Computer Architecture Important Questions 2026 | MS University B.Sc CS 2nd Semester
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
ЁЯФе HOT — Repeated 3 years
⭐ IMP — Repeated 2 years
ЁЯУШ MOD — Likely from syllabus
ЁЯУМ 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)
HOT
Explain Computer Instruction & Instruction Cycle with neat diagram.
IMP
What are Instruction Codes? Explain with examples.
IMP
Discuss about Address Sequencing in Control Memory.
MOD
Explain Hardwired Control vs Micro Programmed Control with block diagram.
MOD
What is a Control Word? Explain with example.
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.
HOT
Explain in detail the different types of Addressing Modes with examples.
HOT
Describe Stack Organisation and how it is used in computer memory.
IMP
Write notes on Three Address Instruction and Two Address Instruction formats.
IMP
How is data transfer and manipulation performed in CPU? Explain.
MOD
Explain the Index Register. What is its role in addressing?
MOD
What is Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)? Explain with example.
3
Computer Arithmetic
Hardware implementation · Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division algorithms
HOT
Discuss Booth's Multiplication Algorithm in detail with a suitable example.
HOT
Draw flowchart and explain Addition & Subtraction algorithm (including 2's complement).
IMP
Explain Hardware implementation and algorithm for division (including 2's complement division).
IMP
What is Floating Point Arithmetic? Explain addition and subtraction with example.
MOD
Explain Divide Overflow. What is its significance?
MOD
Find 2's complement of 13. Perform 1010 + 1110 binary addition.
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.
HOT
Explain Input Interface and Output Interface with neat figures / block diagrams.
IMP
Explain Asynchronous Data Transfer and Handshaking method.
IMP
Define Priority Interrupts. Discuss the methods of Priority Interrupt handling.
MOD
Explain I/O Interface Commands (Input data, Output data, Status, Control).
MOD
What is Strobe Control method in I/O data transfer? Explain.
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.
HOT
Draw and explain the Memory Hierarchy. Illustrate with a neat diagram.
HOT
Draw Virtual Memory concept diagram and explain Virtual Memory Organisation.
IMP
Define Auxiliary Memory. Explain its types and characteristics.
IMP
Draw block diagram of Associative Memory and explain its hardware organisation.
MOD
Define address space and memory space. Explain their relationship and page replacement.
★
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
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