30 free ICT practice questions
Covers computer systems, networks, data, software development, information processing, and social implications.
Start with the diagnostic, then open the practice bank
Start one complete 30-question free runner. Questions 1-6 also power the optional diagnostic report, while questions 7-30 remain local practice. Every answer includes an explanation.
Information and Communication Technology
Know what the real Information and Communication Technology assessment includes
AceDSE's free questions are a short multiple-choice diagnostic. They check selected concepts; they are not a past paper, predicted paper, or complete simulation of every assessed skill.
Topic checkpoints mapped to official source boundaries
Use this AceDSE Information and Communication Technology map as a revision index. It is organised within HKEAA and EDB source boundaries, but the official documents remain the final authority.
Information processing, data representation, and systems
Information processing, data representation, and systems belongs to Core ICT knowledge. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Information processing, data representation, and systems using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Information processing, data representation, and systems.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Information processing, data representation, and systems.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Information processing, data representation, and systems using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Information processing, data representation, and systems before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Information processing, data representation, and systems but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities
Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities belongs to Core ICT knowledge. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity
Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity belongs to Core ICT knowledge. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Databases, data organisation, and queries
This module introduces relational database design, SQL querying, and data normalisation. It develops the ability to organise and retrieve information effectively, a critical skill for data-driven applications.
- Draw an ER diagram from a scenario description
- Write efficient SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data
- Normalise a table to 3NF and justify the steps
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Databases, data organisation, and queries.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Databases, data organisation, and queries.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Draw an ER diagram from a scenario description
- Write efficient SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data
- Normalise a table to 3NF and justify the steps
- Identify and resolve data anomalies in a poorly designed database
Practice route
- Create a small database project (e.g., library system) and populate sample data
- Practice writing 10 SQL queries daily on a sandbox database
- Find normalisation exercises online and complete at least 20 problems
- Review past paper Section B database questions and write mark-scheme answers
Weak signals
- Using incorrect JOIN type (e.g., CROSS instead of INNER)
- Forgetting the GROUP BY clause when using aggregate functions
- Confusing 2NF and 3NF violations (transitive dependency)
- Missing foreign key relationships in ER diagrams
- Writing SQL with syntax errors due to missing commas or quotation marks
Problem solving, algorithms, and programming
This module develops computational thinking through programming fundamentals, algorithm design, and debugging. It emphasises logical reasoning and the ability to break down complex problems into manageable steps.
- Trace and dry-run program code to predict output
- Write pseudocode or draw flowcharts for a given problem
- Identify and correct logical and syntax errors in code snippets
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Problem solving, algorithms, and programming.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Problem solving, algorithms, and programming.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Trace and dry-run program code to predict output
- Write pseudocode or draw flowcharts for a given problem
- Identify and correct logical and syntax errors in code snippets
- Compare sorting algorithms in terms of steps and efficiency
Practice route
- Solve at least two programming problems on platforms like LeetCode Easy or equivalent weekly
- Implement bubble sort and binary search from memory
- Exchange code with a study partner for mutual debugging practice
- Create a revision sheet of common loop patterns and their outputs
Weak signals
- Off-by-one errors in loop conditions
- Infinite loops due to incorrect update statements
- Not considering edge cases (e.g., empty list)
- Confusing iteration and recursion for simple problems
- Misunderstanding variable scope leading to unexpected results
Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT
Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT belongs to Core ICT knowledge. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Core ICT knowledge task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Multimedia production and web authoring
This module covers the creation and manipulation of digital media, including text, images, audio, and video, as well as basic web development. It focuses on selecting appropriate formats and applying design principles.
- Evaluate and choose the most suitable file format for a given scenario
- Calculate file sizes before and after compression
- Write basic HTML and CSS to create a simple web page layout
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Multimedia production and web authoring.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Multimedia production and web authoring.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Evaluate and choose the most suitable file format for a given scenario
- Calculate file sizes before and after compression
- Write basic HTML and CSS to create a simple web page layout
- Critique a user interface design based on given principles
Practice route
- Build a personal portfolio website using HTML and CSS, validate with W3C
- Use Audacity to edit an audio clip and export in different formats, comparing file sizes
- Collect examples of good and bad UI designs and note the violations
- Create a comparison table of common multimedia formats and their best use cases
Weak signals
- Choosing BMP for web photos due to ignorance of JPEG compression
- Confusing lossy and lossless compression (e.g., thinking PNG is lossy)
- Writing HTML without closing tags or proper structure
- Ignoring accessibility features like alt text for images
- Calculating file size incorrectly by mixing bits and bytes
Software development and app design
Software development and app design belongs to Applied ICT areas. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Software development and app design using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Applied ICT areas task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Software development and app design.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Software development and app design.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Software development and app design using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Applied ICT areas task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Software development and app design before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Software development and app design but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Data analytics, modelling, and automation
Data analytics, modelling, and automation belongs to Applied ICT areas. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Data analytics, modelling, and automation using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Applied ICT areas task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Data analytics, modelling, and automation.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Data analytics, modelling, and automation.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Data analytics, modelling, and automation using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Applied ICT areas task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Data analytics, modelling, and automation before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Data analytics, modelling, and automation but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Run a timed ICT study block
Pick a short timer, keep the checklist visible, and turn the free questions into a real revision session instead of a quick scroll.
Choose a task, start the timer, then answer without switching tabs.
Information and Communication Technology quick reference
Keep this open while practising so formulas, answer frames, and common checkpoints stay visible.
ICT high-yield checklist
- Information processing, data representation, and systems: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Information processing, data representation, and systems.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Information processing, data representation, and systems.
- Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Computer architecture, operating systems, and utilities.
- Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Networks, internet services, and cybersecurity.
- Databases, data organisation, and queries: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Databases, data organisation, and queries.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Databases, data organisation, and queries.
- Problem solving, algorithms, and programming: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Problem solving, algorithms, and programming.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Problem solving, algorithms, and programming.
- Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT: Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT.; Practise common HKDSE question formats for Ethical, legal, and social implications of ICT.
Answer routine
- Read the command word, underline evidence, plan the answer route, then check the final wording.
- For calculation or data tasks, show units, assumptions, working, and final interpretation.
- For essay or explanation tasks, use point, evidence, explanation, and judgement.
Build a ICT plan for this week
Choose your weakest topic and available time. AceDSE will turn the syllabus map into a simple 7-day route you can start immediately.
The plan combines concept review, free diagnostic questions and mistake logging. Consider a reviewed guided route only when it is available and the same weakness repeats.