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Software Engineering · All 2025 papers

51 questions · 200 marks · 2 papers

Answer key

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper

Software Engineering

All 2025 papers

Official Paper

Examination Instructions & Guidelines

Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
MSQ: One or more options correct. Select all to score.
Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.

End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (FN)End Term

Q1MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A software company is preparing to launch a new product that collects user data. Who should be responsible for ensuring that the company’s privacy policies comply with regulations?
1. AData Scientists
2. BEthics and Policy Specialists
3. CEngineering Managers
4. DSupport Team
Q2MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A junior developer is stuck on a programming issue and needs guidance. The developer prefers a platform where experienced professionals can provide solutions, along with links to additional learning resources. Which platform should the developer use?
1. ASlack
2. BStack Overflow
3. CGitHub Pages
4. DJIRA
Q3MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A growing e-commerce startup is looking for an infrastructure solution that provides the highest performance for its online store. Cost is not a concern, but they need complete control over their servers. Which hosting option should they choose?
1. ABare Metal Servers
2. BInfrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
3. CPlatform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
4. DNone of these
Q4MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A developer is implementing a sorting function for an e-commerce platform to arrange products by price efficiently. Which design aspect does this involve?
1. AComponents
2. BInterfaces
3. CData structures
4. DAlgorithms
Q5MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A software development team is working on an AI-powered chatbot for customer service. However, they realize late in the development process that the third-party AI module they integrated does not support some key languages their client requires. What type of risk does this represent?
1. ABusiness Risk
2. BProject Risk
3. CTechnical Risk
4. DNone of these
Q6MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
During a software development project, the team completes a sprint and demonstrates the work done to stakeholders. Which Agile event is this?
1. ASprint Planning
2. BSprint Retrospective
3. CSprint Review
4. DBacklog Analysis
Q7MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A mobile payment app refers to adding money as "Charging Wallet" instead of "Add Money." Users find this term confusing. Which heuristic is being violated?
1. AFreedom to Explore
2. BUse Familiar Languages and Metaphors
3. CPrevent Errors
4. DShow Status
Q8MCQ3 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A researcher is trying to understand how warehouse employees manage inventory updates in real time. They shadow employees, take notes, and ask clarifying questions while observing daily operations. Which technique is being applied here?
1. AQuestionnaires
2. BInterviews
3. CNaturalistic Observations
4. DFocus Groups
Q9MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
Q10MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Which of the following is a problem with the Big Bang approach of integration technique?
1. ARequires drivers and stubs
2. BDifficult to localize errors
3. CCan only be used for large systems
4. DRequires bottom-up testing first
Q11MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A test engineer runs a small set of basic test cases to verify that the core functionalities of a newly deployed application are working before conducting further testing. What type of testing is this?
1. APerformance Testing
2. BBeta Testing
3. CSmoke Testing
4. DAcceptance Testing
Q12MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. AFactory Pattern
2. BBuilder Pattern
3. CFacade Pattern
4. DAdapter Pattern
Q13MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
An organization is developing a collaborative document editing system where multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously. The system must operate without relying on a central server or any form of centralized control, ensuring direct communication among users. Which architectural style best fits this requirement?
1. AClient-Server
2. BPipe and Filter
3. CPeer-to-Peer
4. DModel-View-Controller
Q14MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A software company wants to build a structured and maintainable web application efficiently. Which of the following would be the best option for them?
1. AUsing a basic text editor
2. BWriting everything from scratch without any pre-built structure
3. CUsing a web application framework like Flask
4. DAvoiding frameworks to reduce dependencies
Q15MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Bhavya is trying to understand why a variable in his Python program is getting the wrong value at a certain point. He decides to insert print statements in the code to check intermediate values. Which debugging technique is he using?
1. AStepping in a debugger
2. BLogging
3. CProfiling
4. DDump & Diff
Q16MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. AData Coupling
2. BControl Coupling
3. CCommon Coupling
4. DContent Coupling
Q17MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. ASequential Cohesion
2. BFunctional Cohesion
3. CCommunicational Cohesion
4. DProcedural Cohesion
Q18MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
Q19MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A software company is estimating the cost and effort required for developing a new inventory management system. The project manager decides to consult senior developers who have worked on similar projects before to get an estimate. Which estimation technique is being used?
1. ACOCOMO Model
2. BExpert Judgement
3. CDelphi Technique
4. DHeuristic Estimation
Q20MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A retail website optimizes its checkout process by reducing the number of steps from product selection to payment confirmation. Users can now complete a purchase with a single click if they have saved their payment details. What usability factor is being improved?
1. ASafety
2. BLearnability
3. CEfficiency
4. DMemorability
Q21MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
The development team updates a user story as follows: Before: "As an admin, I want to generate reports on user activity." After: "As an admin, I want to generate a daily report of user logins and purchases, formatted as a downloadable CSV file." Which SMART characteristic is best addressed in this improvement?
1. AAchievable
2. BMeasurable
3. CTimeboxed
4. DRelevant
Q22MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
A company is releasing a major update to its web application. What are the benefits of using a staging environment before production deployment?
1. AIt helps identify configuration issues before going live
2. BIt allows users to interact with new features in a real environment
3. CIt prevents performance testing before making the application live
4. DIt ensures that the production environment remains stable
Q23MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
Which of the following statements about Versioned Deployment are true?
1. AUsers can choose which version they want
2. BOnly the latest version is kept alive
3. COlder versions are removed immediately after an update
4. DRequires maintaining multiple versions
Q24MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
Which of the following tasks are best suited for task queues?
1. ASending bulk notifications to users
2. BRendering a webpage with static content
3. CProcessing large database updates asynchronously
4. DExecuting HTTP requests in real-time
Q25MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
Read the passage below, then answer Q26–Q27
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q26MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
Identify the set(s) of valid test cases for branch coverage.
1. A{temperature = 0, temperature = 100}
2. B{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 50}
3. C{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 50, temperature = 105}
4. D{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 100, temperature = 50, temperature = 0}
Q27MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
Identify the set(s) of valid test cases for multiple condition coverage.
1. A{temperature = 0, temperature = 100}
2. B{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 50}
3. C{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 50, temperature = 105}
4. D{temperature = -5, temperature = 20, temperature = 100, temperature = 50, temperature = 0}

Quiz 2 · 3 Aug 2025 (AN)Quiz 2

Q28MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. AA–1, B–2, C–3
2. BA–3, B–1, C–2
3. CA–2, B–3, C–1
4. DA–1, B–3, C–2
Q29MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
You're tasked with building a digital wallet feature for an e-commerce platform. Your team suggests directly looking into how similar apps like Paytm and PhonePe work. Which of the following best describes the activity being performed?
1. ASoftware Testing
2. BRequirements Analysis
3. CCode Optimization
4. DAlpha Testing
Q30MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
You are developing an online education platform. Professors use the system to upload materials, students access the content, and the university’s accreditation body occasionally reviews course reports generated from the system. Which of the following correctly categorizes the stakeholders?
1. AProfessors – Primary users; Students – Secondary users; Accreditation body – Tertiary users
2. BProfessors – Secondary users; Students – Primary users; Accreditation body – Tertiary users
3. CProfessors – Primary users; Students – Primary users; Accreditation body – Tertiary users
4. DProfessors – Tertiary users; Students – Secondary users; Accreditation body – Primary users
Q31MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
One stakeholder wants user passwords to expire every 30 days. Another insists users must not be forced to change passwords more than once a year. What kind of requirement issue is this?
1. AIncomplete
2. BAmbiguous
3. CInconsistent
4. DImplicit
Q32MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. AWorking software is the primary measure of progress
2. BCustomer collaboration over contract negotiation
3. CProcesses and tools over individuals and interactions
4. DFollowing a plan over responding to change
Q33MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
While designing the seller portal's financial features, your team needs to comply with local banking regulations on fund transfers. You refer to official banking policies and competitor portal FAQs. Which requirement gathering technique does this illustrate?
1. AFocus group
2. BObservation
3. CDocumentation
4. DInterview
Q34MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. AMeasurable
2. BSpecific
3. CTime-boxed
4. DRelevant
Q35MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A startup is developing an app for food delivery. They’ve created clickable images of app screens using PowerPoint and ask users to try placing a test order. What kind of prototype is being used?
1. AStoryboard
2. BPaper prototype
3. CDigital mock-up
4. DInteractive prototype
Q36MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A Scrum team has assigned point values to each user story. In their first sprint, they completed 2 stories totaling 5 points. What is the estimated velocity of the team?
1. A2
2. B5
3. C2.5
4. D10
Q37MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
A company develops a mobile game for low-end devices. During design, the team restricts image resolution and optimizes memory usage by reusing textures. Which quality of good design is being prioritized here?
1. AUnderstandability
2. BMaintainability
3. CEfficiency
4. DScalability
Q38MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A programmer is working with a third-party Python API for image processing. Their code compiles, but the output image is not what they expected. They cannot see or change the library’s internal code. Which debugging technique should they use?
1. AStep into each function using PDB
2. BForward debugging to trace internal logic
3. CBlack box debugging using documentation and examples
4. DDump and diff comparison between images
Q39MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. A2
2. B3
3. C4
4. D5
Q40MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A file-sharing system allows users to both download and upload files from / to other users without relying on any central server. Each user system shares a part of their storage. What architecture is being described?
1. AClient-Server
2. BModel-View-Controller
3. CPipe and Filter
4. DPeer-to-Peer (P2P)
Q41MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. ASingle responsibility principle
2. BInterface segregation principle
3. COpen-closed principle
4. DLiskov substitution principle
Q42MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
1. ABuilder design pattern
2. BAdapter Pattern
3. CFacade Pattern
4. DStrategy design pattern
Q43MCQ5 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Your team developed a system over 12 months using a strict sequential process. After the final release, the client expresses dissatisfaction due to misunderstood requirements. What was the likely development model?
1. AAgile
2. BSpiral
3. CWaterfall
4. DPrototype
Q44MCQ5 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
In an e-commerce system, the SellerModule calls a function in the InventoryModule using a variable operationFlag to decide whether to view, add, or delete a product. Which type of coupling is present?
1. AControl Coupling
2. BContent Coupling
3. CData Coupling
4. DCommon Coupling
Q45MSQ5 Marks·Choose all correct options
Asked 2 times Key ↓
In an online seller portal, the Seller class uses the Inventory class’s viewInventory(sellerID) method to fetch the list of products. Additionally, the Inventory class implements an interface InventoryInterface that defines standard inventory operations. Which of the following relationships can be identified from this scenario?
1. ASeller and Inventory have an inheritance relationship
2. BSeller and Inventory have an association relationship
3. CInventory and InventoryInterface have a dependency relationship
4. DSeller and InventoryInterface have a composition relationship
Q46MSQ5 Marks·Choose all correct options
Asked 2 times Key ↓
A team is designing a new tax filing software for first-time users. Which of the following features would most likely improve the learnability of their system?
1. AStep-by-step wizard that guides users through each section
2. BAbility to undo recent entries using a shortcut
3. CTemplates for common user profiles (e.g., salaried, freelancer)
4. DStrong password requirement with special characters and numbers
Q47MSQ4 Marks·Choose all correct options
Key ↓
In a distributed software development environment, why is it important to define interfaces clearly before implementing components?
1. AIt ensures that all teams use the same programming language for implementation.
2. BIt helps maintain consistent communication between components developed by different team members.
3. CIt allows the internal implementation of a component to change without affecting others.
4. DIt eliminates the need for documentation, since the code is self-explanatory.
Read the passage below, then answer Q48–Q49
A module in your project depends on a third-party payment gateway. During testing, you discover it is not functioning properly due to a known bug in the vendor’s code.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q48MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Based on the scenario, which category does this risk most appropriately fall under?
1. ABusiness risk
2. BTechnical risk
3. CProject risk
4. DLegal risk
Q49MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
What is the most suitable way to mitigate the risk described in the scenario?
1. AConduct user feedback surveys
2. BIncrease the project budget to cover delays
3. CBenchmark and conduct regular inspections of third-party components
4. DAsk developers to avoid using third-party modules altogether
Read the passage below, then answer Q50–Q51
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q50MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
What is the estimated initial effort for the dashboard system?
1. A18.6 person-months
2. B22.3 person-months
3. C23.5 person-months
4. D25.0 person-months
Q51MCQ4 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
1. A32.425
2. B25.38
3. C28.97
4. D90.304

Official Key

Master Answer Key & Explanations

Official answer keys from IIT Madras BS past papers. Click any question to review.

Reveal Key

Q1B

Q2B

Q3A

Q4D

Q5C

Q6C

Q7B

Q8C

Q9B

Q10B

Q11C

Q12B

Q13C

Q14C

Q15B

Q16B

Q17C

Q18B

Q19B

Q20C

Q21B

Q22A, D

Q23A, D

Q24A, C

Q25B, C

Q26B, C, D

Q27C

Q28B

Q29B

Q30C

Q31C

Q32B

Q33C

Q34C

Q35C

Q36B

Q37C

Q38C

Q39C

Q40D

Q41B

Q42C

Q43C

Q44A

Q45B, C

Q46A, C

Q47B, C

Q48B

Q49C

Q50B

Q51C

Questions and answer keys are reproduced from the official IIT Madras BS papers. BTechi is not affiliated with IIT Madras.