Hardware & Software: Complete Guide for Aptitude Preparation (2025)

In computer fundamentals, Hardware and Software are the backbone of any system. Almost every competitive exam or job assessment includes basic computer knowledge questions, and a clear understanding of hardware and software will help you solve them quickly.

In this guide, we’ll cover the concepts, examples, solved MCQs, and practice questions you need to master this topic for exams like SSC, Banking, UPSC, CAT, GRE, GATE, and more.

What is Hardware?

Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer that you can touch and see.

Examples of Hardware:

• Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner
• Output Devices: Monitor, Printer, Speakers
• Storage Devices: Hard Disk, SSD, Pen Drive
• Processing Unit: CPU, GPU
• Memory: RAM, ROM

What is Software?

Software is a collection of instructions or programs that tells the computer what to do. Unlike hardware, software cannot be touched.

Types of Software:

1. System Software: Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), Device Drivers
2. Application Software: MS Word, Excel, Chrome, Photoshop
3. Utility Software: Antivirus, Compression Tools, Disk Cleanup

Difference Between Hardware & Software

Solved Examples

Example 1:
Which of the following is hardware?

• (a) Windows
• (b) Printer
• (c) Antivirus
• (d) MS Excel

Answer: (b) Printer

Example 2:
Which type of software is an operating system?

• (a) Application Software
• (b) Utility Software
• (c) System Software
• (d) Firmware

Answer: (c) System Software

Practice Questions

1. RAM belongs to which category?
   (a) Input device
   (b) Output device
   (c) Storage device
   (d) Processing unit

2. Which one is NOT an application software?
   (a) MS Word
   (b) Chrome
   (c) Photoshop
   (d) BIOS

3. Device drivers are an example of:
   (a) Application Software
   (b) System Software
   (c) Utility Software
   (d) Hardware

Tips to Master Hardware & Software Questions

• Memorize examples of input/output devices.
• Understand the difference between system, application, and utility software.
• Solve previous years’ computer awareness questions.
• Practice MCQs daily for speed and accuracy.

FAQs:

Q1. What is firmware?
Firmware is a type of software stored in hardware (like BIOS) that controls basic device functions.

Q2. Is RAM hardware or software?
RAM is hardware because it is a physical component of the computer.

Q3. Which is more important: Hardware or Software?
Both are equally important — hardware provides the structure, while software provides functionality.

Next Topic: Operating Systems – Concepts & MCQs