KU BEd & ADE Applications of ICT Important Topics for 2026 Exam
About This Note
This note lists the topics you should prepare for the 2026 Karachi University Applications of ICT exam. Each topic is linked to the study guide article that explains it. Use the linked articles to revise, then practice writing answers in your own words.
Exam Structure
The 2026 paper will be held at the University of Karachi. There will be no MCQs. The paper will have two sections only.
| Course | Applications of ICT |
| Programs | Bachelor of Education (BEd Hons, 4-year program) and Associate Degree of Education (ADE) |
| University | Karachi University (UoK) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Total Marks | 60 |
| Section A | Short Question and Answer, 40 marks |
| Section B | Long Question and Answer, 20 marks |
Section A: Short Question and Answer (40 Marks)
- Each question is of 5 marks.
- You have to attempt 8 questions.
- There are choices in this section, so you can pick the questions you are most confident about.
Section B: Long Question and Answer (20 Marks)
- Each question is of 10 marks.
- You have to attempt 2 questions.
How to Use This Topic List
This list shows the topics the paper is expected to cover.
It does not promise that the questions will appear in the same wording. The examiner can frame a question on any of these topics in any form.
Read each topic with understanding. Use your own analytical and critical thinking when you answer in the exam.
Topics to Prepare
The topics below are grouped by subject area. Each topic links to the article that covers it. Open the link, study the article, then close the page and write the answer in your own words to check your recall.
1. Hardware and Computer Basics
Generations of Computers
Be ready to name each generation, the technology it used, and one advantage or one problem of that generation.
The Five Generations of Computers
Types of Computer by Size
Mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer. Know what each is, who uses it, and one example of each.
Classification of Computers by Size
Types of Computer by Data Handling
Digital, analog, and hybrid computers. Know the definition, one or two examples, and where each is used.
Classification of Computers by Data Handling (Analog, Digital, Hybrid)
Role of the Motherboard
What the motherboard is, and what parts of the computer connect to it.
RAM
What RAM is, why it is needed, and the fact that it loses data when power is off.
ROM
What ROM is, what it stores, and how it differs from RAM.
Primary Storage vs Secondary Storage
The difference between primary and secondary storage, with one or two examples of each.
2. Networking
Types of Network (LAN, WAN)
Define LAN. Define WAN. Give one or two examples of where each is used. Be ready to write the differences in a table.
3. Software and Operating Systems
Operating System
What an operating system is, and one or two common examples (Windows, Android, macOS, Linux).
Functions of an Operating System
Be ready to list and explain at least five functions. Examples are user interface, process management, memory management, file management, and security.
4. Internet and the Web
World Wide Web
Define the World Wide Web. Mention who started it and the year it became public.
World Wide Web vs Internet
These are not the same thing. The Internet is the network of computers. The Web is one service that runs on top of it. Be ready to write the difference.
Web Browser
What a browser is. Name three or four browsers. List five functions of a browser.
Uses of the Internet
Be ready to write 8 to 10 uses of the internet. The question can be asked in two ways: uses in daily life, or uses in education. Prepare both.
Search Engines
What a search engine is. Name three search engines. State its purpose.
Search Engines Explained: What They Are, Examples, and Their Functions
5. Office and Productivity Tools
MS Word
What word processing software is. One example. One use in the classroom.
MS PowerPoint
What PowerPoint is. Be ready to list advantages of using multimedia presentations in teaching.
Excel Formulas
Know the purpose of common formulas: SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, COUNT, COUNTA. Be ready to write the formula and explain what it does.
6. Social Media and Communication Apps
WhatsApp, Google Meet, and Zoom
What each app does, and how it is used in education. Be ready to list 8 to 10 uses for a 10-mark question.
Using Communication Apps Like WhatsApp, Discord, Google Meet and Zoom in Education
Applications of Social Media Platforms
How social media is used for learning, sharing information, and connecting with others. Be ready to name specific platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) and how each is used in education.
7. Ethics
Ethics of Using Computers
What computer ethics are. Be ready to write five rules of ethical computer use. Topics include plagiarism, respecting privacy, not stealing software, and not harming others online.
How to Prepare
- Open each linked article and read it carefully.
- Note down the key points in your own words.
- Practice writing short answers (3 to 4 sentences) and long answers (10 points or one page).
- Solve the 2025 paper and the 2022 and 2023 paper as mock tests before the exam.
Keep Your Answers Short and Direct
This is a technical subject. Examiners want correct facts and specific examples.
Do not pad your answer. If the question asks for five examples, give exactly five.
If it asks for a definition, give a clean one-line definition first, then add a short explanation.