Computer Architecture Important Questions 2026 | MS University B.Sc CS 2nd Semester

Computer Architecture – Important Questions 2026
April 2026 Exam Prep

Computer Architecture
Important Questions

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University · B.Sc. Computer Science · 2nd Semester
Sub Code: AMCS 42 / CSCS 41 · Analysed from 2023, 2024, 2025 Papers

5Units
3Past Papers
75Max Marks
3 hrsDuration
🔥 HOT — Repeated 3 years
⭐ IMP — Repeated 2 years
📘 MOD — Likely from syllabus

📌 Exam Pattern Reminder

Part A: 10×1 = 10 marks (MCQ) · Part B: 5×5 = 25 marks (Short, ≤250 words) · Part C: 5×8 = 40 marks (Long, ≤600 words). Answer ALL questions. Choose (a) or (b) in Parts B & C.

1
Basic Computer Organisation & Design
Instruction codes · Registers · Instruction cycle · Control Memory
HOT
List and explain the registers of a basic computer. (General purpose & special purpose)
202520242023 Part B/C
HOT
Explain Computer Instruction & Instruction Cycle with neat diagram.
202520242023 Part C Q16
IMP
What are Instruction Codes? Explain with examples.
20242023 Part B Q11
IMP
Discuss about Address Sequencing in Control Memory.
20252023 Part B & C
MOD
Explain Hardwired Control vs Micro Programmed Control with block diagram.
2023 Part B Q11
MOD
What is a Control Word? Explain with example.
2023 Part B Q12
2
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
General register organisation · Stack · Instruction format · Addressing modes · Data transfer
HOT
Draw and explain the Schematic of General Register Organisation of CPU.
202520242023 Part C Q17
HOT
Explain in detail the different types of Addressing Modes with examples.
202520242023 Part B/C
HOT
Describe Stack Organisation and how it is used in computer memory.
202520242023 Part B Q12 / C Q17
IMP
Write notes on Three Address Instruction and Two Address Instruction formats.
20242025 Part B Q12
IMP
How is data transfer and manipulation performed in CPU? Explain.
20242023 Part C Q17
MOD
Explain the Index Register. What is its role in addressing?
2024 Part B Q11(b)
MOD
What is Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)? Explain with example.
2025 Part B Q12(a)
3
Computer Arithmetic
Hardware implementation · Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division algorithms
HOT
Discuss Booth's Multiplication Algorithm in detail with a suitable example.
202520242023 Part C Q18
HOT
Draw flowchart and explain Addition & Subtraction algorithm (including 2's complement).
202520242023 Part C Q18
IMP
Explain Hardware implementation and algorithm for division (including 2's complement division).
20252024 Part B Q13
IMP
What is Floating Point Arithmetic? Explain addition and subtraction with example.
20252024 Part B Q13
MOD
Explain Divide Overflow. What is its significance?
2023 Part B Q13
MOD
Find 2's complement of 13. Perform 1010 + 1110 binary addition.
2024 Part B (numeric problems — always prepare!)
4
Arithmetic & I/O Interface
Floating point · Input/Output interface · DMA · Interrupts · Handshaking
HOT
Explain Direct Memory Access (DMA) and its modes of data transfer in detail.
202520242023 Part C Q19
HOT
Explain Input Interface and Output Interface with neat figures / block diagrams.
202520242023 Part B/C Q14
IMP
Explain Asynchronous Data Transfer and Handshaking method.
20252024 Part C Q19
IMP
Define Priority Interrupts. Discuss the methods of Priority Interrupt handling.
20242025 Part B Q14
MOD
Explain I/O Interface Commands (Input data, Output data, Status, Control).
2023 Part B Q14
MOD
What is Strobe Control method in I/O data transfer? Explain.
2025 Part B Q14(b)
5
Memory Organisation
Memory hierarchy · Main memory · Auxiliary memory · Associative memory · Cache memory · Virtual memory
HOT
What is Cache Memory? Explain its use, organisation and mapping techniques.
202520242023 Part C Q20
HOT
Draw and explain the Memory Hierarchy. Illustrate with a neat diagram.
202520242023 Part B Q15 / C Q20
HOT
Draw Virtual Memory concept diagram and explain Virtual Memory Organisation.
202520242023 Part C Q20
IMP
Define Auxiliary Memory. Explain its types and characteristics.
20242025 Part B Q15
IMP
Draw block diagram of Associative Memory and explain its hardware organisation.
20252023 Part B/C Q15
MOD
Define address space and memory space. Explain their relationship and page replacement.
2025 Part B Q15
★
Part A – Key MCQ Answers (Repeated)
Most frequently asked 1-mark questions across all 3 papers
Fastest computer memory?
→ Register
DMA stands for?
→ Direct Memory Access
Volatile memory (loses data on power off)?
→ Volatile Memory (RAM)
Binary multiplication algorithm?
→ Booth's Algorithm
Memory accessed by content?
→ CAM (Associative Memory)
Booth uses which complement?
→ 2's complement
Cache fills speed gap between?
→ Main memory & CPU
Virtual memory separates?
→ User logical & physical memory
Addressing mode using PC?
→ Relative addressing
Auxiliary memory example?
→ Magnetic disks / Flash memory
ALU provides?
→ Arithmetic & Logic operations
DMA controller is also called?
→ DMA controller

Prepared from past papers: April 2023 (10470E), April 2024 (10515E / 10330E), April 2025 (20086E)

🔥 Focus on HOT topics first · All units equally weighted in Part C · Good luck! 🎯

2 Comments
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous May 9, 2026 at 12:44 PM

    Thanks Anna
    Niga kudutha questions exam la vandhuru ku
    Romba Thanks

    • M. Harisankar
      M. Harisankar May 11, 2026 at 3:31 PM

      Romba nandri 😊 Ungalukku useful ah irundhadhuna romba sandhosham. Exam nalla ezhudhiyiruppeenga nu namburen!

    Reply
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