• 100 questions

IC3 Certification Practice Test

Questions on the seven IC3 Digital Literacy domains, marked Level 1, 2 or 3, each linked to its public source.

Which Windows keyboard shortcut switches between open windows?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 50 questions, 50 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with Certiport or Pearson VUE. Bank checked October 9, 2026.

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All 100 questions

Technology Basics 23

  • A home Wi-Fi connection has dropped. After unplugging the modem and the router, which does Microsoft's guide say to plug back in first? Microsoft Support: Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
  • A keyboard, a mouse and a printer can all use the same standard cable and connector. Which standard is it? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Universal Serial Bus (USB)
  • A program at version 2.4.1 gets a release that only fixes bugs and stays backward compatible. Under Semantic Versioning, what is the new version? Semantic Versioning 2.0.0: Summary
  • A school uses web-based email that the provider runs; the school manages no servers or operating systems. Which cloud service model is this? NIST Special Publication 800-145, The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, section 2
  • A software license bans use of the program in any business. Can it meet the Open Source Definition? Open Source Initiative: The Open Source Definition
  • A Windows laptop cannot connect to any Wi-Fi network. Which setting does Microsoft's guide say to make sure is turned off? Microsoft Support: Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
  • How many bits are in one byte? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Byte
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Technology Basics, continued

  • In NIST's definition of cloud computing, which characteristic lets a customer add storage without contacting a person at the provider? NIST Special Publication 800-145, The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, section 2
  • In the address http://www.example.com/index.html, what does the http part name? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Uniform Resource Locator
  • Storage makers use the SI prefix giga. By that definition, how many bytes are in one gigabyte (GB)? NIST: Prefixes for binary multiples
  • Under the Open Source Definition, what must an open source program include? Open Source Initiative: The Open Source Definition
  • What does the modem do in a home internet connection? MDN Web Docs: How does the Internet work?
  • What is a web browser? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Web Browser
  • What is end-of-life (EOL) software? CISA: Understanding Patches and Software Updates
  • What kind of connection is Bluetooth? CISA: Understanding Bluetooth Technology
  • What makes computer memory volatile? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Volatile Memory
  • Which describes a solid-state drive (SSD)? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Solid-State Drive
  • Which device connects separate local networks and forwards messages between them by IP address? MDN Web Docs: How does the Internet work?
  • Which device lets wireless devices join a wired network? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: wireless access point (WAP)
  • Which software is the first program loaded when a computer is turned on and then runs the computer? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: operating system
  • Which type of network usually spreads over the largest geographic area? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: wide area network
  • Which Windows keyboard shortcut switches between open windows? Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
  • You want a colleague to see when you are busy on your Google Calendar, but not what the events are. Which permission does that? Google Calendar Help: Share your calendar

Digital Citizenship 12

  • A friend sent you a personal message that you would like to repost to a group. What does RFC 1855 say to do first? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • A message has made you angry. What does RFC 1855 advise before you send an emotional reply? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • A post makes a surprising claim. What does CISA's advice to be skeptical say to do before acting on it? CISA: Staying Safe on Social Networking Sites
  • By RFC 1855, how does a message typed entirely in capital letters come across? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • Someone sends hostile messages to provoke you. What does CISA say responding with hostility is likely to do? CISA: Dealing with Cyberbullies
  • What does CISA say about the sense of anonymity people have online? CISA: Guidelines for Publishing Information Online
  • Which describes personally identifiable information (PII)? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: personally identifiable information
  • Why does CISA say to review a social site's security and privacy settings regularly? CISA: Staying Safe on Social Networking Sites
  • With a password manager, how many strong passwords does CISA say you need to remember? CISA, Secure Our World: Use Strong Passwords
  • You are being harassed online. What does CISA say to keep? CISA: Dealing with Cyberbullies
  • You are writing to readers in several countries. Which does RFC 1855 warn may not travel well? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • You remove a post an hour after publishing it. What does CISA say may still exist? CISA: Staying Safe on Social Networking Sites

Information Management 10

  • A photo is shared under the CC BY license. What must anyone who reuses it do? Creative Commons: The CC Licenses
  • A web article quotes statistics but names no sources. Which of the UC Berkeley Library's criteria does it fail? UC Berkeley Library: Evaluating Resources
  • How do you make Google Search match an exact phrase? Google Search Help: Refine Google searches
  • In a library database, what does joining two search terms with AND do? MIT Libraries: Database Search Tips, Boolean operators
  • In Chrome on Windows, which shortcut finds a word on the page you have open? Google Chrome Help: Search the web in Chrome
  • What does a creator do by applying CC0 to a work? Creative Commons: CC0
  • Which Boolean operator broadens a search by accepting any one of several synonyms? MIT Libraries: Database Search Tips, Boolean operators
  • Which Creative Commons license allows noncommercial use only? Creative Commons: The CC Licenses
  • Which Google search leaves out results that mention the word recipe? Google Search Help: Refine Google searches
  • You are judging a source by the UC Berkeley Library's criteria. Which question tests its authority? UC Berkeley Library: Evaluating Resources

Content Creation 24

  • A company wants to protect the name and logo that identify its products. Which kind of intellectual property fits? U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright in General (FAQ)
  • An Excel formula in cell C5 uses the reference $B$2. The formula is copied down to C6. What does the reference become? Microsoft Support: Overview of formulas in Excel
  • An image in a document is pure decoration. What does Section508.gov say to do with it? Section508.gov: Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text
  • Below which font size do Microsoft's presentation tips say to try not to go on a slide? Microsoft Support: Tips for creating and delivering an effective presentation
  • Does U.S. copyright protect facts and ideas? U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright in General (FAQ)
  • In a basic flowchart, what does the Decision shape mark? Microsoft Support: Create a basic flowchart in Visio
  • In Microsoft 365, version history works only for files stored in which places? Microsoft Support: View previous versions of Office files
  • In Word's Track Changes, which view hides the markup and shows the document with the changes incorporated? Microsoft Support: Track changes in Word
  • On Windows, which shortcut undoes the last typing? Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
  • What contrast ratio must regular text have against its background, by the rule Section508.gov cites? Section508.gov: Making Color Usage Accessible
  • What does Word use when it builds an automatic table of contents? Microsoft Support: Insert a table of contents
  • What is a backup? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: backup
  • What is alt text? Section508.gov: Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text
  • What is duplex printing? Microsoft Support: Print on both sides of the paper (duplex printing) in Word
  • What is plagiarism, as MIT's Academic Integrity handbook describes it? Academic Integrity at MIT: What is Plagiarism?
  • When does U.S. copyright protection of an original work begin? U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright in General (FAQ)
  • Where does CISA say to keep the backups of files that are on a laptop? CISA: Protecting Portable Devices: Physical Security
  • Which character does every Excel formula begin with? Microsoft Support: Overview of formulas in Excel
  • Which chart shows each item's size as a share of the whole? Microsoft Support: Available chart types in Office
  • Which image format is a vector format, ideal for icons and diagrams drawn at different sizes? MDN Web Docs: Image file type and format guide
  • Which of these would need a citation, by MIT's handbook on common knowledge? Academic Integrity at MIT: What is Common Knowledge?
  • You copy a sentence word for word from a book into a report. What does MIT's handbook require? Academic Integrity at MIT: What is Plagiarism?
  • You want to show how monthly sales changed over two years. Which chart does Microsoft call ideal for trends at equal intervals? Microsoft Support: Available chart types in Office
  • You zip a folder of JPEG photos and it is hardly any smaller. Why? Microsoft Support: Zip and unzip files

Communication 10

  • A group email thread has turned into an exchange between two people. What does RFC 1855 say about the others on the Cc line? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • By RFC 1855, what should the subject heading of an email do? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • RFC 1855 says a mail message should hold nothing that you would not write on what? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • When you reply to an email, how much of the original message does RFC 1855 say to include? RFC 1855, Netiquette Guidelines, section 2.1.1
  • Which email option sends your answer to the sender and to everyone on the To and Cc lines? Microsoft Support: Reply to or forward an email message in classic Outlook
  • Which signs does CISA give that a shopping site will encrypt the information you send? CISA: Shopping Safely Online
  • Which word does the 18F content guide say to avoid for a mixed-gender group? 18F Content Guide: Inclusive language
  • Why does CISA advise paying online with a credit card and not a debit card? CISA: Shopping Safely Online
  • You are writing about a hypothetical user whose pronouns you do not know. Which wording does the 18F content guide recommend? 18F Content Guide: Inclusive language
  • You need to send a message you received, with its attachments, to a colleague who was not on it. Which option includes the attachments automatically? Microsoft Support: Reply to or forward an email message in classic Outlook

Collaboration 7

  • A co-author made changes to a shared file that nobody wanted. Which Microsoft 365 feature lets the team return to an earlier state of the file? Microsoft Support: View previous versions of Office files
  • In Word's All Markup view, how are the tracked changes of different reviewers told apart? Microsoft Support: Track changes in Word
  • What does Microsoft call several people working on one document at the same time? Microsoft Support: Document collaboration and co-authoring
  • What makes communication asynchronous? ERIC Thesaurus: Asynchronous Communication
  • Which is needed before several people can co-author an Office document? Microsoft Support: Document collaboration and co-authoring
  • Which of these is synchronous communication? ERIC Thesaurus: Synchronous Communication
  • You edit a shared document while offline, and others are editing it online. When can they see your changes? Microsoft Support: Document collaboration and co-authoring

Safety and Security 14

  • A calculator app asks for your camera, your contacts and your microphone. What does CISA advise when a permissions request seems excessive? CISA: Privacy and Mobile Device Apps
  • A message looks like phishing. After reporting it, what does CISA say to do? CISA, Secure Our World: Recognize and Report Phishing
  • Before giving away a computer, you delete your files and empty the trash. What does CISA say about those files? CISA: Proper Disposal of Electronic Devices
  • Before recycling old electronics, what does the EPA say to do with their batteries? US EPA: Electronics Donation and Recycling
  • Encryption transforms readable data into what? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: encryption
  • How long does CISA say a strong password should be? CISA, Secure Our World: Use Strong Passwords
  • What is a cookie? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: cookie
  • What is universal design? Section508.gov: Universal Design and Accessibility
  • Which kind of malware appears to have a useful function but hides a malicious one? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: Trojan horse
  • Which pair is two different authentication factors? NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary: multi-factor authentication
  • Which Windows shortcut locks your PC when you step away? Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
  • While you browse in Chrome's Incognito mode, who may still be able to observe your activity? Google Chrome Help: Browse in Incognito mode
  • Why can antivirus software miss a brand-new piece of malware? CISA: Understanding Anti-Virus Software
  • You find a USB drive in a parking lot. What does CISA say to do with it? CISA: Using Caution with USB Drives

How this list was compiled: Own questions, written to the seven objective domains of IC3 Digital Literacy Global Standard 6 (GS6) as Certiport publishes them for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/IC3/Digital-Literacy-Certification/Certify/IC3-Global-Standard-6 and the three objective domain documents it links to (read 2026-10-09). Facts were read on 2026-10-09 in public texts: the NIST glossary and publications, CISA guidance pages, RFC 1855, the U.S. Copyright Office, Creative Commons, Section508.gov, the EPA, university library guides and the public help pages of the software a question names. Each question names the page it was written from and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from Certiport's published objective domains and the public pages named in each question. Nothing is copied or reworded from an IC3 exam, a Certiport sample exam, a practice product or a question dump.

How it works

This unofficial IC3 certification practice test has 100 of our own questions on the seven domains of IC3 Digital Literacy Global Standard 6. It is not affiliated with Certiport or Pearson VUE, and no question comes from a real exam.

Read the full guide

What the IC3 GS6 exams cover

Certiport's Global Standard 6 page, read on October 9, 2026, sets three exams, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, each with its own certificate. All three test the same seven domains: technology basics, digital citizenship, information management, content creation, communication, collaboration, and safety and security. Certiport publishes no domain weights, so each domain's share here follows its share of the published objectives.

What this bank leaves out

Every question is multiple choice with one right answer, and its explanation starts with the level and the objective it practices. The health objectives of the safety domain are not asked.

  • A gigabyte is 1,000,000,000 bytes. The binary unit of 1,073,741,824 bytes is the gibibyte.
  • Reply answers the sender only. Forward is the option that carries the original attachments.
  • Emptying the trash does not erase a file: the data is still on the device.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the IC3 exam?

Each of the three GS6 exams has 45 to 50 questions and lasts 50 minutes, by Certiport's exam lengths page. Exam mode here draws 50 questions on a 50-minute clock.

What is the passing score for the IC3 exam?

Certiport's scoring policy puts the passing value at 700 on a scale of 1 to 1000. A scaled score is not a percent, so no score on this page tells you whether you would pass.

Is this an IC3 GS5 or GS6 practice test?

GS6, which Certiport calls the latest version. The GS5 exams were Computing Fundamentals, Living Online and Key Applications. Certiport retired the simulated GS5 exams on December 31, 2025 and still offers the selected-response ones in limited languages.

Does IC3 certification expire?

No. Certiport's certification expiration page lists IC3 Digital Literacy as a certification that does not expire.

Is this IC3 practice test free?

Yes. All 100 questions and their explanations are free, with no account.

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