone
B. repairing or replacing individual components/ICs on the circuit board
C. only replacing the phone case
D. formatting the phone’s memory card
53. Which of the following best describes RAM in a computer system?
A. Permanent storage that retains data without power
B. Temporary memory used to store data currently being processed
C. A type of printer
D. An input device
54. Which of these is a common indicator that a computer’s power supply unit has failed?
A. Computer starts normally every time
B. Computer does not power on at all or restarts randomly
C. Faster processing speed
D. Brighter monitor display
55. In phone repair, ‘reballing’ refers to the process of
A. replacing the solder balls under a BGA chip such as the power IC or CPU
B. replacing the phone’s screen glass
C. charging the phone battery
D. cleaning the phone’s exterior casing
56. Which of the following network generations came after 3G?
A. 2G
B. 4G
C. 1G
D. GPRS
57. A common cause of poor call quality in a GSM phone is a faulty
A. microphone or earpiece speaker
B. camera lens
C. charging port cover
D. SIM tray ejector pin
58. Which of the following describes the function of a computer’s cooling fan?
A. To store data
B. To dissipate heat and prevent overheating of components
C. To increase RAM capacity
D. To connect to the internet
59. Before troubleshooting any electronic fault, a technician should first
A. dismantle the device completely without inspection
B. carry out a visual inspection and gather information about the fault
C. apply excessive heat to all components
D. replace all components at once
60. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a diagnostic test on a computer or phone before repair?
A. To identify the exact fault before commencing repair work
B. To increase the selling price of the device
C. To permanently damage the device
D. To delete all stored data immediately
SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS (40 MARKS)
Instruction: Answer FOUR questions only from this section. All questions carry equal marks (10 marks each).
Note: Full marks per question shown in the marking guide are scaled from 20 to 10 for grading purposes at the examiner’s discretion; institutions may adjust proportionally.
1.
(a) Define computer hardware and state four examples of hardware components.
(b) List five basic tools used by a computer hardware technician and state the use of each.
(c) Explain three precautionary measures a technician should observe before repairing a computer system unit.
2.
(a) State the meaning of GSM.
(b) Explain five common hardware faults found in mobile phones.
(c) Describe the step-by-step procedure for replacing a faulty phone battery.
3.
(a) Differentiate between RAM and ROM.
(b) State four functions of the motherboard in a computer system.
(c) Explain the meaning and importance of POST (Power On Self Test) in a computer.
4.
(a) What is meant by chip-level repair in GSM servicing?
(b) State four tools used in chip-level phone repairs and their functions.
(c) Explain the procedure for diagnosing a phone that does not power on at all.
5.
(a) State five causes of computer overheating.
(b) Explain five effects of overheating on computer hardware.
(c) Describe four preventive measures against computer overheating.
6.
(a) State five safety precautions to observe when repairing electronic devices.
(b) Explain the meaning and use of a multimeter in hardware and GSM repairs.
(c) Describe the procedure for testing a phone’s charging port using a multimeter.
MARKING GUIDE
Section A: Objective Answer Key
| 1. B | 2. C | 3. B | 4. C | 5. B | 6. B |
| 7. B | 8. C | 9. B | 10. B | 11. A | 12. B |
| 13. B | 14. A | 15. A | 16. B | 17. A | 18. B |
| 19. B | 20. A | 21. A | 22. B | 23. B | 24. C |
| 25. B | 26. A | 27. A | 28. B | 29. B | 30. B |
| 31. A | 32. A | 33. A | 34. B | 35. B | 36. A |
| 37. B | 38. A | 39. A | 40. A | 41. A | 42. B |
| 43. A | 44. A | 45. A | 46. B | 47. B | 48. B |
| 49. A | 50. B | 51. A | 52. B | 53. B | 54. B |
| 55. A | 56. B | 57. A | 58. B | 59. B | 60. A |
Section B: Essay Marking Guide
Question 1 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 4 marks: Computer hardware refers to the physical, tangible components of a computer system that can be seen and touched. Examples (1 mark each, any four): Monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU/processor, RAM, motherboard, hard disk, power supply unit, printer.
• (b) 10 marks (2 marks each): Screwdriver set – for opening/closing casing and tightening or loosening screws; Anti-static wrist strap – to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging components; Multimeter – for testing voltage, continuity and resistance; Compressed air/blower – for removing dust from internal components; Thermal paste applicator – for applying thermal paste between CPU and heat sink.
• (c) 6 marks (2 marks each): Switch off and unplug the system from the power source before opening; Wear an anti-static wrist strap to avoid damaging sensitive components; Handle components gently, avoiding unnecessary force; Work in a clean, dry and well-lit environment; Keep track of removed screws and parts to avoid loss.
Question 2 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 2 marks: GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication, a widely used standard for mobile telecommunication that enables voice calls, text messaging and data transmission.
• (b) 10 marks (2 marks each, any five): Cracked/broken screen from a fall or impact; Faulty charging port preventing the phone from charging; Damaged battery that no longer holds charge; Faulty speaker or microphone causing poor audio; Water damage causing corrosion on the PCB; Faulty power button or power IC preventing the phone from switching on.
• (c) 8 marks: Switch off the phone completely before starting; Remove the back cover/casing carefully using appropriate tools; Disconnect the battery connector from the PCB if applicable; Carefully detach the old battery, avoiding damage to the flex cable; Insert the new compatible battery and reconnect the connector; Reassemble the back cover; Power on the phone and confirm it charges and holds charge properly.
Question 3 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 6 marks: RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile, temporary memory that stores data currently being processed and loses its content when power is off. ROM (Read Only Memory) is a non-volatile memory that permanently stores data/instructions (such as firmware) that are not lost when power is off. (3 marks each for correct distinguishing points)
• (b) 8 marks (2 marks each): Provides the platform that connects the CPU, RAM, storage and other peripherals; Distributes power from the PSU to components; Facilitates communication/data transfer between components; Houses expansion slots for additional cards (e.g. graphics card); Holds the BIOS/firmware chip.
• (c) 6 marks: POST is a diagnostic testing sequence run by the computer’s BIOS/firmware immediately after power-on, before the operating system loads. It checks that essential hardware components (RAM, CPU, keyboard, graphics card, etc.) are present and functioning correctly. It is important because it helps detect hardware faults early through error codes or beep sounds, preventing further use of a faulty system and aiding troubleshooting.
Question 4 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 4 marks: Chip-level repair refers to the diagnosis and repair of faults at the component/integrated circuit (IC) level on a phone’s printed circuit board, involving replacing or repairing individual chips rather than the whole board.
• (b) 8 marks (2 marks each): Hot air rework/soldering station – for removing and reflowing/replacing surface-mounted components and ICs; Multimeter – for testing voltage, continuity and resistance on the board; Microscope/magnifying lamp – for viewing tiny components and solder joints clearly; BGA reballing kit – for reballing chips such as the power IC or CPU after removal.
• (c) 8 marks: Visually inspect the phone for physical/water damage; Check the battery for charge and proper connection; Test the charging port and charger for functionality; Use a multimeter to check for short circuits on the power line; Check the power button and its contact points on the PCB; Isolate and test the power IC, which is a common cause of no-power faults; Proceed to jumper the power button or reball/replace the power IC if confirmed faulty.
Question 5 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 10 marks (2 marks each, any five): Dust accumulation blocking airflow and vents; Faulty or malfunctioning cooling fan; Insufficient or dried-out thermal paste between CPU and heat sink; Poor ventilation or placement of the computer in an enclosed space; Running resource-intensive programs for extended periods.
• (b) 10 marks (2 marks each, any five): Random shutdowns or restarts; Reduced processor performance (thermal throttling); Permanent damage to the CPU or other components; Shortened lifespan of hardware components; System instability, freezing or blue screen errors.
• (c) Content spread within the total 20 marks as balanced against (a) and (b); if allocated separately, roughly 2.5 marks each: Regularly clean dust from vents and internal components; Ensure proper ventilation and adequate space around the system unit; Replace/reapply thermal paste periodically; Use additional cooling fans or a cooling pad for laptops; Avoid blocking air vents and avoid overworking the system for prolonged periods.
Question 6 (Total: 20 marks, scaled to 10 marks if used as one of four)
• (a) 10 marks (2 marks each): Always disconnect power/battery before commencing repairs; Use an anti-static wrist strap to prevent ESD damage; Avoid working with wet or sweaty hands near electronic circuits; Use insulated tools appropriately to avoid short circuits; Work in a well-lit, organised and static-free environment.
• (b) 6 marks: A multimeter is an electronic testing instrument used to measure voltage, current and resistance in a circuit. In hardware and GSM repairs, it is used to check for continuity in circuit tracks, test power supply outputs, diagnose short circuits, and confirm whether components such as batteries and charging ports are functioning correctly.
• (c) 4 marks: Set the multimeter to DC voltage or continuity mode as appropriate; Place the probes on the positive and negative terminals of the charging port pins; Observe the reading on the multimeter display; Compare the reading with the expected voltage/continuity value to determine whether the charging port is faulty or functional.
